Critics have mixed reactions to the upcoming action movie The Wrecking Crew, but they unanimously praise the performances of Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa. Set to release on January 28 on Prime Video, the film features Bautista and Momoa as estranged half-brothers forced to team up after their father’s murder.
The premise brings a classic buddy cop formula, with Bautista playing a loose cannon and Momoa a disciplined Navy SEAL. Jamie Parker of CBR highlights their chemistry as the film’s strongest point, rating it 7 out of 10. He describes the movie as "a fun popcorn flick that delivers adrenaline-fueled fun" despite a predictable plot.
Similarly, ScreenRant’s Greg Hermanns scores the film 7 out of 10, calling the pair’s on-screen dynamic the key element that sustains audience interest. Hermanns notes that the plot feels unoriginal and the characters underdeveloped but credits director Ángel Manuel Soto’s style alongside the actors’ rapport for keeping the film engaging. He suggests a possible sequel could build on this solid foundation.
Pete Hammond from Deadline remarks on the physicality of the leads, pointing out Momoa’s transformation to match Bautista’s imposing presence. Hammond believes the movie’s impressive fight sequences and scenic Hawaiian backdrop might have shined better in theaters than on a streaming platform. He states, "Both stars are in their sweet spot with this material," handling action and family dynamics believably.
However, not all critics are impressed. Giovanni Lago of Next Best Picture rates the movie 4 out of 10, criticizing the imbalance between comedic action and family drama. Lago suggests the film struggles to maintain audience engagement beyond Bautista and Momoa’s interactions, describing it as "ambient background noise."
Jacob Oller of Paste delivers one of the harshest reviews with a D+ grade. He argues the movie fails to commit tonally, oscillating ineffectively between genres like family drama and slapstick action. Oller says the script “cycles between family trauma drama, goofy Hawaiian noir, meathead romp, and wham-bang slugfest,” producing a fragmented experience lacking cohesive fun.
Summary of Critical Perspectives:
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Positive Points
- Dynamic chemistry between Bautista and Momoa.
- Entertaining buddy cop action reminiscent of ’80s films.
- Impressive physical performances and fight choreography.
- Potential for franchise development.
- Negative Points
- Weak, formulaic plot.
- Uneven tonality and genre blending.
- Underdeveloped characters.
- Struggles to balance humor and drama effectively.
In conclusion, The Wrecking Crew delivers on its promise to offer a fun buddy action film, largely thanks to Bautista and Momoa’s performances. While narrative and tonal issues may diminish its impact, the film is positioned as an easy-to-watch streaming title for fans of action-comedy duos. It will be available on Amazon Prime Video beginning January 28.
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