Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Ambulanceis a high octane adrenaline rush. One that’s stuck in fifth gear and, much like the bus fromSpeed, refuses to slow down even for a moment. Director Michael Bay continues his legacy of absurd and ridiculous action films, butAmbulancefeels especially over the top. It abandons all expectations of realism very early on, and instead leans into the mantra ofmorebullets,moreexplosions andmoreswooping drone shots. The filmmaker, who’s best known for launching theBad BoysandTransformersfranchises, isn’t one for subtlety. And trust me, you find an ounce of it withinAmbulance’s2 hour and 16 minutes. However, if you’re willing to open your mind (or turn it off) you’re likely to find the experience to entirely exhilarating.
Danny (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Will (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) are estranged brothers, forced to reconnect when Will is desperate for money and asking Danny for a loan. Will, a former Marine, needs cash and he needs it quickly. His wife is sick and the experimental surgery required to save her life is expensive. There are vague allusion to the families history and to the checkered past of Will and Danny’s father. Danny offers Will the chance to earn the money he needs and more. All they have to do is rob a bank. What could go wrong? Well, as you would expect, a lot. The heist turns sour and Will and Danny find themselves pursued by police after hijacking an Ambulance with an injured cop and and an EMT (Eiza Gonzalez) on board.
Ambulance, adapted from a 2005 Danish film of the same name, succeeds in its absurdity primarily due to the dedication and chemistry of its lead cast. Gyllenhaal and Abdul-Mateen outshine even the brightest of fiery explosions. Without their charisma the film would likely fail. Audiences need to relate with these characters. To cheer for them. And that can be a difficult ask considering they’re pretty bad dudes, leaving a trail of chaos and destruction in their wake. While the injured officer spends the majority of his time unconscious, EMT Cam is wide awake and along for the ride. She’s dedicated, skilled and determined to do her job. And Gonzalez manages to stand shoulder to shoulder with Gyllenhaal and Abdul-Mateen; she’s never outperformed and holds her own in the whirlwind of nonsense.
Despite the absurdity ofAmbulance, Michael Bay takes the entire thing far too seriously. A booming score, empowering speeches and family drama force the film dangerously close to the melodramatic. ButAmbulanceexists solely for the action. Prior to seeing the film I wondered how the story of a car chase could remain engaging for nearly 2 hours and 20 minutes. The answer? More car crashes than you can count. Seriously, somebody needs to try and count the amount of police cruisers we see flip, fly and explode. The editing, in typical Michael Bay fashion, is jumbled and messy. The quick cuts and spinning angles are enough to give an audience motion sickness. But those camera tricks have been a staple of the Michael Bay actioner sinceBad Boysin 1995.
Ambulanceis a movie that knows exactly what it is. It’s Michael Bay pushing the boundaries of how much action he can squeeze onto the screen at one time. The story, as limited as it is, exists for the sole purpose of furthering the action and upping the ante along the way. Sure, it’s a lot of style over substance, but in this instance, that works. Not sinceThe Rock, has a Michael Bay movie been this much fun. 7/10
Follow us for more entertainment coverage onFacebook,Twitter,Instagram, andYouTube.
Joshua Ryan
Lead Film & TV Critics Editor
Articles Published :322
Born and raised in Central Florida, Joshua Ryan has harbored a love for cinema since the earliest years of his childhood. Through endless hours of watching Turner Classic Movies, especially the works of Alfred Hitchcock, his passion for film and film criticism grew. As an adult, he channeled that passion into a career as the editor and lead critic of FandomWire’s film and television department.
More from Joshua Ryan
Americana Review – Heart, Humor, Bloodshed, and Grit
Peacemaker Season 2 Review – A Wild Ride of Violence and Vulnerability
Night Always Comes Review – A Thrilling Descent into Darkness
Recommended
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Cast Revealed - From Returning Icons to New Faces
The Indiana Jones Effect: 6 Anime MCs That Barely Mattered In Their Own Story
Meet Suzie Yeung: The English Voice Behind Hinako in Silent Hill f
Will There Be a ‘Peacemaker’ Season 3? James Gunn Gives a Hopeful 1-Word Response
Love Is Blind UK Season 2: Who Are the Engaged Couples? Possible Breakups Explored
World of Tanks 2.0, Explained: Will It Be a Free Update for Players?
ActionAction moviesAmbulanceJake GyllenhaalMichael Bay
