Facu’s review published on Letterboxd:
First time watching a Michael Bay film in theaters since Transformers: Dark of the Moon and this time I didn't want to blow my fucking brains out, so I guess that's a win.
Bay's trademark style is alive and well, from the dutch angles, color palette and lens flare, to the firework explosions, melodrama and overlong runtime, yet it's done in a balanced and organic way, leading to a focused and visceral experience.
Jake Gyllenhall hams it up beautifully and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II does great acting as counterbalance. Their chemistry is a highlight that carries the film, even in the slower moments, and their relationship does give the film a solid foundation for the emotional moments.
The direction is surprisingly solid and the camerawork has a pretty kinetic feel at times. There are various shots and sequences that go hard as fuck.
The comedy works for the most part. A couple of weak lines but overall a noticable improvement over his last few movies.
It's not a perfect film, the editing can be a bit messy and their are a couple of jarring tonal shifts, but it's simple premise, thrilling direction and great performances make for a really fun, adrenaline-fueled time.