The Wrecking Crew Review: A Messy Action Movie That Quietly Resurrects the 80’s Buddy Cop Genre

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Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista have both been very busy with different projects lately, but The Wrecking Crew represents something new for them as they team up on screen. While The Wrecking Crew isn’t flawless, it makes up for any shortcomings with its exciting style. Bautista and Momoa work wonderfully together, and their chemistry brings to mind classic ’80s buddy cop movies.

The Wrecking Crew follows James and Jonny Hale, half-brothers who haven’t seen each other in over ten years. They’re reunited when a conspiracy surrounding their father comes to light. While it’s not a groundbreaking film, this action comedy delivers a lighthearted and enjoyable experience – perfect for a fun movie night.

Momoa & Bautista Are a Classic Onscreen Pairing in The Wrecking Crew

While many actor pairings have emerged over the years, Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista are a fresh and exciting combination. Their film, The Wrecking Crew, demonstrates not only how well they work together on screen, but also suggests they should star in more movies together. They share a natural chemistry and seem completely comfortable playing off each other.

Jason Momoa’s portrayal of Jonny is bold and impulsive, with a fondness for drinking and a deep-seated anger stemming from how his father and brother treated him and his late mother. This role feels like a natural fit for both Momoa’s personality and his acting strengths. While he’s capable of dramatic performances, as seen in The Wrecking Crew, Momoa truly shines in action comedies.

In contrast, Bautista’s character is a perfect fit for him. James is the complete opposite of Jonny – disciplined, a Navy man, and always in control. Despite this, he wrestles with both his own errors and those of his brother. He maintains a calm exterior throughout the film, but also projects an underlying sense of strength and potential danger. This complexity makes him a particularly compelling character, offering a different dynamic than Momoa’s more boisterous personality.

These two actors have incredible chemistry, it’s surprising they haven’t worked together before. Their playful energy combined with the exciting action makes the movie feel like a classic 1980s buddy cop film, and Bautista and Momoa really carry the whole thing.

The actors have amazing chemistry, and it’s captivating to watch. Even when the plot slows down, their performances are enough to keep you hooked. They truly lift the entire film and make it enjoyable, and it’s exciting to think they could become a long-term on-screen duo with many more projects to come.

What truly makes these characters compelling, beyond their chemistry, is their individual strength. They’re well-developed enough to be interesting even when they’re not interacting, feeling genuine within the story and keeping you engaged as they each work through the mystery.

While both actors are leads, the film focuses more on Jason Momoa, and audiences easily connect with his charming performance and story. He stands out more than Dave Bautista in the movie.

The Wrecking Crew Plot Is Completely Unimaginative

Despite strong performances from Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista, the movie’s story is weak. It’s predictable and doesn’t offer anything new, relying on tired tropes. The core idea – family members reuniting after a loss – feels overused, just like the classic Western plot of a solitary hero saving a town.

Although the movie’s storyline feels comfortable and recognizable, it quickly becomes predictable. Many of the plot twists are obvious from early on, making it seem unnecessary for the filmmakers to have tried to conceal them.

The movie struggles to create genuinely moving moments. Because the characters and their emotional journeys aren’t well-developed, scenes meant to be heartfelt often feel forced or unearned. The film doesn’t quite manage to strike a good balance between building emotional depth and delivering a satisfying conclusion.

Another problem with the movie is the supporting characters – they don’t really have much to do. This is especially noticeable with Morena Baccarin, a very talented actress who isn’t given a chance to shine. She mostly just explains things, happens to solve problems when they arise, and conveniently possesses the exact skills the team needs at any given time.

While Morena Baccarin is a standout, the other supporting actors don’t quite leave a lasting impression. Jacob Batalon provides some lighthearted moments, but feels more like comic relief than a fully developed character. The film primarily focuses on Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista’s action sequences, leaving little room for the supporting cast to truly shine.

Fun Action Delivers a Sense of ’80s Nostalgia

The Wrecking Crew definitely feels like a throwback to the big, action-packed movies of the 1980s. Even if you went back in time, it would still be a fun watch. Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista capture the spirit of those classic ’80s action stars, bringing a similar energy and attitude to their roles.

Films like Red Heat are fondly remembered, and though The Wrecking Crew might not be as famous, it has a similar feel. James and Jonny deliver a great mix of witty dialogue and exciting action sequences, complete with plenty of explosions. And just like classic action movies, everything is delightfully over-the-top and unrealistic.

These movies don’t bother with realism. Characters survive huge explosions without a scratch and shrug off injuries like it’s nothing. That’s the point! The over-the-top action is what makes it enjoyable and thrilling.

The Wrecking Crew is careful to create a specific atmosphere. It playfully incorporates elements of the 1980s, and the inclusion of the Yakuza feels consistent with the film’s overall retro style.

The Wrecking Crew is exactly the entertaining action movie fans will expect. It’s a fast-paced, fun film with a classic buddy-cop pairing and strong performances from Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista. Though the story isn’t groundbreaking, it’s a comfortable and enjoyable watch that feels like a throwback to 80s action movies – perfect for streaming.

The Wrecking Crew is streaming on January 28, 2026, on Prime Video.

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2026-01-26 17:10