Sylvester Stallone’s latest film, “Armor,” has been met with a distinctly harsh reception from critics, as evidenced by its stunningly low rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Released quietly on November 22 via premium video on demand, the film stars Stallone alongside Jason Patric and follows a father-son duo working as security guards for an armored truck service. Their lives take a dramatic turn when they encounter robbers on a bridge, forcing them into a fight for survival. As of now, “Armor” holds a dismal 0% rating from 20 professional reviews, marking it as one of Stallone’s lowest-rated projects. Given the current lack of verified user ratings, the film remains unrated on the site’s viewer-driven Popcornmeter.
No stranger to highs and lows in his extensive career, Stallone faced past flops, including the 2014 film “Reach Me,” which had a meager 4% rating. However, this new rating reflects the consensus that “Armor” has outdone even those previous disappointments. On a historical note, “Staying Alive,” the 1983 sequel to “Saturday Night Fever,” is another of Stallone’s films that received a 0% rating, but “Armor” seems poised to share that unfortunate spotlight as potentially his worst yet. Conversely, his acclaimed work, such as the 1976 classic “Rocky,” stands in stark contrast with a remarkable 93% rating, showcasing the vast range of critical reception his films have garnered over time.
Critics have not held back their scathing sentiments regarding “Armor.” Dennis Harvey of Variety criticized the film for its lack of engaging performances and subpar execution of its mediocre script, co-written by Adrian Speckert and Cory Todd Hughes. Harvey suggested that the film fails to deliver any special thrills or distinctive style, resulting in a forgettable cinematic experience. Similarly, Glenn Kenny of Roger Ebert Online echoed these sentiments, describing the film as feeling overly padded—even within its relatively concise runtime of 89 minutes. Reviews like these contribute to a perception of “Armor” as a lackluster effort that fails to capitalize on its potential.
Further highlighting the film’s shortcomings, Aiden Kelly from Collider placed “Armor” alongside other Lionsgate failures such as “Borderlands” and “The Crow,” suggesting that it exemplifies more of what not to do in action filmmaking. He expressed skepticism that “Armor” would even achieve the level of notoriety that some past failures enjoy, indicating a belief that it may fade from memory entirely. This critical backlash speaks to a broader trend of diminishing returns for action films in recent years, especially those that fail to innovate or capture audiences’ attention.
Despite the negative press, Stallone has managed to maintain a steady presence in entertainment by recently wrapping up a successful season of “Tulsa King,” a crime drama series on Paramount+. The actor, now 78, has demonstrated his commitment to engaging with contemporary audiences, even as “Armor” struggles to garner any significant interest. Directed by Justin Routt, the film also features Dash Mihok and Josh Wiggins in supporting roles, pointing to a lineup that should ideally lend itself to a more compelling narrative.
As “Armor” currently stands, the lack of critical acclaim emphasizes the ongoing challenges faced by filmmakers in the competitive action genre. Having garnered a record-low rating for Stallone’s works, the film serves as a cautionary tale for future projects, highlighting the necessity of not only an exciting premise but also effective execution in storytelling and character development. With the digital landscape becoming ever more saturated, the success of cinematic releases will increasingly rely on their ability to captivate audiences—an area where “Armor” unfortunately falls short.
