Summary
- Dave Bautista’s career has seen highs with roles like Drax in MCU, but the sequel to “My Spy” is a misfire due to lack of acting challenges.
- “My Spy: The Eternal City” failed to capture the magic of its predecessor, leading to low ratings and disappointing reviews for Bautista.
- Bautista’s recent success in dramatic roles shows his potential, but “The Eternal City” falls short and lacks top-tier filmmaking to push him to greatness.
As a film critic who has been following Dwayne “The Rock” Bautista’s acting career since his breakout role in the original My Spy, I was both excited and apprehensive when I heard that Amazon Prime Video would be releasing the sequel, The Eternal City. Having grown up watching WWE wrestling matches featuring The Rock, I have always been a fan of his charisma and natural charm on screen.
One of today’s most beloved entertainers, formerly a professional wrestler named Dave Bautista, has experienced remarkable success since his chilling performance in “Blade Runner 2049” (released in 2017). Since then, Bautista joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Drax the Destructor alongside The Guardians of the Galaxy. In 2020, Bautista showcased his leading role abilities in the espionage comedy “My Spy.” This film was quite successful and even led to a sequel scheduled for release in 2024. However, unfortunately, the follow-up does not live up to the original’s excellence.
Intriguingly enough, the writers Erich and Jon Hoeber, along with director Pete Segal, behind “My Spy: The Eternal City” could not manage to replicate the enchantment of its prequel. Sadly, this has brought Dwayne “The Rock” Bautista’s impressive winning streak to a halt. Accordingly, “My Spy: The Eternal City” is considered one of Bautista’s lowest-rated films in recent memory. With around ten upcoming projects on his plate, it raises questions about what went wrong with “The Eternal City,” and if the actor can once again find the secret recipe for success.
Dave Bautista’s Career so Far
After achieving great success as a professional wrestler and MMA fighter, Dave Bautista made the move to acting in 2006. He initially appeared in “Smallville,” but gained more recognition through roles in films like “Wrong Side of Town,” “House of the Rising Sun,” “The Man with the Iron Fists,” and “Riddic”k. In 2014, Bautista’s fame skyrocketed when he landed the part of Drax the Destroyer in “Guardians of the Galaxy.” Since then, he has reprised this role numerous times and is now strongly associated with it.
I’ve come a long way from playing fun sidekicks in small productions. Now, as my gaming skills and experience level up, I find myself taking on starring roles in major cinematic epics. My breakthrough performance as Sapper Morton in Blade Runner 2049 (2017) left a lasting impression on audiences and critics alike. Denis Villeneuve saw my potential and cast me as Beast Rabban in Dune, which turned out to be one of my most critically acclaimed roles yet. The first part of Dune (2021) received an impressive 83% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while the second part (2024) is already shaping up to be a smash hit with a whopping 92% score.
Between the releases of “Blade Runner 2049” and “Dune,” Bautista garnered significant acclaim for transitioning his supporting roles into leading performances. Noteworthy examples include “My Spy” on Prime Video, where Bautista’s heartfelt connection with young co-star Chloe Coleman drives this charming spy comedy. Other successful projects include Zack Snyder’s “Army of the Dead” and its sequel “Army of Thieves,” Ryan Johnson’s “Glass Onion,” M. Night Shyamalan’s “Knock at the Cabin,” “Parachute,” and Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning film “The Boy and the Heron.” With such a strong recent acting history, it is surprising that “My Spy: The Eternal City” did not fare well.
What Is My Spy: The Eternal City?
My Spy: The Eternal City is a new film from the same team behind My Spy (2020). This time around, CIA agent JJ (Bautista) and his former blackmailer Sophie (Chloe Coleman) continue their story as they embark on new international adventures. In the first movie, Sophie manipulated JJ into teaching her espionage skills, and together they hunted down her criminal uncle-in-law. Although My Spy followed a predictable script, it received praise for the amusing chemistry between Bautista and Coleman. Unfortunately, despite the return of the original writers and directors, My Spy: The Eternal City failed to live up to expectations. While My Spy had a mediocre 48% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, this sequel disappointed critics even more.
On July 18, 2024, “My Spy: The Eternal City” became available on Amazon Prime Video. In this installment, JJ and Chloe travel to Italy and work together to prevent a dangerous terrorist plot. The beautiful Italian landscapes and appearances by recurring characters Bobbi (played by Kristen Schaal) and David Kim (Ken Jeong) weren’t enough to recapture the playful spirit of the original. Unfortunately, “The Eternal City” has received negative reviews from critics since its release, with many considering it one of Bautista’s weaker films in his acting career.
The film “My Spy: The Eternal City” has received unfavorable reviews, with only 21% approval from critics and 29% from audiences based on Rotten Tomatoes and audience scores. Although these poor ratings might not impact the director, writers, and supporting actors, it could have significant repercussions for Bautista, considering his successful stint as a leading man in Hollywood.
Why My Spy: The Eternal City Is Such a Misfire for Bautista
The primary issue leading to “My Spy: The Eternal City” being a missed opportunity for Bautista is that the role didn’t offer him significant acting challenges as a well-known leading man. He was mainly required to rekindle the magnetic chemistry with Coleman from the initial film, and beyond that, his responsibilities were minimal. This part seemed effortless for Bautista at this point in his career, and when put next to his recent dramatic roles, his acting in The Eternal City fell far short of showcasing his full potential. As for the movie itself, its inconsistent tone from scene to scene created a disjointed montage that paled in comparison to other successful spy comedies.
As a long-time fan of Dwayne “The Rock” Bautista, I’ve been fortunate enough to witness his remarkable transformation from a professional wrestler to a versatile and captivating actor. However, it wasn’t until recently that I was truly taken aback by the depth of his acting abilities. In the chilling thriller “Knock at the Cabin,” Bautista delivers a haunting performance that leaves a lasting impression.
In a similar vein, Bautista’s chilling portrayal of Glossu “Beast” Rabban in Dune builds on the promise he showed while working with Villeneuve in Blade Runner 2049. Whether collaborating with esteemed directors and acting powerhouses or carrying a film as the lead character, Bautista shines brightest when faced with tough challenges. Unfortunately, My Spy: The Eternal City lacks the prestigious production values to bring out Bautista’s best. The initial My Spy relied on his innate charm and the sequel asked for a repetition of his previous performance. To reclaim his place in critically-acclaimed films, Bautista needs more compelling scripts and skilled storytellers to unlock his full potential.
My Spy: The Eternal City is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video
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2024-07-24 23:31