Wolfs review: Slick action-comedy hinges on effortless charisma of Pitt and Clooney

Wolfs review: Slick action-comedy hinges on effortless charisma of Pitt and Clooney
3.0 out of 5 star rating

As a movie critic with over three decades of film viewing under my belt, I must say that “Wolfs” is a film that tries hard to entertain but falls short of greatness. George Clooney and Brad Pitt, two A-list stars who have graced our screens for what feels like an eternity, reunite in this action-comedy. While their on-screen chemistry is undeniable, the plot is muddled and paper-thin, akin to a cheap hotel room service menu.

George Clooney’s character in the film “Wolves” claims that no one can perform his tasks. However, this statement proves false when he’s summoned to a $10,000-per-night penthouse in New York. Inside, Amy Ryan’s character, Margaret (a District Attorney), is distraught over a mess she’s made. A young boy lies dead on the bedroom floor, having fallen and collided with a drinks cart. Despite her insistence that he wasn’t a prostitute, it’s clear that someone needs to handle this delicate situation, particularly for a high-profile individual known for being stern on crime matters.

Next, another character, Brad Pitt playing a ‘cleaner’ hired by the hotel owner Pamela, enters the scene. Pamela wants to preserve her brand new luxury hotel from any potential scandal. As lone operatives, they are compelled to collaborate in order to complete their mission. In the credits, they are referred to as ‘Pam’s man’ and ‘Margaret’s man’, respectively, rather than by their names. Both of them have distinct methods and are unwilling to yield to each other.

Accompanied by Sade’s “Smooth Operator” in the background, these two quickly understand that this job is not as simple as it seems, particularly when they stumble upon a backpack filled with illegal substances in their hotel room. Could this be the work of heartless Albanian drug traffickers? Matters escalate further when the corpse they’re burying in Clooney’s car isn’t quite deceased. Known as “The Kid” in the credits, the character portrayed by Austin Abrams from Euphoria, was supposed to deliver the drugs, which could potentially be the missing piece that solves the puzzle.

Making its debut at the Venice Film Festival outside the main competition, the film titled “Wolfs” is written and directed by Jon Watts, recognized for his work on the recent Spider-Man trilogy featuring Tom Holland. A large portion of the movie’s appeal lies in the undeniable charm of Brad Pitt and George Clooney, who last shared screen time in the Coen Brothers’ 2008 film “Burn After Reading.” Given its humorous tone and crime-oriented setting, it’s sure to resonate with those who appreciated the camaraderie between these big-name stars in the Ocean’s trilogy of films. Essentially, you could refer to it as “Ocean’s Two” for simplicity’s sake.

In this dialogue-centric movie, approximately halfway through, there’s a thrilling pursuit involving both running and car chases. Clooney and Pitt give chase to the frightened Kid as he navigates snowy New York streets, including a shopping mall, clad only in his underwear and white socks. This sequence is undoubtedly the most exciting in the film until the third act becomes heavily focused on gunfire. However, it doesn’t quite reach the level of excitement found in Edgar Wright’s Baby Driver, which seems to have served as an inspiration for this chase scene.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase it as follows: One enchanting night unfolds, leading to the climax of the film, and that’s when the seasoned Croatian actor Zlatko Burić from Triangle of Sadness makes his entrance, portraying an extravagant drug lord character. His daughter’s lavish wedding at a garish club serves as the backdrop for this scene. A witty touch is added throughout, particularly when Brad Pitt and George Clooney, now needing reading glasses, are compelled to scrutinize a flashing address on a pager. Age has caught up with even these two heartthrobs, and they no longer embody the young, dashing gunmen of the Ocean’s trilogy era. The film concludes with a nod to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, but despite its enjoyable moments, Wolfs may leave you pondering rather than howling at the moon, as its plot is somewhat confusing and its characters are rather one-dimensional.

Wolfs is released on Apple TV+ on Friday 27th September 2024.

2024-09-02 00:35

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