Fountain of Youth: A Treasure Hunt That Leaves You Wanting More!

As a movie enthusiast, when I caught a glimpse of the trailer for the “Fountain of Youth,” my emotions were in a whirlwind. On one side, I was thrilled at the prospect of a film steeped in historical intrigue, a genre that always piques my interest. Initially, it was marketed as a “heist” movie, but upon closer inspection, I’d say it’s more accurately described as a treasure hunt – an exhilarating, action-packed, A-list adventure with the goal of unearthing long-lost riches.

Chasing after myths and legends to unveil the mysteries hidden by ancient civilizations (or perhaps centuries-old conspiracies, or higher powers, or extraterrestrials) is a pastime that rarely gets the big screen treatment, so I’m always eager for such opportunities!

As a cinephile, I found myself pondering over the unusual decision of a film, apparently appealing across all demographics with a grand production scale under Guy Ritchie’s direction and featuring Natalie Portman and John Krasinski, going directly to streaming instead of hitting the big screen. Leaving the theater either still questioning this move, fist clenched in frustration towards the industry, or not… neither scenario seemed reassuring.

After witnessing it, my feelings towards the movie “Fountain of Youth” remain a blend. On one hand, it delivered the kind of action-packed adventure I was seeking, and I found myself thoroughly engaged during those moments. However, there are numerous issues, some minor and others quite substantial, that leave me feeling both entertained and annoyed. At the moment, I can’t predict which emotion will ultimately prevail as I pen this review.

Fountain Of Youth Provides Some Solid Adventure Movie Thrills

Without Taking Its Eye Off Character

Fundamentally, “Fountain of Youth” revolves around two siblings dealing with the lasting impact of their father’s extraordinary legacy. This man was an Indiana Jones-esque explorer-scholar, affectionately known as Harrison, who garnered global admiration, if not the acclaim he arguably deserved. His ventures were frequently family endeavors. Following his demise, his son Luke (Krasinski) opted to follow in his footsteps, though some might view his approach more as theft than exploration. In contrast, his daughter Charlotte (Portman) decided to step off the rollercoaster; she settled down, had a child, and manages a museum in London.

In the opening scenes, my life has been pushed to the edge: I’m on the run from Interpol due to a series of art heists, and my divorce with Charlotte took an unexpectedly sour turn, jeopardizing our son’s custody. Then, when I find myself embroiled in a new adventure – the pursuit of the legendary Fountain of Youth for Owen Carver, a dying billionaire – I reluctantly drag my sibling into it. However, our shared quest is about far more than just finding the fabled artifact. As we inch towards our goal, our bond deepens as well.

The film frequently wavers, but it is this central theme that prevents it from collapsing altogether. This recurring motif serves as the backbone, giving the climax the powerful emotional impact that it possesses.

Primarily, it’s not the action sequences that require assistance. Screenwriter James Vanderbilt has crafted an intriguing journey for the main characters, drawing inspiration from various sources – a hint of Indiana Jones, a dash of National Treasure, and unexpected elements reminiscent of The Da Vinci Code. Additionally, they are separately chased by Arian Moayed’s Inspector Jamal Abbas and Eiza González’s enigmatic figure representing the fountain’s legendary guardians. These characters often disrupt well-conceived plans, adding an exciting twist to the narrative.

Fountain Of Youth’s Flaws Are Everywhere

And They Kept Taking Me Out Of The Movie

However much I yearned for a relaxing voyage, the Fountain of Youth’s numerous issues consistently dragged me away from it. The dialogue, which frequently sounded forced, was often the main issue. Determining who was responsible for this awkwardness is challenging, but it appears that the script was overly influenced by a thesaurus, and the delivery rhythm was disconcertingly off-beat. What may have been meant to be clever intellectual banter instead felt artificial. It seems that either the director, many of the actors, or both struggled with the writing style.

Inconsistencies in style suggest Ritchie as the creator, given his penchant for visually captivating elements. At their peak, these embellishments exude an authentic sense of coolness. However, several of his decisions in this project seem devoid of a clear purpose. His application of slow-motion in Sherlock Holmes was rooted in the character’s genius, creating an immersive experience by slowing down the world to reflect the speed of his thought process. When he attempts the same technique with Luke, it feels more like a gimmick than a genuine concept. The movie Fountain of Youth is filled with such instances.

In a nutshell, it seems that John Krasinski is ill-suited for the role he plays in this movie. The idea was to blend his comedic skills with his action persona, creating an endearing adventurer. However, the film requires more charm than what Krasinski offers, especially during less action-packed moments. This type of movie thrives on the chemistry between its characters, and unfortunately, the pairings between Krasinski and Portman, as well as Krasinski and Gonzalez, fail to provide enough chemistry to keep things interesting.

Do Ritchie & Co. Really Understand The Appeal Of This Genre?

Sometimes, It’s Hard To Tell

I’ve been torn (and perhaps this is why I can’t make up my mind) on whether the movie-makers truly grasp what audiences enjoy about these films, especially since Ritchie is known for action directing and he delivers that here. However, there are moments when the action gets excessively stylized, which can be distracting. What seems to be missing in this film, though, is that certain nerdy charm or appeal that is often present in treasure hunt movies.

I particularly enjoy scenes where characters delve into historical or mythological tidbits that later prove crucial. More crucially, it seems these characters are captivated by this too. For instance, when Indiana Jones discusses the Ark of the Covenant, or Nicolas Cage’s character Ben talks about the Founding Fathers, their eyes sparkle with enthusiasm. When these new characters tackle problems, they give off an impression of showing off – knowledge seems to be their way of being trendy. Yet, there’s a certain charm in their excitement feeling decidedly uncool, especially when such characters typically aren’t.

In the closing scenes, I found what I’d been seeking all along, and yet, I find myself caught in the middle, neither fully convinced nor dismissive. However, there’s no denying that this experience has left me yearning for more – only, not from these creators again.

2025-05-22 20:41