Julian Cannon

Amazon MGM Studios’ The Wrecking Crew has a unique take on the usual buddy cop drama, as its story ends up being the true highlight of the film rather than the action packed sequences.

While there is no shortage of fights, chases, and shootouts, the narrative focus gives the movie a slightly different rhythm than most entries in the genre.

The Wrecking Crew boasts heavyweight star power with Dave Bautista as James Hale, Jason Momoa as Johnny Hale, Morena Baccarin as Valentina, Johnny’s wife, along with Jacob Batalon and the rest of the ensemble. On paper, the cast is impressive, but the downside of stacking the film with big names is that it struggles to fully balance them, resulting in a movie with strong presence but limited cohesion in how everything comes together.

Story wise, the two hour film feels like Bad Boys with a twist. James is a disciplined Navy SEAL with a family and a seemingly perfect life, while his half brother Johnny is an unhinged cop living in chaos. When their father is murdered in Hawaii, the two are forced to reunite and put their differences aside to unravel a larger conspiracy and take down those responsible. The contrast between the brothers drives much of the film and gives it emotional weight beyond the surface level action.

Bautista once again proves his range as an actor, delivering what I believe are the strongest performances in the film. His scenes feel grounded and emotionally present, while much of the supporting cast comes across as one dimensional. Momoa is the biggest offender here, despite having a few moments that work well. His first fight scene, a heart to heart moment with Bautista, several comedic beats with Batalon, and one standout moment during the climax show flashes of what could have been a more layered performance.

One of the more distracting elements was the blatant product placement, particularly the repeated shots of Johnny Hale drinking Guinness every few scenes. It was not the beer itself that bothered me, but how aggressively it pulled me out of the movie and made me think about how much of the budget was tied to advertising.

That said, the chemistry between Bautista and Momoa does work. Their dynamic shifts naturally from comedic banter to personal tension to full “get it done” mode. As mentioned earlier, this film leans more on story than action, and that choice mostly works. Too many films in this genre prioritize nonstop action over substance, but The Wrecking Crew keeps its focus on character and motivation from beginning to end.

At its core, the film is about family, unresolved trauma, and how the Hale brothers were shaped by their father both before and after his death. Their long estrangement feels earned, and the emotional beats land better than expected for a movie of this type. Running alongside that personal story is a minor political conspiracy involving a mayoral election and the future of Hawaii, which adds another layer without fully taking over the narrative.

Morena Baccarin’s Valentina is introduced early as she breaks up with Johnny, and by the third act, she is pulled into the brothers’ mission. Unfortunately, this only highlights how underutilized her character is. There was clear potential for Valentina to play a more impactful role, but the film never fully commits to giving her that space.

The chase sequence is one of the film’s strongest moments, pushing the tension forward and making you wonder what it will actually take to stop the crew. While it was genuinely exciting, the post production VFX could have benefited from more polish. Watching the film in a Regal theater with a 4K screen made those issues more noticeable than they should have been.

The final act shifts into a stealth heavy mission that turns brutal and bloody. A long, uninterrupted camera cut pays homage to a scene on Oldboy, which I appreciated, and the conclusion ultimately feels satisfying. It also leaves the door open for a sequel, clearly signaling that this world and these characters may not be done yet.

The Wrecking Crew is far from perfect, but it succeeds where it matters most by prioritizing story and character over empty spectacle. Strong performances from Bautista, solid chemistry between the leads, and a focus on family dynamics elevate the film above standard buddy cop fare. While underdeveloped characters, heavy product placement, and uneven visuals hold it back, the film still delivers an engaging ride that feels intentional rather than disposable. If a sequel happens, there is enough groundwork here to tighten the formula and fully realize the potential this first outing hints at.