Greetings again from the darkness. I guess we were due for a “Cold War Buddy Comedy”. And who better to deliver than co-directors John Francis Daley and Johnathan Goldstein, the team behind GAME NIGHT (2018) and DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES (2023). This time out, they deliver excellent visuals to go along with stellar comedic chemistry between first class wisecracker Ryan Reynolds and expert straight man (and Oscar winner) Kenneth Branagh.
Reynolds stars as hotshot Navy pilot Troy Kelly, nicknamed “Assassin” for not-so-heroic reasons held at bay until near the film’s end. The year is 1987, which is forty years into the Cold War, and Reynolds is shot down while on a Top-Secret reconnaissance mission deep into Russian territory. A terrific visual effect has us following Troy’s ejection and fiery parachute down towards a very rough landing. He’s rescued by Nikolai Ustinov (Branagh), who it’s soon learned is a former KGB agent. Now living like a hermit miles from civilization, Nikolai prefers to be called ‘Nick’ and is thoroughly obsessed with all things American, especially TOP GUN … of which his prized possession is a Kramer-style bootleg of the film shot in a theater.
We are treated to a Jackie Chan-style bar fight, where Nick surprises with advanced skills. This forces the two men on a road trip, where Troy hopes he can be returned to freedom, and Nick hopes his efforts to save Troy will result in the ultimate relo to the U.S. for him and his daughter (an underused Maria Bakalova). While on this road trip, the men are being pursued by an ambitious and relentless Soviet agent played by Marcin Dorocinski (MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE, 2023). Other memorable visuals include a chase scene through a parade involving a nuclear missile launcher and fisticuffs midflight while the plane door is open.
Cinematographer Barry Peterson deserves credit for visuals that maintain the pace of the Reynolds – Branagh back-and-forth, and the accompanying Bruce Springsteen songs don’t hurt either (a result of the Boss selling off his catalog). David Morse has a small role as Troy’s dad, but the subplot feels a bit slapped on, even if it doesn’t really distract from the overall entertainment value delivered by this latest Daley-Goldstein project. A key element on display is how both sides fall prey to propaganda.
The film will be released globally on Apple TV on September 4.
Movie Reviews from the Dark 