Andrea’s Angle | “Ambulance” – Skimpy Plot, Dizzying Action
When I watched the trailers for this film, I was excited. Not only are there some excellent actors involved but with this being a Michael Bay film, I expected massive action. His films aren’t known for tons of plot but what I didn’t expect was funny dialogue, dizzying action scenes with excellent acting despite a lack of true character development.
Ambulance, an action thriller film directed by Michael Bay and written by Chris Fedak, is based on a 2005 Danish film of the same name. The film follows two adoptive brothers, Danny (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Will (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) who turn to bank robbery. In the aftermath of the bank robbery, the pair hijack an ambulance, taking an EMT, Cam (Eiza González) and a police officer, Zach (Jackson White) hostage, all while the LA police and FBI hunt them down, led by Captain Monroe (Garret Dillahunt) and FBI agent Anson Clark (Keir O’Donnell).
There are elements I truly enjoyed. One of the best aspects besides the acting, is the dialogue. Throughout the film the dialogue has punch to it. The dialogue is utilized to lighten up the tension at points throughout the movie and in those scenes, there are some real laugh out loud moments. The dialogue also assists with the tension and conflict between not only law enforcement but the hostages and their captors. While there are times where the dialogue is used to inform the audience, there are some real authentic moments highlighted by the dialogue.
The action is very much over the top and exactly what you expect from a Michael Bay film. The action keeps you on the edge of your seat, as the bank robbers attempt to escape the police. Massive destruction, massive amounts of death, and tons of gunfire. If you love the action in the other films Bay has produced, you will enjoy most of these scenes.
What elevates the film the most is the acting. I found Yahya Abdul-Mateen II especially compelling. He gives an emotional performance that helps the audience connect with his character and root for him to do the right thing. His performance is excellent. Jake Gyllenhaal portrays a character similar to others he’s played, slightly crazy but also caring, despite appearances. His character has far more complexity simply because of the performance he gives us. Eiza González gives a riveting performance, one that keeps you on the edge of your seat as you hope she’ll survive and save the police officer. Garret Dillahunt and Keir O’Donnell are fantastic as well as they attempt to prevent the robbers escaping.
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Rating: 3 out of 5 ambulances
Official Website: Ambulance | Trailer & Movie Site | In Theaters Friday
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Ambulance
Genre: Action/Crime/Drama
Over one day across the streets of L.A., three lives will change forever. Decorated veteran Will Sharp (Emmy winner Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, CANDYMAN, THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS), 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 (Oscar® nominee Jake Gyllenhaal, ZODIAC, SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME). Danny offers him a score: the biggest bank heist in Los Angeles history: $32 million.
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 (Eiza González, FAST & FURIOUS PRESENTS: HOBBS & SHAW, BABY DRIVER) onboard. AMBULANCE opens in theaters Friday, April 8, 2022.
ONE-LINER: Two robbers steal an ambulance after their heist goes awry.
