Movie Review: ‘The Wrecking Crew’

The mismatched buddy comedy movie is a throwback to the likes of 1980s titles as ‘Tango & Cash,’ and overcomes a basic story with charismatic performances.

(L to R) Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista star in 'The Wrecking Crew'. Credit: Courtesy of Prime. Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC.

On Prime Video on January 28 is ‘The Wrecking Crew’ a new buddy action comedy led by Jason Momoa (‘Aquaman’) and Dave Bautista (‘Guardians of the Galaxy’), who here play estranged brothers brought back together by the death of their grungy private eye father.

Directed by Ángel Manuel Soto (‘Blue Beetle’), the cast for the movie also includes Morena Baccarin (‘Deadpool’), Jacob Batalon (‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’), Frankie Adams (‘The Expanse’), Temuera Morrison (‘The Book of Boba Fett’), Claes Bang (‘The Square’) and Stephen Root (‘Office Space’).

Initial Thoughts

(L to R) Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista star in 'The Wrecking Crew'. Credit: Courtesy of Prime. Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC.

Projects dreamed up by actors who really want to work together can run the risk of becoming bloated vanity projects. Yet ‘The Wrecking Crew,’ spawned from an idea by leads Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa, manages to avoid most of those traps by being exactly what you might expect.

Front-loaded with action and powered by the charisma of its main men, ‘The Wrecking Crew’ harbors no illusions as to what it is –– dumb, fun and full of chaos.

Script and Direction

(L to R) Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa star in 'The Wrecking Crew'. Credit: Courtesy of Prime. Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC.

Writer Jonathan Tropper (‘This is Where I Leave You’), is more normally known for his cinematic work alongside Shawn Levy, but while his movies have been more emotional and spiritual, his TV work, especially ‘Banshee’ has more of a connection to this film.

The style here is adrenaline-fueled action comedy with a healthy dollop of comedy to leaven our heroes slaughtering squads of henchmen as they investigate their father’s suspicious death.

Though you could probably guess the entire plot before the credits have finished, it’s entirely disposable and not the selling point.

Director Ángel Manuel Soto keeps things light and nimble, and if it ends up a little overstuffed for such a slim premise, it doesn’t suffer.

Cast and Performances

(L to R) Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista star in 'The Wrecking Crew'. Credit: Courtesy of Prime. Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC.

This really is the Bautista and Momoa show, the pair sharing some crackling chemistry as long-estranged brothers –– one a taciturn Navy SEAL who prefers to go by the book, the other a maverick cop with a penchant for leather jackets and throwing empty beer bottles.

They really do pull this thing along on their shared shoulders, but the likes of Jacob Batalon, Stephen Root and Morena Baccarin all get decent material to work.

Final Thoughts

Jason Momoa star in 'The Wrecking Crew'. Credit: Courtesy of Prime. Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC.

It’s often vulgar, violent and has a storyline you could note on a napkin, but ‘The Wrecking Crew’ also has throwback charm and action bedlam that adds up to decent entertainment value.

‘The Wrecking Crew’ receives 70 out of 100.

Dave Bautista star in 'The Wrecking Crew'. Credit: Jason Laciste/Prime. Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC.

What’s the story of ‘The Wrecking Crew’?

Two estranged half-brothers, Jonny (Jason Momoa) and James (Dave Bautista) are forced to reunite after their father’s mysterious death. As they set out to uncover the truth, buried secrets resurface and loyalties are tested, unveiling a conspiracy that can tear their family apart.

Together, they are ready to wreck anything that gets in their way.