Ambulance (2022) Movie Review

This movie is a remake of a 2005 Danish film called "Ambulancen," with a twist in the storyline. Both films revolve around brothers resorting to bank robbery to cover medical expenses, but in "Ambulance," the focus shifts from a dying mother to a sick wife. The narrative intensifies as career criminal Danny Sharp (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) clashes with his adopted brother, struggling veteran Will (portrayed by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II).

Bay's storytelling revolves around clear distinctions between good guys with principles and bad guys without, even if those principles defy logic. The emphasis here is not on making perfect sense but on delivering intense, thunderous emotions.

In both films, the bank heist takes a disastrous turn, leading the brothers to hijack an ambulance for their escape. The stolen ambulance serves as a combination getaway vehicle and disguise to evade the pursuing police, SWAT teams, and surveillance. However, in Bay's version, the person in the back of the ambulance isn't an ordinary patient but a wounded cop. The storyline takes an unexpected turn, incorporating elements of badge worship.

While the original "Ambulancen" runs for a concise 80 minutes, Bay's "Ambulance" takes its time, stretching the runtime to a more leisurely 136 minutes. Get ready for a thick, juicy, and gloriously stupid cinematic ride as Bay's vulgar auteurist style takes center stage in this action-packed remake.

Watching "Ambulance" isn't exactly a relaxing experience. The movie kicks off with a heavy dose of emotion, showing us medical bills and pill bottles in a warm golden light, surrounding Will's wife, Amy, who's dealing with cancer. The couple is financially strained, and to pay for Amy's surgery, Will reluctantly turns to his flashy and energetic brother, Danny.

Jake Gyllenhaal portrays Danny with the energy of someone who starts their day with Red Bull and cocaine. Instead of just lending a few hundred thousand dollars, Danny suggests a much bigger payday – a whopping $8 million. This sets the stage for a chaotic and botched robbery, reminiscent of "Heat" on steroids. The plot thickens with the introduction of Cam Thompson, played by Eiza González, an EMT who claims she can keep anyone alive for 20 minutes.

Cam becomes an unexpected third lead when she finds herself caught up in the mess – serving as the EMT in the stolen ambulance driven by Danny and Will. Cam's character is a classic action-movie archetype – incredibly skilled but cynical and hardened. The chaos ensues as the stolen ambulance speeds through Los Angeles, resembling a "Speed"-like chase.

The stakes get higher as Cam finds herself in a gruesome situation, elbow-deep in a cop's open chest cavity, performing a life-saving procedure. Blood is everywhere, and the action is intense – with Danny driving recklessly, Will serving as a makeshift blood bag, and an FBI negotiator trying to make sense of the chaos over the phone.

The scene becomes even more chaotic when Cam's laptop dies, leaving her to finish the surgery alone as the cop's spleen bursts. It's a wild ride filled with screaming, speeding, and unexpected twists that keep you on the edge of your seat. "Ambulance" turns into a frenzied spectacle, blending action, suspense, and unexpected medical drama in a way that's both exhilarating and over-the-top.

"Ambulance" is a non-stop thrill ride, a roller coaster without a moment to catch your breath. Michael Bay's energetic filming style adds to the disorienting experience. In the dialogue scenes, the camera spins dramatically around characters in low-angle shots. Once the action kicks in, the dynamic drone shots and fast-paced editing make it tricky to figure out who's chasing who and in which direction. The chaos is intensified with flaming cop cars flying in all directions, adding to the confusion, especially when they head straight towards the camera.

But hey, roller coasters are meant to be fun, and "Ambulance" is no exception. If you embrace the disorder and let your brain cells scatter like fruit in the air, the movie is a blast – even if it's a bit too long. Bay seems to be enjoying himself, injecting the film with plenty of comic relief, featuring his own dog in a quirky cameo, and throwing in references to his previous movies. Despite the $40 million budget, the film looks like it cost much more, thanks to the sheer amount of fiery destruction on screen. For Bay, it's a job well done.

Catch the chaos and fun of "Ambulance" in theaters now.