While it may not be perfect, if you’re up for a tense and thrilling high-speed chase, Ambulance has you covered.
Overall Score: 8/10
Image: Universal Pictures
High-speed car chases, intense action, over-the-top thrills, and the hijacking of an ambulance.
If that were all someone told you regarding the film’s plot, you’d probably think that it sounded like a recipe for disaster. No? Well, I certainly did. After all, Michael Bay is notorious for making movies that prioritize big action sequences and visual effects over compelling characters and their development. Therefore, when I finally decided to give it a go, I was surprised and ultimately glad to find that Ambulance is actually a pretty solid film.
Typically, I’m not that much of a fan of Bay’s work. In fact, I actively dislike a lot of the things he’s put out over the years, with The Rock, up until this point, being the only exception. But with Ambulance, I’ve been completely won over as Bay has managed to bring to life a story that, while at first glance may seem ridiculous, is entertaining, engaging, and, most importantly, human.
You might be wondering, “Human? A Michael Bay movie that’s human?” Well, for the most part, it is. One of the biggest highlights is that although Ambulance is intense and fast-paced, the film pauses every now and then to take the time to show us the inner workings of its three protagonists. We have Will, for example, who is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that the cost of his wife’s medical treatment is covered. There’s also Danny, who, despite being a criminal, will do anything for his brother. And finally, we have Cam, an EMT who’s at the top of her game but refuses to let her emotions get in the way of her job. Each of these characters — well, two of them, at least — grow as the movie progresses, and while it may not be as deep or extensive as we might want, the little bits of development they receive (along with the actors’ strong performances) are enough to keep you invested in them and the story as a whole.
Perhaps another thing I appreciate is how the objectification of women typical in Bay’s films is completely gone here. Instead, we’re given a strong and compelling female lead who rather surprisingly outshines her male co-stars as she attempts the impossible by trying to keep a severely wounded cop alive on an ambulance going at speeds fast enough to blow the skin off of your face.
As for the movie’s action, everything is, as usual, cranked up to eleven. There are big, loud explosions, thrilling chase sequences, and shots being fired left and right. Heck, it may not count as action, but we even have tense and impromptu surgeries that will make you feel queasy. All of this is, of course, enhanced by exciting and angle-bending cinematography (which is, perhaps, overused to a certain extent) and a score that pulsates with loud and rhythmic beats designed to keep you on the edge of your seat.
In short, Michael Bay’s latest cinematic effort is full of nonstop action, features a decent story, has great acting, and is tons of fun. And while it may not be perfect, if you’re up for a tense and thrilling high-speed chase, Ambulance has you covered.
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