I guess it could be worse. Not the most ringing endorsement of The Wrecking Crew, I’m sorry. But hey, in a dead of winter, if you’re stuck at home for a couple hours and want to dream of Hawaiian vacations with Jason Momoa and Morena Baccarin? Like I said…could be worse. I think I’m coming down with something…
Say this in a sitcom voice: He’s an uptight Navy Seal (James, played by Dave Bautista); he’s an emotional wreck of a former cop (Jonny, played by Jason Momoa). You’d think they have NOTHING in common. But when their dad (Brian L. Keaulana) winds up dead on the street, it’s time for James and Jonny to become… THE WRECKING CREW! Hijinks and mayhem ensue…despite the dead parent.
Stupid sitcom energy was of the past though; The Wrecking Crew has a severe case of streameritis. What is that exactly? Key symptoms include haracter and plot dumps aplenty. My personal faves were on a call 5 minutes in one character goes “I’m your [relationship], can’t believe we haven’t met yet. It must be because of all that historical trauma you and your brother went though.” I bellowed with laughter. On streameritis the audience might travel back in time to retread the plots of old: a buddy cop comedy uncovering a criminal conspiracy? What a great idea! Why hasn’t anyone done that before? Side effects might include beautiful one note characters (Morena Baccarin, what did you do to deserve this?) and broad stereotypes (Jacob Batalon, what did YOU do to deserve this?). Oh, and if streameritis makes you forget the plot you just watched, the script makes sure it monologues it back to you every 30 minutes or so, so why even pay attention right?
But subscribers deal with streameritis from The Wrecking Crew for two reasons: movie stars and action. Despite their stupid character setups, Bautista and Jason Momoa can’t help but be charming and fun together. Yes they’re doing spins on things we’ve seen before, but damn if Momoa dressing down the bad guys verbally and physically isn’t a delight to watch. But director Angel Manuel Soto is the real star here. Using the on site location shoot, we get a vacation postcard in the middle of a battle fest. There’s a fun (if too CGI) chase through the mountains, as well as some beautiful drone/tracking shots through nature and city life in Hawaii/New Zealand. The action itself too is better than it isn’t, with some devilishly r rated finishers the boys have fun inflicting on their inferior opponents.
If streameritis lasts multiple dumb action comedies, vapid romcoms, or hallmark Christmas movies, please consult a real movie theater. While there’s something nice about those films, they end up very hollow and forgotten. Real art and heartbreak in a place like that is the vaccine for what afflicts you. And most importantly, if your Momoa like erection lasts longer than 4 hours…that means a great movie at a movie theater is doing its job!