Invasion: The Netherlands vs. Venezuela (Under an Alias)

Curacao is only 35 miles from the terrorist-supporting, narcotics-running state of Venezuela, so its security is definitely a concern for the Dutch military. The ABC islands have their own independent governments, but they are considered “constituent countries” of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In this film, it is the rogue South American nation of Veragua that attacks, but it is transparently based on Maduro’s regime. It is too bad all that talk about “defending democracy” never applied to the Venezuelan election Biden traded massive sanction relief for, only to have Maduro brazenly steal it. We could have saved the Dutch Marines a lot of trouble. Instead, they will fight and die to save their countrymen in Bobby Boermans Invasion, which releases this Friday in theaters and on VOD.

It was a quiet day when Venezuela Veragua started shelling Curacao’s beaches. Unfortunately, Carl, the proprietor of a beachfront resort is injured while saving a young guest. His status greatly concerns his sons, Judsel, a sailor on a Dutch cutter of the shore of Veragua, and Andy, a Marine recruit who just washed out on his final training mission, due to his fear of heights. When the attack comes, Andy and his two, more successful trainees, Jack and Noa, are evac’ed to Judsel’s ship, for safe-keeping.

Commander Stan Bot is understanding up to a point, but frankly, the disruptive Andy is lucky he isn’t locked in the brig. Regardless, the real Marines, Noa and Jack, are sent on a rescue mission to extract the worthless, cowardly Dutch ambassador, Maurits Caan, to prevent the Maduro clone from using him as a bargaining chip.

Meanwhile, steely Major Jon Brouwer organizes the resistance on the Dutch military base, overrun by enemy forces. However, they already have their own bargaining chip in the base prison, Hector Lagarto, a high-ranking Veraguan official wanted by the U.S. government for drug trafficking.

It is laughably ironic that a movie that repeatedly depicts courage under fire is too chicken to actually call out Venezuela by name. Seriously, screenwriters Philip Delmaar, Errol Nayci, and Lucas de Waard really ought to try to grow spines. As a result, the slight fictional veneer robs the film of a sense of urgency. It is all just make believe, so why should anyone care?

Still, the bravery and selflessness of the Dutch Marines is inspiring stuff. Grizzled Raymond Thiry is a particular standout as tough old Maj. Brouwer. Indeed, the scenes of the Marines fighting their way across their breached base are the best of the film. Fedja van Huet also makes a strong impression (in ways favorable to the Dutch military) as the commanding and analytical CDR. Bot. Conversely, Gijs Scholten van Aschat is aptly slimy as the dishonorable Caan.

However, the younger cast in the enlisted roles do not have the same screen presence. Frankly, Uriah Havertong and Jonas Smulders inspire much more confidence as Martina and Tom, two men under Brouwer’s command, than lead actor Tarikh Janssen. Janssen is physically credible, but behavior and attitude of his character, Andy, defies all belief.

Still, there are some nifty warfighting sequences and the underlying premise probably deserves more war-gaming attention. This is something that could happen, for exactly the reasons depicted—to forestall a coup. However, the lack of a big climax is its ultimate undoing. Despite some highly suspect script-doctoring, Invasion will divert fans of military techno-thriller who recognize the validity of the premise when it streams on ad-supported platforms, but it is just not worth your hard-earned money when it releases this Friday (2/22) in theaters and on-demand.