Mayday

Synopsis: When a U.S. Navy pilot on a top-secret mission during the Cold War gets trapped behind enemy lines, his only chance at survival is to form an alliance with an eccentric ex-KGB agent.

Movie Review: 

"Mayday" is directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley. This original action comedy is also a buddy road trip flick set in the 80s during the peak of the Cold War. It's a fun action movie featuring two leads with amazing chemistry, guaranteed to make you laugh. Ryan Reynolds stars as Troy Kelly, a U.S. Navy pilot who finds himself trapped behind enemy lines. He shines in this role, showcasing his trademark wit, humorous banter, and one-liners that have defined his career. His sarcastic humor really sets his character apart from others in this genre. Kenneth Branagh plays Nikolai Ustinov, a former KGB agent who assists Troy in navigating this chaotic situation. He truly steals the spotlight as a Russian who adores America, its movies, and culture, and dreams of finding safety there. The chemistry between him and Ryan is fantastic, and their banter had me laughing throughout. Both Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley do a fantastic job capturing the essence of the 80s, with pop culture nods to Top Gun and other films from that era, while also highlighting the tense atmosphere between the U.S. and Russia, which I appreciated. The action sequences are well-executed and thrilling, though they can be a bit predictable at times. Maria Bakalova plays Anna, Nikolai's young adult daughter, who helps them escape. While she delivers a decent performance, her role is limited to just a scene. Marcin Dorociński portrays Alexander Volkov, the main villain, and he does a solid job as this evil Russian, but his character lacks clear motivation, making it hard to care about him. At the start, there are some subpar CGI effects that give off a video game vibe, which was a bit laughable. The finale and third act feel rushed, adding to the silliness. Despite these minor flaws, "Mayday" remains an enjoyable buddy road trip movie with two entertaining performances and solid action. I'm giving it a 3.5 out of 5 stars

Director: Jonathan Goldstein, John Francis Daley 

Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Kenneth Branagh, Maria Bakalova, Marcin Dorocinski, Lovell Adams- Gray, Clark Johnson, Wendy Crewson, Louis Cancelmi, Patrick Kerton and David Morse 

Runtime: 110 Minutes