[Trust]

FREELANCE (2023) - DIR. PIERRE MOREL




Hi, all. I've been extraordinarily into film lately and rediscovered my passion for it a few years back. I have seen over 1,000 films and I am nearing 300 seen in theaters. As far as recent releases go, I've seen 39 films released in 2023, 92 released in 2022, and 77 released in 2021. I figured I'd start putting little "quickie" reviews on here in an attempt to be more active again and bring some life this particular subforum. This is the most recent film I've seen in theaters and, while not a huge release by any means, I've got to start somewhere, haha.

In Freelance, John Cena plays an ex special forces operative that is tasked with safely escorting an American reporter through a fictional South American country so that she can safely get an interview with the current dictator. Soon after, a coup is staged and the trio have to navigate assassins, the landscape, and each other.

I caught this film during an advance screening as part of Regal Theater's "Monday Mystery Movie". The official release date in the United States is October 27th, 2023.

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As for my thoughts on the film, it's entirely unoriginal and you've likely seen a lot of other films like it. Most of the acting feels phoned-in and the camerawork and effects are shoddy at best. The biggest sin the film commits, however, is the awkward writing and dialogue in an attempt to add some sort of humor to every other scene. Some scenes that are better left serious-toned are brought down by poorly delivered one-liners and hamfisted dialogue. It's best described as "Marvel movie humor", but not nearly executed as well.

Still, one look at this film and you could already tell it was going to be nothing special. It's a silly action movie starring John Cena, Alison Brie, and Juan Pablo Raba. For all of its faults and for not being well-made, it's decently well paced and you can still find enjoyment in it if you temper your expectations and shut your brain off for a couple of hours. The aforementioned awkward writing and dialogue does hamper quite a few scenes, but throw enough jokes out there and a few of them are still bound to land.

Overall, this is not a film that demands to be seen immediately in theaters. It would not feel entirely out of place in Netflix's catalog. If you're in the mood for a light action-comedy that you don't have to think too hard about, I would grab some friends and throw this on a streaming service in a few months time. You may not remember it much in the future, but it's inoffensive enough that you shouldn't have a poor time watching it.

★★☆☆☆
2/5 Stars