Ambulance (2022) Poster

(2022)

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6/10
Old Bay Seasoning (Money Train 2)
ant890018 April 2023
So if you took Money Train, mated it with The Island and let the child be raised by someone who watched Heat once in 7th grade and thought it was cool but couldn't quite remember everything about it, you'd get this movie. It's really predictable and still entertaining. As with most Mike Bay offerings the female lead manages to stay gorgeous throughout. The male leads either have or don't have a moral compass. And operators, everybody's an operator. JG spends the whole movie accurately pewning people with no red dot and his "flip up back up sights" down. Damn you Old Bay seasoning, you made me think these seasoned fries were crab fries like I'm back at Chickie and Pete's.
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6/10
Michael Bay for a drone for his birthday
Stumidnight23 April 2022
Check your brain at the door.

It's a wild ride, that makes NO SENSE.

You have to keep remembering.... it's a Michael Bay film.

Oh... and he LOVES drone footage.
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6/10
Too long & camera work is tedious
g-608551 April 2022
Michael Bay is a great action director but he's no story teller.

Stereotypical gunho cops who are outwitted by 2 criminals driving a heavy ambulance carrying 4 people ,even though they drive souped up Ford Mustangs.

Good start but it goes on way too long.

Also the camerawork made me go dizzy.
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More Exhausting Than Exhilarating
CinemaClown3 May 2022
Stylishly directed, jam-packed with chases and keeping the fun aspect alive for the most part if not all the way, Ambulance moves into top gear relatively quick and never takes the foot off the pedal once it gets going but the road it takes to reach its destination ends up being longer than what the gas in the tank can handle, thus resulting in a ride that's running on fumes way before the end is in sight.

Directed by Michael Bay, the premise is simple, setup is quick & thrills are endless even if much of the narrative elements seem underdeveloped. Bay utilises his usual unabashed over-the-top approach that provide his standard blockbuster fares an explosive, extravagant flavour and he amplifies the nonstop action some more with kinetic camerawork, chaotic vibe, frenetic editing and wicked character interplay.

The energy & passion is evident in execution and the use of drones to film the chase sequences is undoubtedly inspiring but this would've been an even better action-thriller if it was trimmed to a tight & tense 90 mins ride. Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II & Eiza González remain in sync with the craziness on display. And while the interest & momentum isn't lost, one does start to feel its 136 mins runtime in the remaining half.

Overall, Ambulance is amusing, entertaining & preposterous in all the ways a Michael Bay film is expected to be but it is also a whole lot of fast fun & furious frivolity that manages to get plenty of mileage out of its barebone premise. The lack of restraint isn't an issue since it is one of the fine qualities of a Bayhem production but its overlong length does leave you feeling more exhausted than exhilarated in the end. In short, a gleeful & enjoyable delight.
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6/10
Explosions, jarring camera shots...Michael Bay
Birajyogi17 March 2022
Weird angles, low shots, crane shots, jib shots, drone shots, all of that is combined to form a by-the-books Michael Bay flick. I watched this film during a special premiere in Tallinn and it was way better than expected.

The only reason I bought a ticket was to see Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Jake Gyllenhal. There was really no expectation for me going in and then the LA scene started and it felt like I was watching a Bay Boys movies. I get that Bad Boys was based in Florida, but Michael Bay captured the same all-sun hot and fast vibe.

There is not much in terms of a coherent plot. But who cares at this point. You chose to watch a Michael Bay movie. It doesn't make sense? Well nothing by the director has made sense since the 90s. It is all explosive fun.

If you have seen enough Michael Bay movies by now you already know the dizzying circular shots are coming, same camera angles and clips are going to be repeated, but this is certainly one of Mr. Bay's watchable works.

Even as you will be scratching your head why all this is happening the rapid pace just takes you. The best comp I have is Unstoppable starring Chris Pine and Denzel Washington. Not the same level of stakes or execution or suspense or great. But heart pounding nonetheless.

If you like Michael Bay's work, then give this a go. Others who may come in expecting bigger and better things, maybe stay away. This is a action vehicle (literally) so just enjoy it as one no need for a thinking cap on this one.
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6/10
Script written by 5 year olds
pedro38008527 March 2022
The action scenes on this movie are awesome. They are intense, fast faced and fun.

But the dialog, oh the dialog is dreadful. The script makes no sense et all. The arguments and actions taken by both cops and thieves are so weak, like if they were leaving in fantasy land. I will not mention any particular situation here cause I don't want to be flagged as spoilers, but just keep in mind that if you are going to watch this movie the script is bonkers.

