By Josh Crooks
Having (proudly) missed all of Michael Bay's work since Bad Boys 2, I was pleasantly surprised when it was announced that the big time director would slum it with the rest of us and make a quiet indie crime film with a considerably smaller budget. I was considerably less impressed when it was revealed that the budget would sit at $25 million (hardly chump change), but I guess when you compare it to that of the last Transformers' movie budget ($195 million), it’s an amiable step down. Thankfully, Bay redeemed himself in my eyes in the form of a ragtag cast with indie and bizarre credits: with Mark Walhberg playing against his buddy cop image, and Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson/Anthony Mackie bringing the laughs. Admittedly I'll watch anything with the aging wrestler thanks to Fast Five (2011), but a quirky trailer with genuine laughs sealed the deal.
Having (proudly) missed all of Michael Bay's work since Bad Boys 2, I was pleasantly surprised when it was announced that the big time director would slum it with the rest of us and make a quiet indie crime film with a considerably smaller budget. I was considerably less impressed when it was revealed that the budget would sit at $25 million (hardly chump change), but I guess when you compare it to that of the last Transformers' movie budget ($195 million), it’s an amiable step down. Thankfully, Bay redeemed himself in my eyes in the form of a ragtag cast with indie and bizarre credits: with Mark Walhberg playing against his buddy cop image, and Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson/Anthony Mackie bringing the laughs. Admittedly I'll watch anything with the aging wrestler thanks to Fast Five (2011), but a quirky trailer with genuine laughs sealed the deal.
How about the final product? It’s a mess, but for me at least, it's a hot mess although rarely is a film as much of a mixed bag as this one. Example: the story and dialogue are strong thanks to a crazy true life story and a string of solid performances. Danny Lugo (Mark Whalberg) wants more out of life, and turns to crime to achieve the American dream. Taking advantage of those around him he leads a small crew to glory followed by ruin in a larger than life tale. All sounding a little familiar? Aside from a little story Deja vu, the film suffers slightly from heavy handed narration. This would usually be a little more forgivable but the entire central cast chirps up every now and again which is less so.
Technically the film is strong thanks partially to Bay's sensibilities; love him or hate him the man knows how to put the money on screen. Don't let the smaller scale budget fool you, the movie looks a billion dollars. If its comparable to anything, the film is admirably like that of Bay's early work and has the same look and feel of the Bad Boys series (even more so when you consider that those movies were made for a hell of a lot more). My only wish in that regard is that Bay should get back to this place as it’s clearly where his skill set lies: bizarre crime stories. The film is at its best when story breaks out in a rash of wild and crazy as Whalberg's deck of cards comes tumbling down and a strong technical team support that perfectly. The POV shots (captured with GoPro consumer cameras) and Snatch style info-graphics are wonderfully experimental elements that thankfully work out for the better.
Technically the film is strong thanks partially to Bay's sensibilities; love him or hate him the man knows how to put the money on screen. Don't let the smaller scale budget fool you, the movie looks a billion dollars. If its comparable to anything, the film is admirably like that of Bay's early work and has the same look and feel of the Bad Boys series (even more so when you consider that those movies were made for a hell of a lot more). My only wish in that regard is that Bay should get back to this place as it’s clearly where his skill set lies: bizarre crime stories. The film is at its best when story breaks out in a rash of wild and crazy as Whalberg's deck of cards comes tumbling down and a strong technical team support that perfectly. The POV shots (captured with GoPro consumer cameras) and Snatch style info-graphics are wonderfully experimental elements that thankfully work out for the better.
All of that aside, the film is too long. Anyone who's had the pleasure (no sarcasm) of watching Bad Boys 2 knows the feeling of Pain and Gain. But in an effort to be fair, the film does a good job of rewarding you with moments and beats that will get you through the two hour run time. I do hope though that this doesn't put you off seeing the film, as it remains for me one of the most refreshing films of the summer. Bring popcorn, friends and an open mind. Apply liberally. With a new Transformers trilogy currently being filmed, we're unlikely to get Bay at his crazy best for some time. If he's reading this, I beg him to take notice of one of the film's closing lines: "Some people just don't know a good thing when it’s staring them in the face".
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