High stakes. Hilarity. Shoots out. Drug-busting. Undercover agents. Familiar stakes we’ve seen time and again. Under Fire is another action comedy, and while at points it loses the plot with over-the-top antics, the two leads save this film from becoming a dumpster fire. Dylan Sprouse and Mason Gooding are dynamic together. They play off each other in a manner reminiscent of Starsky and Hutch, which is both charming and hilarious. The action is propulsive and often stylized, leading to an all-around enjoyable time.
Two opposites in both personality and departments must team up! FBI agent Griff (Dylan Sprouse) and DEA agent Abbott (Mason Gooding) are working undercover, posing as rival drug dealers, and discover they are working on the same case. When on the US-Mexico border at a drug drop, everything goes awry. As snipers turn their guns on the two of them, Griff and Abbott must unite or die trying.
Under Fire presents us with the usual story beats we would expect in an action-comedy: witty banter, polar opposite protagonists, and a lot of gunfire. What gives this film a breath of fresh air is the on-screen pairing of Sprouse and Gooding. Their comedic timing is on point, and the jokes fly almost as fast as the bullets. This odd-couple-esque pairing is brilliant and gives the movie a fast pace and gut-busting blast. Even when the script is left in a dust cloud of cliches and derivative planks, Sprouse and Gooding make up for it. They are having a ball, and in turn so are we.
The film owes much of its credit to the buddy comedies subgenre, and Director Steven C. Miller is lovingly paying homage. While Under Fire is no second coming of The Nice Guys, Miller cites Bad Boys as an influence, particularly as we see two young up-and-comers, shooting their way to glory. The energy of Sprouse and Gooding is palpable on-screen, and their excitement fuels us as an audience.
Explosive action and stylized effects give this movie synergy—humor and wit, along with action stunts and in-your-face bloody shootouts. Even in the film’s few quiet moments, we get a unique composite of Griff and Abbott. While the film essentially sticks to the straightforward and familiar patterns, these intimate moments allow Sprouse and Gooding to turn in some intense acting moments. Even amid all the explosions and in-your-face action, we are reminded that both of them have considerable acting chops.
However, these moments are fleeting, and we are right back into the swing of things. As Griff and Abbott clash in their operating styles, we get to witness a fusing of brotherly action. Much of the film takes place in a single location as a result of a shootout. In another scenario with a less-than-biting script and poorly cast leads, this decision could be problematic. Miller makes use of the primary location and keeps the tension tight. When our guys roar out in an SUV with snipers on their back, it all feels earned. Again, having a sharp and tight script, written by Cory Todd Hughes and Adrian Speckert, along with solid acting, leads to an enjoyable romp. They fight alongside each other to save themselves and each other before they find themselves face down in a ditch.
It is impossible not to be caught up in the excitement and laughter, and again, that is a testament to Sprouse and Gooding, but also to the direction of Miller. Under Fire spares us a truck-load of exposition, in favor of throwing us into the action. It’s a gunfight, followed by another gunfight. The aims of the film are simple, and that is not a bad thing. Its ambitions are straightforward—a high-octane, adrenaline rush and plenty of good one-liners.
In another era, this film would be like a match to dynamite and blast off at the box office. While Under Fire is unlikely to make a dent at the box office, that should not make it a forgotten or missed viewing. Strong chemistry with our leads, and the snap, crackle, and pop of action give us another solid action-comedy in a year of stellar adrenaline thrillers and explosive comedies.
Under Fire is currently playing in select theaters and is available on digital platforms courtesy of Vertical Entertainment.
Even when the script is left in a dust cloud of cliches and derivative planks, Sprouse and Gooding make up for it. They are having a ball, and in turn so are we.
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GVN Rating
Writing & podcasting, for the love of movies.
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