Also, what is this thing with Michael Bay that the camera viewfinder is always moving like crazy in different directions? Is that his personal directing style?

I did not give this movie a 4/10 star review because of the action scenes. So 6/10 seems fair enough to me.
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6/10
Absolutely surreal
Victor_Santamaria19 March 2022
Remake of a Danish comedy in an attempt to make an action movie where the only good thing is the performance of all its actors.

The director in his terrible line of not allowing the film to breathe without any break. The camera totally crazy shaking everywhere and getting to produce serious dizziness.
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2/10
Unsure Which is Shakier, the Cam or the Script
NosCustodimus29 March 2022
What should be a fun action flick becomes literally unwatchable as the overuse of shaky cam causes even more headaches and eye rolls than a plot with holes big enough to drive an ambulance through.
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8/10
A very enjoyable and entertaining action thriller.
sbweightman26 March 2022
A very enjoyable and entertaining film with lots of Michael Bay's signature style and an outlandish plot. It effectively builds up the tension and manages it keep it high for a long time, punctuated with light hearted moments during the stress and very little down time. It does get quite silly in the second half, but it seems to embrace the absurdity which makes the film even more entertaining. There's plenty of action, police procedural moments and cars being smashed up, but also the physical and emotional conflict between the characters within the ambulance itself. Their backstories are rather cliché, but the acting performances are strong and overall, the production is very well done.
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6/10
Can't believe Jake Gyllenhaal agreed to this!
Faisal_KK21 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
At first I was like there something off.

Lets divide the movie into 3 parts:-

1st: The director Micheal Bay it appears he just bought a drone and he wanna use it. So many scenes with the drone he go up, down, left, right and in zig zig. To the extent my eyes hurt and I felt nauseous.

2nd: he bank haist it's so messy to the extent there is no plan. Why is he drop at first down? And pick them up from the front door. Why they are going to the haist without any masks. Why they are going to haist without plan!! It was like hey brother nice to see you we were just about to make the biggest haist in history!!!

3rd: the Ending Whyyyyyy... whyyy is she going the thro patient files!! Why is she visiting a patient while she is filled with blood! And the police man was like this one save me!! Don't you remember he is the one shot you at first

jake gyllenhaal acting is the only good thing in this movie.
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1/10
I NEEDED AN AMBULANCE AFTER THIS
aramsdale28 March 2022
Michael Bay has made more rubbish films than good. The studios should stop giving him ridiculous budgets because he's just gonna spend it on smashing up as many vehicles as the budget will allow, regardless of trying to entertain the audience with anything resembling a decent film.

All 3 of us hated it.

1/10.
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8/10
Very enjoyable action
gazzellazwer29 October 2022
I truly don't understand why people watch action movies when they don't even like them? So that they can put 1 star "trash" review on IMDB? This movie is exactly what you expect when you read its description. Also - it's a Bay movie. I really enjoyed the "weird" angles of the camera that everyone's hating here, the cast is really good, it's tense the whole way until the very end. Predictable ending, yes, but it's defo a match for every action-movie lover. The dialogues could have been better, as at times it got a bit cringy and I agree with the fellow haters that at times also a bit stupid. But hey ho, who says action needs too many words? If you want some deep psychological analysis of characters, perhaps better watch something from Trier.
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7/10
Michael Bay woke up and decided to make GTA V as a movie
anandh_coda22 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
On his day off, he would have played GTA V and decided to make it as a movie.! This is exactly how many play the game, just kill someone, take a vehicle, get 5 star police and then die.! All GTA fans can definitely relate to the story and locations.!
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1/10
God awful camera work. Ok acting, trash story riddled with errors.
Xavier_Stone22 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Once you get through the entry setup it quickly jumps right into the bank heist. The are portrayed as clueless, yet the Boss Jake has loads of expensive toys from his successful robbing career.

The robbery is super simple, and it's over in 10 mins. The rest of the movie, the remaining 2 hours, is the chase. Each bag has 8Mil in 100s, which weighs 176 pounds. Both actors carry them around like they are empty. The constant erratic unstable camera work will give you a head ache, needless and annoying.

Tons of character issues. The female paramedic fleeing the ambulance with a person in critical condition. Armed gunman refuse to leave an ambulance and stays in an emergency vehicle. Lead investigator is gay and in marriage counseling at the time he gets a call. Lead cop calls off a 15 car police chase cause his dog is in one of the cars?? Wtf. Jake is making calls and arguing about party favors.

And of course it has to get even more outrageous. Lets try open chest surgery in the back of a moving ambulance rocking down the highway. More unnecessary shaky camera work. Phone battery dies.

