Here we go, strap yourself in.
Michael Bay blows up the scene once again with his latest entry Ambulance. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Eiza González. This is the latest action extravaganza so you should know what to expect here. Explosions, car chases and everything you would associate with a Hollywood film.
The plot is razor thin here. A bank robbery goes awry and they shoot an officer. They steal an ambulance along with a paramedic so that she can keep the officer alive for leverage in their chase throughout Los Angeles.
Now that we have the plot out of the way we can start discussing the choices here.
Here's a choice I approve of. Interesting and thought provoking.
Drones seem to the new toy Michael Bay has been playing with. They produce some interesting shots except for the frenetic quick cuts throughout the film that essentially deflate the tension. Most of these choices made my stomach turn literally. The viewer feels as if they're on a roller coaster with flips, turns and loop de loops. There were times when I needed to look away from my screen as I was starting to feel ill, I can only imagine what the experience would be in a theater or heaven forbid an IMAX showing of something like this. I still find it surprising something like this passed by the editors with no changes considering they love to chop scenes randomly.
Bay references his own films in this film. I couldn't believe when I was hearing lines from The Rock and Bad Boys. I suppose this was done for the laugh factor but this was a huge groan. This does not work for me at all.
The ambulance is out of control. Be sure to drive over all those pylons just in case.
Some of the most egregious factors that pulled me out of the film were the numerous scenes or callbacks to other films. I'm not sure if this was intentional or not.
Michael Mann's Heat (1995), one of the best action heist movies in my opinion felt heavily borrowed from. This too was based in Los Angeles but done so much better. There are scenes in Bay's film that are almost carbon copies.
Speed (1994), another well known action film where a bus cannot stop or it will explode. The almost nonstop driving of this ambulance hearkens back to this action film too.
There are several others too that I can't remember off the top of my head at the moment and I think my point is hopefully clear. I've seen this all before and I can't be the only one noticing this.
Where are my sunglasses? That flare is making me squint.
As for shot composition, Michael Bay seems to love the good old lens flare that everybody loves. I'm being sarcastic and was getting flashbacks of JJ Abrams. I really wish this would die. I don't like getting a blast of light in my eyes and that's why I wear sunglasses on a bright day. Please stop putting this in film deliberately, it's annoying.
I've always said I like Jake Gyllenhaal as an actor but I'm questioning his choices lately. He fares much better in indie roles than these bigger Hollywood films. I hope he comes out in something that showcases his range as he's not great here. An over the top
Here we go, strap yourself in.
Michael Bay blows up the scene once again with his latest entry Ambulance. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Eiza González. This is the latest action extravaganza so you should know what to expect here. Explosions, car chases and everything you would associate with a Hollywood film.
The plot is razor thin here. A bank robbery goes awry and they shoot an officer. They steal an ambulance along with a paramedic so that she can keep the officer alive for leverage in their chase throughout Los Angeles.
Now that we have the plot out of the way we can start discussing the choices here.
Here's a choice I approve of. Interesting and thought provoking.
Drones seem to the new toy Michael Bay has been playing with. They produce some interesting shots except for the frenetic quick cuts throughout the film that essentially deflate the tension. Most of these choices made my stomach turn literally. The viewer feels as if they're on a roller coaster with flips, turns and loop de loops. There were times when I needed to look away from my screen as I was starting to feel ill, I can only imagine what the experience would be in a theater or heaven forbid an IMAX showing of something like this. I still find it surprising something like this passed by the editors with no changes considering they love to chop scenes randomly.
Bay references his own films in this film. I couldn't believe when I was hearing lines from The Rock and Bad Boys. I suppose this was done for the laugh factor but this was a huge groan. This does not work for me at all.
The ambulance is out of control. Be sure to drive over all those pylons just in case.
Some of the most egregious factors that pulled me out of the film were the numerous scenes or callbacks to other films. I'm not sure if this was intentional or not.
Michael Mann's Heat (1995), one of the best action heist movies in my opinion felt heavily borrowed from. This too was based in Los Angeles but done so much better. There are scenes in Bay's film that are almost carbon copies.
Speed (1994), another well known action film where a bus cannot stop or it will explode. The almost nonstop driving of this ambulance hearkens back to this action film too.
There are several others too that I can't remember off the top of my head at the moment and I think my point is hopefully clear. I've seen this all before and I can't be the only one noticing this.
Where are my sunglasses? That flare is making me squint.
As for shot composition, Michael Bay seems to love the good old lens flare that everybody loves. I'm being sarcastic and was getting flashbacks of JJ Abrams. I really wish this would die. I don't like getting a blast of light in my eyes and that's why I wear sunglasses on a bright day. Please stop putting this in film deliberately, it's annoying.
I've always said I like Jake Gyllenhaal as an actor but I'm questioning his choices lately. He fares much better in indie roles than these bigger Hollywood films. I hope he comes out in something that showcases his range as he's not great here. An over the top