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Ambulance 4K UHD Review

Michael Bay being Michael Bay. Make of that as you will.

At one point in this exceedingly long 137 minute remake (which has an 80-90 minute premise at maximum), one character references not one but two Michael Bay movies…in a Michael Bay movie. The ego of this guy. But really, what else would you expect from a Michael Bay movie? His ego is always the star. He does things his way in an often dizzying flashy style that overshadows anything and everything on the page. The same can be said for his latest work “Ambulance.”

The Chris Fedak scripted story revolves around a veteran (Will) who is in desperate need of money for his wife’s surgery. He contacts his adoptive brother Danny (a criminal) who winds up looping him into a bank robbery job. You know what happens next- the job goes south, people die, and the cops begin to swarm around the thieves. Will and Danny make it out alive and hijink an ambulance with an EMT (Cam) who is trying to keep a police officer alive that Will previously shot. Now, the ambulance races around Los Angeles while the cops and eventually the FBI follow suit. Can the two get out of this mess alive or are they doomed?

Michael Bay attempts to make “Ambulance” more of a character drama but fails spectacularly. That is unless you find overly dramatic moments in which Will says “This is real life!” or Danny screaming endlessly about, well, everything to be the height of drama. Let’s be real, this is just another action-thriller with all of the Bay trademarks- an American flag, orange sky, nauseating handheld camera work, lens flare, vehicular action, quick cuts, explosions, and cornball humor. It’s Bay’s version of “Speed” as the movie is just one long chase through L.A. while cars smash through objects and Bay plays with drones like he’s a kid in a candy store.

Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Eliza Gonzalez are the central stars. Gonzalez fares the best as the tough Cam while Yahya Abdul-Mateen II attempts to ground the movie with his character Will. Gyllenhaal (an actor who has a great filmography) gives arguably his worst performance here as the irritating, scenery chewing Danny. It’s unclear if Gyllenhaal just threw caution to the wind because he was in a Bay movie, but whatever he’s doing in this movie is a real head scratcher.

The only props this movie deserves is that Bay goes all out in using practical effects in the vehicular and aerial action sequences. It’s refreshing to see that in an era with so much CGI. 

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.35:1 2160p With Dolby Vision. How does it look? Expect a pristine print.

Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. How does it sound? It’s a Bay movie so if you want loud you certainly get it with this explosive track. 

Extras:
* Blu-ray copy
* Digital copy
* “Bayhem”- A behind-the-scenes look at the making of action set pieces. Cast and crew interviews are included.
* “Pedal To The Metal”- A featurette on filming in an ambulance.
* “Aerial Assault” covers the use of drones and helicopters.
* “Finding Ambulance”- A basic featurette on the film.
* “Chase Capital Of The World” is all about filming in Los Angeles.
* “A Tribute To First Responders” covers the strive to be authentic in paying tribute to first responders and paramedics in the film.

June 13, 2022 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | Action Movie, Ambulance 4K UHD Review, Ambulance Movie, Eliza Gonzalez, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Bay