So the same hero EMT who flees, jumps into the line of fire to prevent the group from being shot. Just so many terrible character decisions. Two brothers get into a front seat fight while driving. Ugh. Let's spray paint an EMT vehicle to disguise it.

The entire movie is based on the fear of shooting/killing a cop, then an entire attack is designed to kill cops. Unreal. Ending is just unappealing as they come. Directed by Michael Bay, one of his worst.
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7/10
This is the definition of a nonstop thrill ride
FeastMode8 April 2022
Michael Bay is back to his old ways. This is an extremely enjoyable popcorn movie. It can be characterized as a mindless action flick. But as I always say, I don't mind mindless if it entertains me. And I was fully entertained. I found myself smiling for most of the movie, constantly at the edge of my seat.

When I say nonstop thrill ride, I mean that to the fullest extent of the phrase. There is about 10 minutes of setup, followed by 2 hours of action and/or suspense. Thirty minutes into the movie I felt like I just watched the climax action scene. I was wondering where the movie could possibly go from there, but there was no need to worry. It took me for a ride. (This is why I love avoiding trailers, I knew nothing going in and had no idea what to expect.)

Everything in this movie is turned up to the max. This is especially the case with the sound effects and musical score. I watched it in IMAX with the giant screen and amazing speakers... it was ecstasy. I could feel the gunshots and explosions. And everything is intensified by the bombastic musical score by beast composer Lorne Balfe.

And this movie has a surprising amount of emotion. It's not subtle, I know it wants me to feel this way with the setup and music. But I still feel it and still enjoy it.

Downsides include some sloppiness with a few of the action moments as well as the editing. And like with any mindless action flick, you have to turn your brain off in some parts. You can't question medical plausibility or why certain drivers seem to really like crashing into stuff. Also, only about half the comedy hit, but the other half wasn't cringe-worthy.

In the end, I had a blast with this movie and will definitely watch it again. My theater was almost empty which is sad. If you like mindless action flicks, go see this in IMAX. It's worth it for this movie more than most.

Side note: this movie has possibly the fastest end credits I've ever seen. I think it might have been 60 or 70 seconds which is ridiculously short for such a big movie. I'm not sure why, maybe they were worried about reaching the 2 hour 20 minute mark and dissuading viewers. But I found it amusing that the credits were as fast-paced as the rest of the movie. (1 viewing, opening Thursday 4/7/2022)
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7/10
Am-Bay-lance
kosmasp30 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
So another Jake Gyllenhaal remake of a Scandinavian movie. This one a lot older than the phone only movie that was released last year. Therefor I couldn't remember much of the original, but it didn't actually matter ... because this is completely different from the original movie ... this is as out there as it can be. It has been turned into a Bay movie ... the premise more or less is the same. Even there have been tweaks (the brothers, the dynamic, why they do ... what they do ... where they go and so much more) ... so much that you can't really recognize the original movie anymore.

This turns it up to 11 to say the least ... the action part. There is even a Heat like shootout - not as good as the one Michael Mann did, but close enough (I don't do cigars, in case you were wondering). There are many action and stunt scenes then ... but also a lot more comedy it feels like ... at least the "bad" brother seems way more relatable than I remember him being in the original. Doesn't mean he is without flaws ... and craziness ... but Jake plays him with such charisma that you can't help but root for him too.

It's all fun and games then ... well until the last third of the movie. And it reminded me a bit of the switch Bad Boys 2 took ... it was such a fun movie ... and then it went ... I think ballistic is the right term to use. Anyway it got way too serious .. and same is true here. It is really a shame ... morals and cliches and all ... not sure how one was supposed to end this .. but the added elements and characters would have given some opportunities for different approaches and turns ... anyway, it is what it is ... and while I was almost going to give it an 8 (if it remained "fun" - as in the term Popcorn movie was invented just for this), but was also thinking going as low as 6 ... guess a 7 is ok, even if purists may dislike I gave it the same rating that I did the original. Be aware of what you are watching and suspend your disbelief ... or if you are not a fan of Bay do not watch this at all.
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7/10
Not bad at all....
varunmirasdar22 April 2022
Michael Bay is doing these types better than the transformers series. I liked 6 underground and I liked this. No brainer but mad action. Cast is excellent. Worth watch atleast once.
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1/10
Michael Bay-master of crapola
gareth-7544221 April 2022
The only director that can have a thousand insane things happening on screen at the same time and still the movie is boring and dull, story is stupid and plot is nonsensical and probably the worst melodramatic music ever.

