Film Review: AMBULANCE (2022): Michael Bay is Back with an Intense, Action-Packed Extravaganza

Ambulance Review

Ambulance (2022) Film Review, a movie directed by Michael Bay, written by Chris Fedak and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Eiza Gonzalez, Garret Dillahunt, Keir O’Donnell, Jackson White, Olivia Stambouliah, Moses Ingram, Colin Woodell, Cedric Sanders, A Martinez, Jesse Garcia, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Wale, Devan Chandler Long, Victor Gojcaj and Briella Guiza.

Michael Bay is back in business with the new film, Ambulance, which will blow you through the back of the theater. This movie must be seen on the big screen (like many of Bay’s previous films) to get the full effect of the very intense action sequences that the film showcases. Jake Gyllenhaal stars in the movie and although it’s not his best performance, it is a part that the actor handles extremely well. Gyllenhaal’s role as Danny Sharp leaves the audience wondering whether or not they should be rooting for him or not throughout the movie. Eventually, the picture, which is set in L.A., makes it very clear that we shouldn’t be in Gyllenhaal’s corner but by that point, so many other things about the movie have drawn you in which makes it impossible to look away from the screen even for a second.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II also stars in this new picture as Will Sharp, Danny’s “brother,” and the actor has built up an impressive body of work in a short period of time. He is most noted for his role in the latest Candyman film and is excellent here. Will is a family man who has served his country and is currently looking for work. His wife Amy is well portrayed by Moses Ingram. They need money for a medical procedure and time is ticking fast. When Will ultimately gets involved with a bank heist that is being conducted by Danny, all hell breaks loose in true Michael Bay action film fashion. Jackson White plays Officer Zach who stops by the local bank to ask a teller out while the bank is being held up unbeknownst to him. When Officer Zach ends up injured in the back of an ambulance during the robbery escape, Danny and Will take over the ambulance which has emergency worker Cam Thompson (the fantastic Eiza Gonzalez) in the back trying to help the officer.

Cam is one of the best characters in the movie thanks to Gonzalez’s performance. At the beginning of the film, we see her helping a young girl who is injured in a car accident, Lindsey (Briella Guiza), only to move forward without holding on to any emotions. She is a professional who does her job and moves on to the next one with ease. She finds herself in the back of the ambulance which is hijacked by Danny and Will and, during the course of the movie, Cam goes through several different stages which help develop her character throughout the picture. Gonzalez is simply mesmerizing in her pivotal, well written role.

Meanwhile, A Martinez, in a solid turn, serves as Papi who is an aging criminal that could help Danny and Will make a clean escape from being arrested for the robbery. As the two brothers have commandeered the ambulance, there is very little chance they will be able to get out of the mess they have found themselves in without serious help. Keir O’Donnell is the FBI Agent, Anson Clark who knows Danny from the past and is the only one that could seemingly help the loose cannon brother turn himself in before anyone else gets hurt.

There is a reason that the pursuing cops can’t act on shooting down the ambulance. Both Officer Zach and emergency worker, Cam, are in the vehicle so the audience is treated to nonstop, fast-paced action scenes that mark some of the best sequences Bay has directed. Bay creates intensity that reminds one of the best of director Tony Scott’s work as well as signature Bay action pictures. Particularly effective is a shootout scene towards the end which has Will trying to save the lives of Cam and Zach.

Gyllenhaal is astonishingly believable as the charismatic, but crooked, brother who convinces Will to come on board the robbery for one last score. The movie keeps the chase scenes pumping at an incredible pace that captivates the viewer throughout. What was most surprising about the picture is how it adds emotions to the story line with audiences bound to become invested in the fates of the innocent characters (Cam and Zach) as well as Will who became involved in the robbery to help his wife and child but must now test his loyalty to the brother who he thought he would never have to rely on for financial help.

Ambulance is a first-rate thriller that has a couple of minor issues. You don’t go to a Bay movie for authenticity but one scene where a surgery is performed in the back of the ambulance, while exciting, seems far-fetched and the ending throws in everything but the kitchen sink to tie up all the loose ends but when the action is so wild and intense, it becomes easy to overlook the movie’s pretty minimal flaws.

Jake Gyllenhaal has added another finely tuned performance to his very distinguished resume and though he definitely becomes the bad guy of Ambulance, you can’t help but follow his character wondering how hard he’ll fall for what he has done. Michael Bay is in fine form and each action scene here tops the previous one. Ambulance is a thrill ride that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats for the duration of the entire movie.

Rating: 8/10

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