This movie has more military setpieces than action scenes, preferring the fighter-turned-lover narrative over stock spectacle, and it works pretty well. Kurt Russell brings the perfect combination of badass and pathos to the role, and the story doesn’t get in its own way or overcomplicate things.
Closest comparison: It’s like Unchained by way of Enemy Mine.
Setting: Sci-fi
Plot: Redemption
Tone: Action
This movie is a pretty standard white collar Orwellian thriller. For the most part the paranoia and unease works well, but one of the sources of tension actually serves to undercut the stakes significantly which does this film no favors. The chase and entrapment scenes are equally exciting, and the ending wraps up most of what it needs to, although the final resolution leaves something to be desired.
Closest comparison: It’s like Enemy of the State by way of A Few Good Men.
Setting: RomCom
Plot: Thriller
Tone: Thriller
This is a meandering, low-brow adventure comedy that may appeal more to fraternity pledges than the average citizen. The heist isn’t particularly interesting and doesn’t go according to plan, to the surprise of no one. If the humor is up your alley it’s probably a fun watch, but there’s too little depth and too much juvenile nonsense to be worth it for me.
Content warnings: female nudity
Closest comparison: It’s like Pineapple Express with the aimlessness of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, but with much less action.
Setting: Adventure
Plot: Heist
Tone: Drug Movie
