Apparently, the critics have been bashing the film but applauding the cast. But I think the cast are also part of the reason why this film isn’t good. On the surface, the film, the story, is very basic. FBI Agent tries to track down the ‘most wanted art thief in the world’ and succeeds but then is framed by an even better art thief, The Bishop. The code name I think is a Chess reference for some reason those who don’t play Chess won’t know. Then an unlikely buddy action comedy emerges as the real core plot. Then The Bishop swings in at every location to just to cause problems and snatch everything away from them at the last moment. As I’ve said, we’ve seen this sort of this before, many times and depending on how interesting the characters are its worth the ride. However, casting problematic Gal Gadot in the lead as the suave elegant pretty female might not have been the best casting. With Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds as the odd couple, there was a possibility that this could have been saved BUT over the years Reynolds has progressed far beyond the snarky slick sidekick-eques lead and this role feels like a major step backwards to the mid 2010s. As for Johnson, he just seems bored. Even when it comes to the twist that everyone saw a mile off. The story about the McGuffin’s that aren’t McGuffins, Cleopatra’s eggs feel oddly fake and of course these eggs are fictious. The fact that these Egyptian eggs could have been inspired by the famed Fabergé eggs of the Russian Tsars, really does make you wonder why they chose Cleopatra and her possible treasure. I’d rather see that film.
Globe trotting stories about thieves chasing a fake treasure overall seems old hat but there are several moments throughout the film that recycled or not executed well. Such as the one-dimensional Interpol agent, Das who is not developed, she is just there to chase everyone else which is a missed opportunity. The twist we all saw coming, Johnson and Gadot are actually working together which is what the film leads up to and is crashes and burns like the Nazi car they gang drives through mine shafts. The fact that Nazis are somehow involved, even if its just all the art and treasure they stole, they made an appearance. Even the way plans are made with the heists planned out using overly exaggerated technology that doesn’t screw up. The weird billionaire who has a theatrical voice and likes to make a point how he murdered his father in every interaction. The list goes on, sadly.
However, amidst this stale film, some of the jokes Reynolds comes out with is actually funny, but that’s it. If I were to critique this film in depth, I would go on to say that Reynold’s character, Booth is actually the greatest art thief as he does all the stealing and planning. The Bishops just wonder in at the end and steal it, without really doing any work. The director, Rawson Marshall Thurber knows how to follow a formula, going by his filmography. It’s a shame that left-field choices for these generic films are given a chance as they could really create something, interesting. Thurber is as basic as his films and that’s all we’re treated to. I wonder what Netflix will bring out next.