Movie Review #1
Bloodshot(2020)
Cast
· Vin Diesel as Ray Garrison
· Eiza Gonzalez as KT
· Sam Heughan as Jimmy Dalton
· Guy Pearce as Dr. Emil Harting
· Lamorne Morris as Wilfrad Wigans
· Toby Kebell as Martin Axe
· Talulah Rileh as Gina Garrison
· Johannes Haukur Johanneson as Nick
Baris
· Alex Hernandez as Marcus Tibbs
· Siddharth Dhananjay as Eric
· Jeremy Boado as RST Tech
· Tamer Burjaq as Mombasa Gunman
Story
Review
Bloodshot, a 2020 action movie that’s based on the Valiant
Comics of the same name. There have been smaller / less-known comic book
adaptation popping up here and there, with studios them buying up for a
cinematic treatment. Thus, I really haven’t read any of the comic book source
material of which Bloodshot comes from, so my review is gonna be solely on my
thoughts on the movie.
Bloodshot is directed by David S. F. Wilson, whose previous
works includes various cinematic trailers and CG supervisor sequences in video
games such as Mass Effect 2, Star Wars: The Old Republic, and The Division.
With his background in boisterous cinematics, Wilson seems like a suitable
choice in helming a movie like Bloodshot of which he makes his theatrical
feature length debut. In this regard, he certainly does do a decent job in his
capacity. The movie isn’t super great, but I’ll mention that below. Suffice to
say that Wilson makes Bloodshot a have good run; approaching the source
material with the intent of creating a spectacle of sorts and shaping the
feature with plenty of action heavy sequences….one that fits like a video game
cinematic cutscenes. There’s a definitely a visual “taste” that Wilson brings
to the proceedings; hitting a lot of action cues here and there and never ever
feeling dull or boring. Speaking of which, the movie actually moves at a good
pace, with the feature’s runtime clocking in at around 109 minutes (one hour
and forty-nine minutes). So, whether you either love it or hate the movie,
Bloodshot never is dull, with Wilson directing the feature to be a fun-oriented
action that has plenty of visual flair and spectacle to its narrative. In
addition, Wilson puts a unique spin on the material; presenting the film with
an initial setup (for Bloodshot) as a sort of “jumping off point” for new comic
book adaptation playing field (no big-name superheroes or costumed crusaders).
Thus, Wilson doesn’t make the movie have a modern-day superhero aesthetics ,
but still makes for a decent action blockbuster. In its presentation, Bloodshot
seems like a typical modest style blockbuster feature film; boasting plenty of
large-scale action and a handful of slick CGI visuals to help elevate some of
the more intense action sequences in the film’s story. The set designs and
locations are well-utilized that have both a familiar feeling as well as few
that have a sci-fi feeling (more so the Rising Spirit Technology areas). Thus,
the main “behind the scenes” team, including Tom Brown (production design),
Kimberly A. Tillman (costume designs), and Jacques Jouffret (cinematography).
Even the film’s score, which was composed Steven Jablonsky, delivers a rousing
score to accompany the feature throughout its many scenes (boisterous action or
soft character dialogue moments). The film’s visuals are good, but can be a
mixed bag, but I’ll mention that below.
Unfortunately, Bloodshot seems to stumble more than it takes
in its cinematic entertainment strides; drumming up several critical problems
along its proceedings and executions. The big thing that immediately stands out
is the overall premise of the feature. Yes, I mentioned above that it was a
cool premise and actually worked, but it ultimately fizzles out halfway through
the feature. The gimmick making the film’s main character a weaponized tool
(aka a super soldier with a hidden agenda by those who gifted him) isn’t quite
the revolutionary idea, but it is something that certainly captured my
attention. So, the first half of the movie is compelling in that regard.
However, after the second half, Bloodshot loses that steam and ultimately winds
up being quite generic and boring. In truth, much of the film is riddled with a
certain predictable formula and generic-esque nature, which stems from a
several reasons. First and foremost, the feature’s script, which was penned by
Jeff Wadlow and Eric Heissrer, is rather simplistic. Sure, it hits all the
right elements of a sci-fi action story (throw in a bit of revenge twist), but
its all pretty straightforward and leaves nothing but a whole “been there, done
that” feeling; utilizing recycled plots beats and formulaic progression that
does little to stimulate entertainment….except for a barrage of actions scenes.
