Pros: Chadwick Boseman, Jonathan K. Simmons, Sienna Miller; action elements; a mystery that needs to be revealed Cons: director and producers did not live up to expectations; plot holes in the script “21 Bridges” / 21 Bridges
Genre crime action
Directed by Brian Kirk
Cast: Chadwick Boseman (Andre), Sienna Miller (Frankie), Taylor Kitsch (Ray), Jonathan K. Simmons (Captain McKenna), Stefan James (Michael), Keith David (Sheriff Spencer), Christian Isiah (Andre as a child), Alexander Siddig (Adi), etc.
Companies AGBO, Huayi Brothers, MWM Studios
Year of release 2019
IMDb website
Actor Chadwick Boseman in “Black Panther” was remembered for a long time, but he has not yet appeared in other films after Marvel. A new action movie with his participation was a chance to make a good statement about himself and determine his future career. So far, Boseman’s performance has left good impressions, but the film itself has not fully lived up to the expectations placed on the intense action.
The plot of the film shows detective Andre (Chadwick Boseman) from New York. When he was a little boy, his policeman father was killed by criminals. Now he is a grown man who has become famous for his ruthless attitude towards lawbreakers who encroach on the lives of cops.
One night, Andre is called to a crime scene where two unknown assailants have shot police officers in cold blood, taking kilograms of cocaine with them. He gives the order to blockade Manhattan and every bridge that connects the island to the city. Andre has only a few hours to catch the attackers. In this he will be helped by a new partner from the drug control department (Sienna Miller), who, together with Andre, is on the trail of the fugitives.
By showing the opening scenes with the criminals, the director hints that there is some kind of setup behind the theft of drugs. Both those who escaped and those who are pursuing them will have to find out the cause of what happened.
Although 21 Bridges contains a mystery, it is presented without measured detective lines. Director Brian Kirk tries to show a spectacular action movie with chases, shootouts and hostages. That’s why it’s a little disappointing in the film that the filmmakers didn’t show the scale of the traffic collapse that could have been triggered by the order to lock down Manhattan. In essence, this did not particularly affect the island, and no one made any attempts to escape through the water. Perhaps the operators simply did not have suitable locations to develop this topic. As it turned out, part of the filming took place in Philadelphia, so there wasn’t much space to take place.
Everything is clear with the locations, but there are a few questions left regarding the script. There are a couple of plot holes in it that you notice after the session. In addition, it is not entirely clear why the creators showed the backstory of the main character, who, in theory, should turn into a ferocious killer during the task. Such rumors are circulating about him in the police, but in reality, Chadwick Boseman’s character is an extremely thoughtful, non-aggressive and positive character.
However, the shortcomings of the script cannot be called glaring blunders, so the dynamic presentation of the plot covers them up. Other famous actors also appear in the frame, diverting attention to themselves. This is Jonathan K. Simmons, who conducts dialogue with the main character, and Sienna Miller, who is actively involved in the chase.
As for Chadwick Boseman, the actor did a great job in one of the final scenes, taking advantage of the close-up of his face. Naturally, the action movie “21 Bridges” will not be a film in which the actor’s efforts will be appreciated, but in the future I would like to see him in at least one serious dramatic role. Perhaps Spike Lee’s new war drama, which stars Boseman, will be just such a project.
Well, “21 Bridges,” which you can watch now, is quite a normal film for one evening trip to the cinema. The influence of the Russo brothers is not felt in it, but the tape serves as an action movie with a small secret in the plot.
Conclusion:
the film could have turned out more entertaining and holistic. But it can pass as a simple cop action movie.
