FilmSnobReviews

Title: Outside the Wire
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Mikael Håfström
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Damson Idris, Enzo Cilenti
Runtime: 1 hr 54 mins

What It Is: It is the near future and war is breaking out between Russia and the United States over control of Ukraine. Harp (Idris) is a drone pilot who has made a terrible mistake. As penance for this mistake, he is sent to the very same base that he leads into destruction. Now having to work with a loose cannon in Captain Leo (Mackie) the two of them are off on a highly important mission. One that’ll reveal things Harp never thought were possible. As any war film has taught us…anything is possible.

What We Think: This is a complete CGI mess. The action isn’t really all that great. Instead, it’s a boring “buddy” film that puts us through too many illogical plot devices to really take any of it seriously. As the plot progresses we realize how thin it really is. I haven’t the slightest clue what Håfström is doing behind the camera. Whatever it is it is by no means special. Its all this lame action direction done far better by other films and other filmmakers.

Our Grade: D+, Merciless in it’s mediocrity and a giant bore to boot. Anthony Mackie deserves more then this! Great with his action pieces in things like The Adjustment Bureau and The Hurt Locker to speak nothing of his work in the MCU. Sure this is easy to access being on Netflix but this is super “dad movie” vibes and not worth your time except to maybe keep your grandfather or dad occupied for almost two hours. It’s way too long. Period. There’s so much convoluted trash you could’ve cut out of this that would’ve made it flow far better and perhaps kept the film more interesting.