
Ambulance: A Story of High-Speed Heists and Low-Impact Scripts
Ambulance (2023)
Directed by Michael Bay
Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II & Eiza González
Since 2005, action director Michael Bay has primarily focused on the Transformers film franchise, churning out a total of five of these blockbuster movies. The franchise’s extravagant premise, where intellectual property is “more than meets the eye,” aligns well with Bay’s penchant for prioritizing visual spectacle over a tightly woven narrative. However, what unfolds when this same director collaborates with talented actors instead of relying solely on CGI robots?
Jake Gyllenhaal, known for his remarkable performance in 2014’s Nightcrawler, and his co-star in Ambulance, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who recently impressed audiences in Candyman (2021), have both demonstrated their acting prowess. The question now arises: Can this dynamic pair deliver for Michael Bay in the same way they did for directors Dan Gilroy and Nia DaCosta?
I was blissfully unaware that this film was a remake of a Danish movie from 2005 with the same title. I assume the original work was character-driven, emphasizing practical effects. Unfortunately, the remake falters almost immediately. Within the first five minutes, we meet the “brothers,” portrayed by the co-stars, and find ourselves embroiled in what can only be described as the most absurd robberies ever depicted on film.
As our third principal actor, Eiza González, enters the scene, it becomes evident that the script was concocted by a committee specializing in daft one-liners. The dialogue lacks depth and storytelling, with each catchphrase delivered by Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and González with unwavering intensity. Regrettably, this fervor doesn’t translate into great performances from any of these actors.
However, one actor seems attuned to the film’s absurdity: Garret Dillahunt as Captain Monroe. His portrayal of a stuffy, dog-loving character carries a knowing wink, but unfortunately, this sensibility doesn’t rub off on the rest of the cast. Particularly disappointing is Keir O’Donnell, who falters as FBI Agent Anson Clark. Michael Bay, using this character as our window into events unfolding outside the speeding ambulance, transforms what was already a subpar film into an almost irredeemable cinematic experience up to this point.
Does Ambulance come with huge explosions, incredible car chases, and impressive gun violence? Absolutely. Yes, but these elements also appeared in Bad Boys (1995), Bay’s first feature film after directing more than 35 music videos. Back in 1995, his ‘music video’ style successfully culminated in an enjoyable action film starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. However, fast-forward 27 years, and it appears that Bay’s creative repertoire remains stuck in this formula. The once-refreshing spectacle has grown old and predictable. Bay tried to reinvent himself by shifting from straight action to sci-fi action, but the result remains nonsensical and familiar. Perhaps it’s time for talented actors to think twice when Bay comes knocking.
Grade: If the original Bad Boys was a B in Michael Bay’s filmography, and his string of films in the Transformers franchise were D’s, then this latest attempt to reinvent himself is an F+.