‘Wolfs’ Review: Brad Pitt and George Clooney Reunite for a Cunning Caper That Never Takes Itself Too Seriously — Sometimes to a Fault

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‘Wolfs’ Review: Brad Pitt and George Clooney Reunite for a Cunning Caper That Never Takes Itself Too Seriously — Sometimes to a Fault

As a seasoned gamer with decades of immersion in virtual worlds and countless hours spent observing the ebb and flow of the entertainment industry, I can’t help but feel a twinge of nostalgia when I reflect on the cinematic partnership between Brad Pitt and George Clooney. Having grown up watching their iconic performances in films like “Ocean’s Eleven” and “Burn After Reading,” it’s bittersweet to see them grapple with the shifting sands of Hollywood in a movie like “Wolfs.”

Can movie stars stay cool forever?

The central theme that appears to be at play in the witty, expertly crafted action comedy “Wolfs,” starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney who previously starred together in the “Ocean’s” trilogy, seems to revolve around a profound existential question. In their earlier collaboration, they were two of the most prominent actors globally, and even a film like the Coen brothers’ “Burn After Reading,” which marked their last on-screen partnership, managed to earn over $160 million despite its offbeat nature and commercial unconventionality.

Over a decade has passed, and both actors are now in their 60s. The film industry is not what it once was, as evidenced by the movie “Wolfs,” initially slated for a wide release by Apple, but instead will have a one-week limited theatrical run before streaming. Could it be that Pitt and Clooney can’t draw the audiences they did in their prime? Or is it because Americans no longer show up for movies that aren’t based on established intellectual properties (which raises another question: Are Pitt and Clooney considered their own form of established intellectual properties)?

Regardless of the outcome, it’s a pity that ‘Wolfs’, a film worthy of cinema viewing, isn’t getting the big-screen treatment it deserves. Instead, it’s being watched in bed on a MacBook perched precariously on your lap. Directed by Jon Watts, who made his mark with the 2015 hit ‘Cop Car’, this movie is filled with unexpected twists and features a stylish, dry humor that’s rare these days in Hollywood. It’s a mix of being entertaining yet shallow, but ultimately, it boils down to bringing Pitt and Clooney together again to see if their on-screen chemistry still sparkles, which it largely does.

Two characters, similar to Jean Reno’s role in “La Femme Nikita” or Harvey Keitel as the Wolf in “Pulp Fiction”, are hired for what seems like a straightforward task – a lengthy, snowy, and action-filled night in New York City. Their assignment is to dispose of a corpse found in a luxury hotel room belonging to a district attorney (Amy Ryan). However, things don’t go as planned, as the body turns out to be alive, revealing itself to be a chatty, anxious teenager (Austin Abrams) who unknowingly carries four kilos of heroin in his backpack.

Pitt and Clooney, known by these names since their characters lack names, each boast of being the city’s top and sole problem solvers – independent professionals who shine in the impossible. Previously, they were adversaries, but circumstances have compelled them to collaborate. While you don’t need to be familiar with films like Bad Boys, 48 Hours, or Lethal Weapon to predict that their relationship will evolve from fierce rivals to friends, if not allies of a complicated sort.

In each scene, Watts skillfully brings out both the tension and humor by focusing on subtle gestures and facial expressions, even during dialogue-light moments. This is similar to his work in films like “Cop Car” or his TV series “The Old Man”. Remarkably, he excels at creating visual comedy and action using minimal shots and cuts – a contrast to the excessive shooting often seen in action movies today.

At its peak, “Wolfs” pushes its unique style to great extremes, primarily featuring a two-person drama played out on numerous deserted Manhattan streets or within Clooney’s luxurious BMW. Additional characters are introduced, such as the previously mentioned “kid,” a doctor (Poorna Jagannathan) who runs her practice from a restaurant in Chinatown, and an Albanian mob boss (Zlatko Burić), whose daughter’s extravagant wedding is where the two main characters unexpectedly appear.

However, similar to Pitt and Clooney’s characters, these do not feel like genuine individuals. Instead, they appear to be inhabitants of a film realm more akin to the ’90s-style fantasies of Tarantino rather than anything authentic or modern. Consequently, whether they survive or perish, fight or reconcile, become friends or foes, doesn’t seem to hold much significance.

While Pitt and Clooney undoubtedly dominate the movie from beginning to end, it’s worth noting that despite being cleverly crafted with numerous twists and stylish action scenes, “Wolves” might not have a lot of substance to truly carry the narrative through in the end.

In response to your initial query, there comes a moment in this review where the child, who embodies the quintessential New York nerd, expresses admiration towards Pitt and Clooney, and rightly so, given their impressive actions. One such instance is when Clooney swiftly captures a body within the hotel room with a single graceful motion, then nonchalantly carries it downstairs on a luggage cart and carelessly tosses it into the trunk of his BMW. Even at later stages, when they both need to put on their reading glasses reminiscent of elderly gentlemen, they maintain an air of composure that rivals a calm cucumber.

However, one might question whether this belief is still widely held. Modern young adults, such as teenagers and those in their 20s, might not be familiar with these actors or the movies they’ve starred in. It’s also plausible that they don’t watch many films anymore, if they ever did.

In essence, if the film “Wolfs” carries any meaning, it might be exploring whether today’s Hollywood celebrities still hold the same influence and allure they once did when films held greater significance for the public. The outcome of this exploration remains uncertain, as “Wolfs” concludes by depicting Pitt and Clooney in a joint action scene, suggesting: If they no longer captivate us, at least they can rely on each other.

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2024-09-01 22:55