With a well-matched pair of leads, memorable and lovable characters, and an abundance of ingenious and hilarious comedic moments, The Lost City is one island-bound adventure that should not be missed.
Overall Score: 9/10
Image: Paramount Pictures
Modern filmmakers and film studios seem to have an intense obsession with jungle and island-based action-adventure movies. Within the past five years we’ve gotten at least three major flicks of this type, namely Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Jumanji: The Next Level, and Jungle Cruise (all three of which star Dwayne Johnson). Therefore, by now, you’d think that moviemakers would stick to the same formula after having seen what works and what doesn’t. But given that this subgenre has only fairly recently reached its current level of popularity, it’s not too surprising that with each new film there are new and different tones and styles to experiment and play around with.
Clearly, this is where The Lost City deviates from the norm. Unlike its predecessors, the latest Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum-led blockbuster sets itself apart by almost entirely subverting the usual tropes we have long come to expect with action-adventure movies. Basically, it completely forgoes anything serious, diving headlong instead into the vast ocean of comedy.
This unique approach allows The Lost City to tell its story (about an author and cover model who race against a billionaire to find the titular lost city and its treasure) in a manner that lets it go nuts for much of its runtime.
The other thing that makes this movie work so well is its cast — a strange mix of versatile actors, old and new, but one that feels carefully thought out and undeniably functions flawlessly. Everyone feels perfectly cast, but Bullock in particular should be applauded for her triumphant return to the world of silly comedies, able to successfully channel the same energy she once did back in her Miss Congeniality days. Additionally, Tatum, her co-star, should also be recognized for his dedicated comedic efforts, willing to yet again portray a character that completely subverts the conventional action-hero archetype while simultaneously making fun of his own obvious physical skill set. And with their two stellar performances, coupled with their rich and irresistible chemistry, Bullock and Tatum essentially act as the foundation that supports and holds the rest of the film together.
At first glance, all of this may make The Lost City sound like a simple laugh-out-loud ride, yet in spite of all the gags and all the jokes, you’d be surprised to find that movie actually has a heart. What I mean is that even amidst all the comedy, the film pauses from time to time to unravel the different layers and fronts that our characters hide behind, showing us that they’re really just a couple of broken people, and that once they join forces, they can become so much more.
Essentially, everything about The Lost City works. The only flaw I’d say is the movie’s lack of focus on its actual premise. It might be called The Lost City, but much of the story meanders around its namesake (and its treasure) in favor of fleshing out the dynamic between its two leads. But, again, because the film does a really good job of making you like these characters and their chemistry, it’s easy to forgive and forget that there isn’t much to the plot. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that one can’t really hold The Lost City accountable for this simply because it fully accomplishes what it sets out to do (which is to tell a simple and straightforward story).
In the end, it’s refreshing to have a movie like this one come out every now and then. Not everything needs to be big and overly complicated. Sometimes, audiences need a break from all of that, and all it takes is some good old-fashioned dumb fun — which is what this film fully delivers on. Furthermore, this is a welcome and much-needed return to comedic form for Bullock, who proves, once again, that she is a true master of her craft. And with characters you’ll love and gags that’ll have you hunched over in uncontrollable laughter, The Lost City certainly entertains as it distinguishes itself by uniquely blending elements from different genres to create a fun, memorable, and entertaining adventure.
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