Another Bay another dud.
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8/10
"I wish I didn't have herpes, but we've all got to go with what we've got."
morrison-dylan-fan6 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Taking a look at reviews for recent movie releases in the UK,I was happily surprised to find a good number of positive reviews for Michael Bay's latest flick, leading to me calling for an ambulance.

View on the film:

Spending the vast majority of the film inside a vehicle, Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Eiza Gonzalez give wicked performances, with Gyllenhaal's bug-eyed Danny being a rapid-fire talking psycho, Abdul-Mateen having Will's war vet memories put pressure on his conscience, and Gonzalez keeping Thompson cool and focused in continuing to do her job, whilst being held hostage.

Twisting the 80 minute 2005 original into a vast 135 minute canvas, allows for a the glorious spectacle of GTB: Grand Theft Bayhem.

Moving down the obstacle course at a breakneck speed, directing auteur Michael Bay & cinematographer Roberto De Angelis (making his feature film debut) drive into a white-knuckle Action atmosphere of Bayhem's signature, ultra-stylized light-flashes, slow-motion spinning circle hero shots and frenetic Dutch angles, being whisked into a frenzy with slick drone shots, rolled out by Bay over the Grand Theft Auto-style thrilling (largely) practical effects Action set-pieces, as the ambulance reaches maximum speed.
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6/10
Fun, but underwhelming
ewstoneham2 May 2022
First 45 minutes. Electrifying. Everything else is a bit drawn out and unnecessary, you begin to lose the urge to continue watching because you know how it's going to end. A lot of explosions with good actors. Missed the plot.
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4/10
A hilarious bloodbath in a Bay's nightmare world
kuarinofu22 April 2022
Warning: this film can seriously damage your brain.

The beginning of the film was ok and showed no red flags.

Then grown men started talking like saucy 15-year-olds, and I got that feeling...like I've heard this before. Checked the director - Bay.

Bingo.

Then everything made perfect sense. Thirty-minute-long actions scenes with insane camera work - check. Surreal decision-making in a world that operates in Grand Theft Auto V logic - check. Blatant mockery of politically relevant topics - check.

I can enjoy a Bay film, I love the Rock, and it's very similar. But this one is of complete insanity. It's so incredibly over the top you can't even see the top from here.

And then Bay tries to do drama, and of course, it's excruciating.

There's no reason to try to understand the story since it exists only in this nightmare world where everyone is aggressive, careless, stupid, and has no regard for their or others' lives.

Pros: some decent action scenes and excellent acting by Gyllenhaal.

Cons: it's a nightmare.

Overall, it's a solid live adaptation of a GTA V five-star car chase but with no tanks.
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8/10
Fun and exciting action movie
steve021985-437-66791130 December 2022
It's Michael Bay - you know what you're getting from him don't you? Insane stunts, plot line that stretches logic at times but it's fun as hell.

Perfect film if you're just looking to shut down for a couple of hours with a bowl of popcorn. A lot of the reviews are people telling you that it is a typical Michael Bay movie as if that's a bad thing. Don't watch them if you don't like them, if you have liked them in the past then you'll probably enjoy it.

Suspend belief, enjoy the madness and leave the snobbiness in your study or wherever it is you go to pontificate about why Wes Anderson is a cinematic genius.
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6/10
Very Entertaining
maykermedina11 May 2022
If you are looking to have a good time entertaining this is the movie. Sound good action scenes that keep you on the edge of your seat. The soundtrack is worldwide. Although the story is somewhat hackneyed, it was well handled.
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1/10
Should come with a warning, horrendous camera work.
Birminghamukengland25 March 2022
I lasted for 60 minutes.

This film was literally like being on a rollercoaster. I've never witnessed such horrendous filming. Impossible to follow due to constant and unrelenting sweeping and changing angles. I didn't know what was happening. I felt SO sick I had to leave.

There was zero story within the first 60 minutes before I left.

Vue kindly gave me a refund.

Avoid at all costs.

Who makes these films? There were two people in the theatre so this will bomb, as it deserves to.
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6/10
The most Michael Bay he's ever been
jakewaterfall7 April 2022
If you've seen Transformers, Bad Boys and 6 Underground, you've seen this film many times, only this time, there's an Ambulance.

Explosions? Check. Shootouts? Check. Fast cars? Check. Advertising deal with a brand? Check. Beautiful supporting female character? Check. Cheesy one liners? Check.

This is Michael Bay the movie and if you like that then it's for you.

Personally, I don't mind him at all and this film was perfectly fine. If you love car chases and crazy plot lines that have tones of loopholes but who cares? Then see it in the cinema because the noise, music, explosions and drone camera shots probably won't be as epic on a Home Screen.
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