Review: Code of Valor (2022) – Dwayne Johnson Brings the Heat Again

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is back in Code of Valor (2022), a high-octane action thriller that feels like John Wick meets Zero Dark Thirty, with a healthy dose of The Rock’s signature charisma and unstoppable energy.

The film follows former special forces operative Jack Valor (Johnson), who comes out of retirement after a terrorist syndicate threatens his hometown and kidnaps a government scientist holding the key to a top-secret AI weapon. What follows is a globe-trotting revenge mission filled with explosions, gritty fight scenes, and just the right amount of emotional backstory to make it more than just another shoot-’em-up.

Johnson is in top form here — both physically and emotionally. He brings weight to the role of a haunted soldier trying to honor a promise to his fallen brother. The action choreography is tight, especially a brutal hand-to-hand fight in a rain-soaked alley that feels straight out of a Bourne film.

Supporting performances from Emily Blunt (as a tough CIA analyst) and Ken Watanabe (as Valor’s former commanding officer) add depth to the story. The film’s pacing is relentless, but it never feels overwhelming thanks to smart direction and a surprisingly heartfelt third act.

Code of Valor might not reinvent the action genre, but it nails everything it sets out to do: fast cars, big guns, emotional stakes, and a whole lot of Dwayne Johnson kicking ass.

Rating: 4.5/5 — A must-watch for action fans.