In truth, nothing about Bloodshot stands out and just feels like the film’s
story is borrowing heavily upon other movie ideas. There’s a little bit of
Robocop, Taken, Minority Report, and several other films that Bloodshot’s
script takes from and tries to past of as its own, which doesn’t work. In
conjunction with that idea, the script doesn’t really make the characters
endearing and / or likeable as much as the film wants them to be. he other
problem could possibly stem from is in Wilson’s inexperience as a film
director. Of course, as first attempts go, he does an admirable job , but,
while he has a good grasp on visual aesthetics, he relies too heavily on them
and not so on character development and making the feature stand on its own
merits as much as trying to create “wow” moments, which don’t work as well.
Additionally, while the movie’s action is quite heavy and appealing, it never
really stands out at being memorable or awe-inspiring. There are some cool
staged events of action sequences, yet what’s presented in Bloodshot seems
muted and wonky. Some of these problematic criticisms stems from the film’s
visual effects, which are not quite up to par on the industry standards of
making cleverly utilized. Yes, some parts do work, but there many scenes where CGI visual effect shots look at
little bit flimsy and dated; clearly showcasing the sloppiness of some pivotal
scenes (i.e. the entire elevator fight sequence). This also extends to some of
the camera work, especially in the whole “shaky camera” manipulation movement
that’s heavily used in the movie. Of course, this technique is utilized to try
and capture a sort of frenzy body
movement of its various characters its focusing on i.e a chase scene or action
sequence. However, this technique is overused in the movie and creates a sort
of wonky and disjointed feeling when used.
The cast in Bloodshot is pretty good. Yes, there are some
recognizable names attached to this project and some do turn a decent enough
performance for the various characters that they play, but most do not truly
shine or act memorable in the film. This is mostly due to the film’s
characteristic and development being rather generic and formulaic and not so
much in the acting department. This is clearly pinpointed in the case of
Bloodshot’s main protagonist character of Ray Garrison, who is played by actor
Vin Diesel. Of course, Diesel, known for his roles in the Fast and Furious
franchise as well as XXX and Guardians of the Galaxy, has proven to be the lead
role in various action-oriented features (i.e. the alpha male lead). So, doing
a project like this, is something Diesel is quite capable and comfortable
doing, without feeling out of place or wonky. Thus, Diesel is perfectly fine as
Ray and certainly carries the weight of the movie on his shoulders for most of
the film’s action and drama beats…. even though he can be a bit wooden with his
dialogue a few times.
The same can be said with the other players of the Rising
Spirt Technology organization, who are simply generic stock-like characters,
despite being handled / performed by talented individuals. A prime of example
of this is in the character of Dr. Emil Harting, the overseer mastermind behind
Rising Spirt. Played by actor Guy Pearce, known for his roles in Memento, L.A.
Confidential, and Prometheus, the character of Dr. Harting is the stereotypical
scientist / tycoon mogul whose agenda plays a part with the main protagonist,
but it’s quite clear that he has ulterior motives. Its’ definitely a
straightforward character, despite the attempts to make his motives ambiguous
as this archetype has been done and redone many times over. Pearce is fine in
the role; playing up the suave and methodically calculating individual of Dr.
Harting, but its generic at best. The other team members that work alongside
Ray at Rising Spirt Technology (working under Dr. Harting), including Eiza Gonzalez as KT, actor Sam Heughan as Dalton, and Alex Hernandez as Dibbs, are relatively okay
and are, more or less, visual stock-like characters. Sure, KT gets some screen
time as a somewhat female companion to Ray and Dalton comes off as the
secondary “baddie” in the feature, but they end up being thinly and hollow for much
of the feature. Even Dibbs gets pushed aside and doesn’t evolve beyond his
initial setup. It’s just a disappointment.
The only character that feels really “out of place” in
Bloodshot’s narrative is the character of Wilfred Wiggins, a computer programmer
who is familiar with Rising Sprit’s technology and gets entangled with Ray’s
plight. Played by actor Lamorne Morris (New Girl and Barbershop: The Next Cut),
the character of Wiggins tried to infuse a lot of the film’s comedic beats in
this otherwise gravitas sci-fi action feature, which does seem forced more
often than not. There are few scenes that garnished a chuckle from me, but
Wiggins (and proximity Morris’s performance) just feel unnecessary in the film
and creates a sort of disjointed feeling whenever on-screen.
So lastly the film’s ending is prompted for a possible
sequel, I do have feeling that a second installment is unlikely to materialize.
In the end, Bloodshot has some decent action scenes and visual effects to
appeal to those of the sci-fi action variety, but its story’s interesting
premise just ends up fizzling out in a flat and throwaway feature.
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