Synopsis:
Decorated veteran Will Sharp, desperate for money to cover his wife’s medical bills, asks for help from the one person he knows he shouldn’t—his adoptive brother Danny. A charismatic career criminal, Danny instead offers him a score: the biggest bank heist in Los Angeles history: $32 million. With his wife’s survival on the line, Will can’t say no. But when their getaway goes spectacularly wrong, the desperate brothers hijack an ambulance with a wounded cop clinging to life and ace EMT Cam Thompson onboard. In a high-speed pursuit that never stops, Will and Danny must evade a massive, city-wide law enforcement response, keep their hostages alive, and somehow try not to kill each other, all while executing the most insane escape L.A. has ever seen.
Don’t you hate it when your job isn’t as advertised? You applied to be a cashier and next thing you know, you’re on the roof repairing a hole with exactly zero experience. I gest, but I know it’s happened to us all in some form or fashion. You enter into a situation expecting things to be one way but end up shocked and surprised when what you thought was water is actually fire. People will tell you not to have expectations, however, I argue that it’s almost impossible not to and maybe a bit reductive. Those people are simply afraid. What you can do is, adapt to your situation and make it work for you, just deal with it, learn to like it, or vacate. You’ll know what’s right for you when the time comes.
“People still rob banks?”
You know what they say, when you want to explosive experience, call on Bay. They don’t really say that but in his newest thriller, Ambulance, director Michael Bay returns to form. Bay delivers a thrill ride that gives you everything you could expect, want, or could ask for. It’s raucous, intense, exhilarating, bullet-riddled, and full of amplified drama. Led by a strong trio of performances from Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Eiza González, this story provides characters that you care about and suspense that will have you living on the edge of your seat. This butt-clenching rollercoaster of a film resembles a union of the game franchise Grand Theft Auto and the television series 9-1-1. Not only is it full of high-velocity action but heart and compassion as well. This is a nonstop pedal to the metal experience that not only begs to be seen in theaters but on the biggest screen with the best sound possible – either Regal’s IMAX or AMC’s Dolby Cinema. Ambulance not only tells an insane over-the-top story but it sheds a light on how military veterans are often treated by the systems they fought to protect as well as their difficulty to find work. It also celebrates the importance of EMTs and other first responders.
Ultimately, the film asks, how far and to what lengths would you go to help your family? And it also does a great job of playing with the concepts of good and bad. Bay makes sure to pay homage to the Bad Boys franchise with the famous exiting the car shot as well as some vocally saying, bad boys within that same shot. The cinematography is great, no surprise there, the sound is immersive, and the storytelling is very well done. There is not a dull moment anywhere to be found. This is a film you’ll want to take a group of friends to share in the wild experience. I thoroughly enjoyed Ambulance. Its rewatchability is high.
Pacing & Pop
The pacing is perfect. It begins calm and somber then quickly builds immense tension as everything begins to go completely wrong. What popped for me was the performance of Jake Gyllenhaal.
Characters & Chemistry
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Eiza González, Garret Dillahunt, Keir O’Donnell, Jackson White, Olivia Stambouliah, Moses Ingram, Colin Woodell, Cedric Sanders, A Martinez, Wale Folarin
The performances of Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Eiza González really bring this film together. Gyllenhaal’s Danny is a charismatic sociopath with a diabolical intellect that you can’t get enough of. His performance is energetic and electric. Yahya’s Will is a man of honor and principle but will do anything for his family. At the end of the day, he wants to remain a good man. González‘s Cam is strong, smart, and the best at what she does but walks around with a chip on her shoulder. All three have a few tricks or secrets that make them who they are. The chemistry between the three is top-tier. What really fun about this cast are the supporting roles. The two the standout are Wale as Castro and Olivia Stambouliah as Lieutenant Dhazghig. One brings the hilarious “I’m not about this life” energy and the other is a witty smartass that demands respect.
Ambulance releases in theaters on April 8, 2022. Stay safe and enjoy.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Runtime: 2h 16m
Rated: R
Director: Michael Bay
Writer: Chris Fedak
Producers: Michael Bay p.g.a., Ian Bryce, Bradley J. Fischer p.g.a., William Sherak, James Vanderbilt
Executive Producers: Michael Kase, Mark Moran
Director of Photography: Roberto De Angelis
Senior Critic. Observing the human race since 1988.
