Summary
- Despite lackluster reviews,
The Union,
starring Halle Berry and Mark Wahlberg, became a Netflix hit. - The film’s stacked cast and sleek visuals couldn’t save a script deemed generic by critics.
- Netflix’s Top 10 films can lack critical acclaim, but the mindless fun of
The Union
attracts viewers.
As a long-time movie enthusiast who has seen my fair share of both critically acclaimed masterpieces and mindless popcorn flicks, I must say that the success of “The Union” on Netflix’s Top 10 list is a testament to the power of audience preference over critical reception.
Stars Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry have been mainstays of Hollywood for more than three decades. Throughout their impressive careers, they’ve graced us with a variety of memorable roles in numerous high-profile and critically acclaimed films. Halle Berry, an Academy Award winner, has demonstrated her versatility by convincingly portraying diverse characters across various genres, including standout performances in movies like “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge,” “Monster’s Ball,” the “X-Men” series, and “Die Another Day.”
Similarly, Wahlberg successfully moved away from his musical career and emerged as one of Hollywood’s top leading actors, demonstrating his acting talents in hit films like Boogie Nights, The Italian Job, The Departed, and Ted. Given their impressive portfolios, it seemed that the talented pair would create some fantastic cinema when they collaborated on Netflix’s action comedy, The Union. However, this wasn’t quite the outcome that was expected.
The amusing movie premiered on the streaming behemoth on August 16, 2024, but received mixed reactions from critics despite becoming popular enough to reach the number one spot on the Top 10 list. Let’s delve deeper into this underwhelming spy comedy and understand why it didn’t strike a chord with audiences.
Who Stars in The Union & What Is It About?
In the action comedy “The Union”, Oscar-winning actors Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry star. Berry portrays Roxanne Hall, a shrewd secret agent who returns to her New Jersey hometown after two decades. She seeks out Mike McKenna, her old high school sweetheart, with the intention of recruiting him for an urgent mission. Unaware, Mike’s peaceful and relaxed lifestyle is disrupted when his ex-girlfriend reappears. He gets swept away on a whirlwind journey around the globe filled with espionage, romance, and excitement.
As a longtime fan of action-packed series and movies, I can confidently say that the new Netflix original has caught my attention. With a talented cast including J.K. Simmons, Mike Colter, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, and Lorraine Bracco, this show promises to deliver an exciting ride. The story revolves around Roxanne and Mike, two characters who find themselves in a high-stakes mission to recover top-secret government intelligence.
The Union Is a Streaming Hit, but Critical Dud
Although boasting an impressive ensemble featuring top-tier entertainers, The Union received unfavorable feedback from critics, largely due to its unremarkable reviews and a narrative that was perceived as ordinary. Many viewers felt that the acting talents of Berry and Wahlberg were underutilized in a mediocre script and routine plotline, suggesting that they deserved more for their initial collaboration on this project.
Despite receiving praise for its stylish aesthetics, thrilling action scenes, and captivating performances by the lead actors, the film fell short due to its uneven rhythm and predictable action movie structure. Not even Berry’s versatile acting skills could rescue the unoriginal action spectacle. The Union garnered a 36% rating from critics and an abysmal 25% rating from audiences, leaving viewers with a sense of déjà vu, as they felt the storyline was overly familiar in the realm of Hollywood productions.
In a not-so-favorable critique, Empire Magazine stated that “The Union” is predictable and unremarkable, much like a familiar action-comedy. However, the presence of Halle Berry and Mark Wahlberg adds an enjoyable dynamic to the film. Despite the opportunity to showcase its talented ensemble cast, the movie felt repetitive and could have been more innovative.
Despite receiving negative reviews from critics, The Union managed to climb to the top of Netflix’s Top 10 Movies list and has accumulated a staggering 60.1 million hours of viewership since its release on August 16, 2024. This impressive viewer count surpasses other popular titles such as Ambulance, Night School, and Inside the Mind of a Dog. Currently, this action-comedy is the number one movie in an astounding 93 countries on Netflix, fending off stiff competition to maintain its position atop the streaming giant’s most coveted slot. This achievement demonstrates that a critical drubbing holds little weight when it comes to audience favorites on the platform.
Lackluster Reviews Can’t Hold Underwhelming Films Down
Simply being on Netflix’s Top 10 movies doesn’t automatically make it a critically acclaimed masterpiece. Many films have climbed to the top that, in theory, shouldn’t even be number one. For instance, before the collaboration between Wahlberg and Berry took the lead, the universally derided animated comedy, The Emoji Movie, held the top position, despite its poor 6% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Despite receiving a low 26% rating on a popular website and not fully utilizing the comedic talents of Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish, Night School still ranked among the top three movies. Similarly, Atlas on Netflix (starring Jennifer Lopez) and Jerry Seinfeld’s Unfrosted were streaming successes despite receiving mixed reviews from audiences and critics upon release. Even though Netflix is one of the world’s most successful entertainment services, it doesn’t always get everything right and occasionally produces questionable original films.
As a film aficionado, I can confidently say that both Wahlberg and Berry have the potential to deliver exceptional performances beyond their roles in “The Union.” Berry, with her extensive Hollywood resume, has demonstrated versatility like no other, from playing the captivating Bond girl Jinx in “Die Another Day” to portraying the fierce superhero Storm in the “X-Men” series. She even earned an Academy Award for her stunning performance in the romantic drama “Monster’s Ball.”
The Union, with its lighthearted and entertaining vibe, is ideal for relaxing and watching when you need a break. As far as plot depth or awards are concerned, it’s not exactly Oscar material (though a Razzie might be within reach). However, if you’re a fan of the dynamic duo Berry and Wahlberg, or simply enjoy action-comedy films, you’ll find the 107 minutes engaging enough to unwind and forget about life’s pressures. Give The Union a spin on Netflix.
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2024-08-23 06:01