Ambulance

Warning: this film can seriously damage your brain.

The beginning of the film was ok and showed no red flags.

Then grown men started talking like saucy 15-year-olds, and I got that feeling...like I've heard this before. Checked the director - Bay.

Bingo.

Then everything made perfect sense. Thirty-minute-long actions scenes with insane camera work - check. Surreal decision-making in a world that operates in Grand Theft Auto V logic - check. Blatant mockery of politically relevant topics - check.

I can enjoy a Bay film, I love the Rock, and it's very similar. But this one is of complete insanity. It's so incredibly over the top you can't even see the top from here.

And then Bay tries to do drama, and of course, it's excruciating.

There's no reason to try to understand the story since it exists only in this nightmare world where everyone is aggressive, careless, stupid, and has no regard for their or others' lives.

Pros: some decent action scenes and excellent acting by Gyllenhaal.

Cons: it's a nightmare.

Overall, it's a solid live adaptation of a GTA V five-star car chase but with no tanks.

Michael Bay is a great action director but he's no story teller.

Stereotypical gunho cops who are outwitted by 2 criminals driving a heavy ambulance carrying 4 people ,even though they drive souped up Ford Mustangs.

Good start but it goes on way too long.

Also the camerawork made me go dizzy.

Stylishly directed, jam-packed with chases and keeping the fun aspect alive for the most part if not all the way, Ambulance moves into top gear relatively quick and never takes the foot off the pedal once it gets going but the road it takes to reach its destination ends up being longer than what the gas in the tank can handle, thus resulting in a ride that's running on fumes way before the end is in sight.

Directed by Michael Bay, the premise is simple, setup is quick & thrills are endless even if much of the narrative elements seem underdeveloped. Bay utilises his usual unabashed over-the-top approach that provide his standard blockbuster fares an explosive, extravagant flavour and he amplifies the nonstop action some more with kinetic camerawork, chaotic vibe, frenetic editing and wicked character interplay.

The energy & passion is evident in execution and the use of drones to film the chase sequences is undoubtedly inspiring but this would've been an even better action-thriller if it was trimmed to a tight & tense 90 mins ride. Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II & Eiza González remain in sync with the craziness on display. And while the interest & momentum isn't lost, one does start to feel its 136 mins runtime in the remaining half.

Overall, Ambulance is amusing, entertaining & preposterous in all the ways a Michael Bay film is expected to be but it is also a whole lot of fast fun & furious frivolity that manages to get plenty of mileage out of its barebone premise. The lack of restraint isn't an issue since it is one of the fine qualities of a Bayhem production but its overlong length does leave you feeling more exhausted than exhilarated in the end. In short, a gleeful & enjoyable delight.

Michael Bay is back to his old ways. This is an extremely enjoyable popcorn movie. It can be characterized as a mindless action flick. But as I always say, I don't mind mindless if it entertains me. And I was fully entertained. I found myself smiling for most of the movie, constantly at the edge of my seat.

When I say nonstop thrill ride, I mean that to the fullest extent of the phrase. There is about 10 minutes of setup, followed by 2 hours of action and/or suspense. Thirty minutes into the movie I felt like I just watched the climax action scene. I was wondering where the movie could possibly go from there, but there was no need to worry. It took me for a ride. (This is why I love avoiding trailers, I knew nothing going in and had no idea what to expect.)

Everything in this movie is turned up to the max. This is especially the case with the sound effects and musical score. I watched it in IMAX with the giant screen and amazing speakers... it was ecstasy. I could feel the gunshots and explosions. And everything is intensified by the bombastic musical score by beast composer Lorne Balfe.

And this movie has a surprising amount of emotion. It's not subtle, I know it wants me to feel this way with the setup and music. But I still feel it and still enjoy it.

Downsides include some sloppiness with a few of the action moments as well as the editing. And like with any mindless action flick, you have to turn your brain off in some parts. You can't question medical plausibility or why certain drivers seem to really like crashing into stuff. Also, only about half the comedy hit, but the other half wasn't cringe-worthy.

In the end, I had a blast with this movie and will definitely watch it again. My theater was almost empty which is sad. If you like mindless action flicks, go see this in IMAX. It's worth it for this movie more than most.

Side note: this movie has possibly the fastest end credits I've ever seen. I think it might have been 60 or 70 seconds which is ridiculously short for such a big movie. I'm not sure why, maybe they were worried about reaching the 2 hour 20 minute mark and dissuading viewers. But I found it amusing that the credits were as fast-paced as the rest of the movie. (1 viewing, opening Thursday 4/7/2022)

Weird angles, low shots, crane shots, jib shots, drone shots, all of that is combined to form a by-the-books Michael Bay flick. I watched this film during a special premiere in Tallinn and it was way better than expected.

The only reason I bought a ticket was to see Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Jake Gyllenhal. There was really no expectation for me going in and then the LA scene started and it felt like I was watching a Bay Boys movies. I get that Bad Boys was based in Florida, but Michael Bay captured the same all-sun hot and fast vibe.

There is not much in terms of a coherent plot. But who cares at this point. You chose to watch a Michael Bay movie. It doesn't make sense? Well nothing by the director has made sense since the 90s. It is all explosive fun.

If you have seen enough Michael Bay movies by now you already know the dizzying circular shots are coming, same camera angles and clips are going to be repeated, but this is certainly one of Mr. Bay's watchable works.

Even as you will be scratching your head why all this is happening the rapid pace just takes you. The best comp I have is Unstoppable starring Chris Pine and Denzel Washington. Not the same level of stakes or execution or suspense or great. But heart pounding nonetheless.

If you like Michael Bay's work, then give this a go. Others who may come in expecting bigger and better things, maybe stay away. This is a action vehicle (literally) so just enjoy it as one no need for a thinking cap on this one.