DISPLACED is an independent action movie that aims mighty high. It combines an ambitious sci-fi tale with martial arts and gunplay action, along with fast moving and stylized direction and editing akin to the BOURNE films. What it lacks in big-scale budget or star power, the film attempts to make up for with driving momentum and relative complexity above standard low-budget action standards.

The movie began as a short film and grew increasingly ambitious over time. This might explain why structurally it is like a huge, sagging house that has had too many patchwork additions made to it. There are a number of compelling elements in the movie and Martin Holland’s direction is definitely energetic. Unfortunately, Holland went with the everything-and-the-kitchen-sink approach, leaving the viewer to stumble through a series of poorly-developed subplots and insubstantial, over-edited action sequences.

Quite simply, Holland has put more in this movie than he can handle. It’s more than most independent filmmakers could handle. I respect his willingness to try something large-scale on a budget but the end product appears poorly planned, as if we’re looking at ideas for several movies lumped together for the hell of it. The opening is filled with images of flying saucers and DR. WHO-inspired alien costumes suggesting we’re about to see a regular sci-fi movie. Sir Ian McKellen provides pro narration for this segment. Let it not be said that McKellen isn’t game for supporting his country’s independent film industry.

From here, the movie shifts gears to become more of an action thriller as we meet our heroes. Producer and action director Mark Strange plays Stel, a martial arts-fighting alien who teams up with a human army private (Malcolm Hankey) to track down alien tech secrets being held by a covert military unit. Stel is also supposed to be looking for his missing father but that appears to have been one addition Holland couldn’t fit in the movie.

At this point I was ready to experience a stream of fish-out-of-water, buddy clichés but the script is unable to maintain focus long enough for more than a few token elements where Hankey vainly tries to give the movie an ounce of humanity beyond the dominate conventions of smirking assassins, masked super soldiers and an emotionless alien. Strange and Hankey are not even the main characters. They actually get pushed to the side for roughly half of the running time by Wilson (Graham Brownsmith), a rogue covert army officer who tries to steal the alien tech secrets and ends up the target of a masked super soldier, also played by Mark Strange. The script is structurally flawed because it gives Wilson, the main villain, all of the challenges. He’s the one running from both super soldiers and Stel. It is Wilson who struggles the most and is most likely elicit empathy from the viewer. That never happens though because Brownsmith plays him as a sterile character lacking motivations beyond basic greed.

Half way through the movie it is pretty hard to tell just what I am watching. I get the impression that Holland was going for a TRAFFIC-style narrative that applies multiple perspectives to a genre story. If so, it didn’t work. I feel no connection to any of the characters and odd stuff just happens with no logic or lead-in to support it. For example, Hankey’s character has virtually nothing to do with the action. He’s the everyman character that the audience is supposed to relate to. Towards the end he is hiding on top of a cargo container while his buddy Stel is off somewhere fighting. Radius, the super soldier that has been built up throughout the movie as the ultimate badass just waltzes in from nowhere and Hankey throws a rope around his neck and starts choking him. Hankey has never even seen this guy before and could not even know why Radius was even there. For all he knows, this super soldier could have been Stel’s missing father. There is no reason for us to connect and care why this act is happening. It’s sloppy filmmaking.

Now let’s talk about the action. I don’t doubt that Mark Strange has some skills. He’s put together a lot of action sequences that are varied. There is nothing to get particularly excited about though. From the start, Holland chooses style over substance in shooting the action with a ridiculously high number of cuts. You can make anyone look like a martial arts expert through editing. It is the equivalent of photoshopping still pictures to make a celebrity look more attractive than they really are. It appears this style was probably necessary because in the few cases when a complete punch or kick is shown, it usually looks weak and ineffective.

Much of the broader action, particularly with regard to the gunplay is laughable. Two scenes stand out. One sees Radius storming Wilson’s headquarters with nothing but a pistol, a knife and a bulletproof glass shield. The shield is kind of a nifty gimmick that is reminiscent of Captain America’s signature gadget. Yet the way it’s used is unbelievable. It’s a midsize shield that covers most of a torso but not the legs. Amazingly, the mercenaries shooting at him never think to aim for his legs and Radius never thinks to protect his legs either. I guess viewers are supposed to ignore his legs too. Another scene is the very height of absurdity. Radius is storming a second hideout for Wilson and this time he brings along two buddies in heavy sniper camouflage. Wilson starts out with a small army of armed guards but they all just run full tilt with these three masked assassins picking off one at a time. Only once do they think to turn and fire their weapons. The bigger question is where are they running to? They all head for the woods in business suits. One little car is waiting for them on an otherwise desolate road. None of it makes any sense at all.

The one action scene I did enjoy was an encounter between Radius and someone who becomes a minor nemesis. He’s a middle-aged gentleman working for Wilson who hints that he knows Radius’ real identity. It shows that Holland at least understands the importance of creating a hierarchy, even among minor characters to add depth. It’s one of those little nuggets that could have been developed in a sequel if this movie had actually been a success.

The first half of DISPLACED is actually passable by B-movie standards. With no real expectations, I found it somewhat enjoyable, largely due to the fast-moving pace which I will say is probably the film’s greatest asset. By midpoint, a lack of focus takes it toll and it becomes harder to stay interested, especially when a number of other faults are present. There are very brief moments of humor, some of which bomb. It’s understandable given a limited budget but there is little sense of any calculated production design. Military costumes are incomplete or misused. I’m still trying to figure why several soldiers were wearing gas masks early on. I know Britain isn’t known for its sunny skies but consistently flat and dull colors make the film look unappealing. To be honest, I cannot even remember what the score sounds like. That’s better than music that actively detracts from a viewing experience at least.

From an action fan perspective what ultimately disappoints is the over-stylized, yet rough choreography and editing. LEFT FOR DEAD, another indie British actioner has rough choreography as well but relied more on the skill of stunt actors than on post-production editing. You can’t beat Hollywood at their own game when you don’t have their money to spend. Indie films should be the platform for superior scripts or superior physical action, not scaled down attempts at a generic mainstream genre movie, which is exactly what DISPLACED is.

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