Summary
- Ambulance
, directed by Michael Bay, is a Netflix hit despite being his biggest box office failure, grossing just $52 million. - Climbing the global Netflix charts, the action spectacle quickly garnered 9.3 million hours viewed.
- While it’s Bay’s biggest box office bomb, it’s also his most acclaimed film on Rotten Tomatoes thanks to Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance and state-of-the-art camera work.
As a movie enthusiast with over three decades of film viewing under my belt, I must say that “Ambulance,” directed by Michael Bay, has certainly piqued my interest. Despite being his biggest box office failure, it’s climbing the global Netflix charts and garnering impressive viewership numbers, which is quite unusual for a film flop.
The fast-paced action movie titled “Ambulance,” directed by Michael Bay, has been a successful addition to Netflix’s lineup based on their international viewership data. Despite being released in 2022, the film marked one of Bay’s biggest financial flops at the box office, earning approximately $52 million against a budget of $40 million. This underwhelming performance was disappointing for its producers who had high hopes for a Michael Bay action film during the gradual recovery of the theater industry from the COVID-19 pandemic. Given that his films have collectively grossed nearly $8 billion, they had placed great trust in him.
Despite initially underperforming at the box office, causing its director to take a break from directing for some time, this movie has been soaring up Netflix’s global top 10 charts since it began streaming. It has amassed a total of 9.3 million hours viewed and 4.1 million views outside the U.S., which is quite impressive. What makes this even more intriguing is that it’s Michael Bay’s highest-rated film as a director on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 68% Tomatometer score (slightly surpassing The Rock) and an outstanding 88% audience score.
The plot revolves around two adopted brothers, Will and Danny, who embark on a daring heist for $32 million. Initially, Will is reluctant, but Danny manages to persuade him that the operation would be swift and easy. However, things don’t go as planned when a police officer unexpectedly walks into the bank building, thwarting their attempt. Forced to flee, they hijack an ambulance with an EMT named Cam attending to an injured cop, Zach. Despite Cam’s best efforts, the brothers in control of the vehicle prioritize one thing above all: escaping alive from the failed heist and the subsequent manhunt.
1) The movie features Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Eiza González, Jackson White, Keir O’Donnell, Garret Dillahunt, Moses Ingram, and Colin Woodell. Interestingly, it was filmed during the COVID-19 restrictions in Los Angeles, which provided Bay with a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of his typical filmmaking style: everything needs to be more expansive and intense.
Ambulance: Michael Bay’s Best Film?
As a movie critic, I must confess that many viewers might not be aware that “Ambulance” is a remake of a 2005 Danish film with the same title. Some might argue that Bay had a roadmap to follow, but he chose to steer clear of it, opting instead for his signature large-scale stunts and spectacles. However, unlike his past works, Bay decided not to delve into the script or watch the original film. Instead, he aimed to create a gripping, claustrophobic action movie while sticking to his distinctive style. Indeed, “Ambulance” carries the Bay touch, but what truly sets it apart is its intrigue – an element that rarely graces Bay’s films.
Strong Characters
Michael Bay doesn’t usually create movies with well-developed characters who speak in realistic, authentic dialogue. However, the trio of actors – Gyllenhaal, González, and Abdul-Mateen – bring an impressive combination of versatility and depth to the film that keeps it engaging until the end. They manage to make their roles intriguing by adapting to Bay’s distinctive style. In particular, Gyllenhaal portrays a character that ticks like a time bomb, providing comic relief in suitable scenes. The ending may stir up emotions in some viewers and even bring a few tears to their eyes.
Watch Our Ranking of the Best Jake Gyllenhaal Performances Below:
Ambulance’s State-of-the-Art Camera Work
In the high-octane film Ambulance, the stunt work is jaw-droppingly good, earning it a spot among the underappreciated action movies of the past decade. Michael Bay excelled once again with his mastery over action sequences and direction, but these scenes are similar to what we’ve come to expect from him. However, it’s the cinematography that truly sets this film apart. This is particularly evident in the skillful use of first-person shots captured by drones piloted by Jordan Temkin and Alex Vanover of the Drone Racing League. Some of these drone shots will leave you spellbound and questioning the technology and physics behind their creation.
In many parts of the world, you can stream “Ambulance” on Netflix. However, within the U.S., it’s exclusively streaming on Starz. Additionally, if you prefer to rent or purchase it digitally, platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV, Google Play, and Fandango Now offer this service.
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2024-08-21 23:05