Kandahar ★★★

GERARD Butler is consistent at the least.

Unlike other action stars like Steven Seagal, Liam Neeson or the late Bruce Willis, it’s rare that Butler trots out an absolute stinker.

His latest, Kandahar, is a case in point.

Set in Iraq and filmed in Saudi Arabia, it reteams him with director Ric Roman Waugh who made one of Butler’s best recent films, Greenland.

It follows a CIA operative and his translator who flee from Afghanistan after their covert mission is exposed.

There is plenty of well-staged and shot action and the supporting cast is particularly good for this type of film.

Mike Ritchie’s recent film The Covenant had a similar setting. It was also well made and acted and had stronger themes and intentions, but Kandahar edges it in both tension created and, surprisingly, character development.