Images: Courtesy of Amazon Press
Review by Jon Donnis
There is a brash confidence to The Wrecking Crew that feels almost old fashioned in the best way. This is a loud, violent, self aware buddy cop action comedy that knows exactly which buttons it wants to press and hammers them with real enthusiasm. Directed by Ángel Manuel Soto, the film throws subtlety out of the window early on and commits fully to being a crowd pleasing blast of bruising action, broad humour and clashing personalities.
The story centres on estranged half brothers Jonny Hale and James Hale. Jonny, played by Jason Momoa, is a loose cannon cop working on a reservation in Oklahoma. James, played by Dave Bautista, is a disciplined Navy SEAL living in Hawaii. Their uneasy reunion is triggered by the death of their father Walter, a private investigator whose supposed hit and run quickly proves to be something far more sinister once Yakuza enforcers start turning up uninvited. From there, the brothers return to Hawaii for the funeral and begin pulling at threads that reveal a conspiracy with personal stakes and long buried family resentments.
What really sells the film is the chemistry between Momoa and Bautista. The contrast is familiar but effective. Momoa leans into the chaotic charm of Jonny, delivering most of the film's funniest lines and clearly enjoying himself. Bautista plays James as the tightly wound straight man, all discipline and suppressed frustration. When the two are sharing the screen, the film finally hits its stride. Their bickering, mismatched methods and grudging respect give the action real momentum, recalling the spirit of Lethal Weapon without pretending to reinvent that wheel.
The supporting cast helps keep things lively. Stephen Root is on solid form as Detective Rennert, the perpetually exasperated superior who knows he has lost control of the situation. Jacob Batalon's Pika, Walter's assistant, grows into a surprisingly effective sidekick with several strong comedic moments. Frankie Adams and Maia Kealoha do their best to ground the family drama as cousin Haunani and James' wife Lani, while Temuera Morrison brings an easy authority as the Governor of Hawaii and a trusted family friend.
And a special mention to Morena Baccarin as Valentina, the other half of Jonny Hale.
And a special mention to Morena Baccarin as Valentina, the other half of Jonny Hale.
Soto makes excellent use of the Hawaiian setting. The cinematography gives the film a bright, sun drenched look that contrasts nicely with its violent streak. Explosive set pieces are staged with clarity and energy, and the action rarely feels sluggish. When the film is firing on all cylinders, it becomes a relentless ride that barely pauses for breath.
That said, the cracks are hard to ignore. At two hours, The Wrecking Crew feels a little too long for what it is trying to do. The script is deeply formulaic and rarely surprising, hitting familiar beats almost on schedule. For an action comedy, some of the strongest jokes are spaced too far apart, and the humour does not always land with the consistency it should. It is also a missed opportunity that Bautista is not given more genuinely funny material, as his comic timing has proven strong elsewhere.
Despite those flaws, the film's sheer energy carries it a long way. It embraces its own excess, leans into its central pairing, and delivers exactly the kind of noisy, unapologetic entertainment it promises. The Wrecking Crew might not be particularly original, but it scratches a very specific itch within the buddy cop genre and does so with style.
The Wrecking Crew is a fun, if slightly overlong action comedy with some strong fight scenes, striking use of its Hawaiian backdrop, and a dependable supporting cast. It does not break new ground, but it does remind you why this formula worked so well in the first place.
I score The Wrecking Crew a solid 8 out of 10.
Released on Prime Video from the 28th January
