by Samuel Nichols, Contributing Writer
Sometimes you turn on Netflix, find yourself face to face with some big stars, and think to yourself, “Wow! It’s Marky Mark! This looks like a good two hours.” That’s how Netflix gets you. They are incredible at pulling in talent, both behind and in front of the camera. But sometimes the movie is no more than just surface deep. The Union is a prime example of this.
Mike (Mark Wahlberg) is just an everyday construction worker on the east coast. He goes to the same bar every night, works the same job every day, and spends time with the same friends. It’s a simple life, but he’s content with it. Yet when his high school ex, Roxanne (Halle Berry), shows up, his world is turned upside down. She brings him on a mission from her agency, the Union, to protect the secret agents of the world from being discovered. With help from her boss, Tom (J.K. Simmons), the unlikely agent and the super agent work together to protect their fellow espionage agents.
This movie is surface level, so let’s talk about what’s happening right in front of us. Berry and Wahlberg have the charisma and charm that you would expect from movie stars. They are cute and silly when it would best help. Action chops are aplenty between the two — they are more than willing to throw hands for a shot and take a punch. Our stars have their comedic timing and sensibilities on display, too. Honestly, Wahlberg and Berry seem at ease with each other, and that’s what keeps the movie going. You can reasonably believe they were high school sweethearts rekindling something they once had. Their relationship feels effortless, but maybe not in a good way. It’s obvious the pair can work together easily, but with that, it feels like they have not tried too hard to connect.
Honestly, that’s where this movie stops being intriguing for me. I could not accurately tell you anything more about the plot or story or the details of what is going on between the other characters. Omni-Ma… I mean J. Jonah Jame… I mean Simmons is here and doing something to lead everyone, but he might as well be reading his lines off a teleprompter. Mike Colter is another one of Roxanne’s flames, specifically her ex-husband, Nick. He’s trying to get back to her and win her over, but she’s skeptical of him. We learn nothing more about why they split, nor do we get an opportunity to see their chemistry or lack thereof. This movie has nothing to add or imply between the lines with these characters who are supposed to hold our attention when Wahlberg and Berry aren’t on screen. Simmons is an incredible actor, and Colter seems at least decent enough to me, so why are we wasting them on parts that amount to nothing more than a ketchup sandwich?
Please watch anything else that these stars are in. John Wick: Parabellum is on Peacock. The first X-Men movie is on Disney Plus. The Other Guys is on Peacock. Monster’s Ball is free on the Roku Channel. Invincible Seasons One and Two are on Amazon Prime. These performers have all been better in better flicks or shows. Shoot, Transformers: Age of Extinction is on Paramount Plus. Forgot about that one. It’s not better, but it’s more fun.
It really is that crappy writing and story that keeps you from becoming interested as a viewer. The stakes are supposed to be through the roof, if Roxanne and the Union are desperate enough to get a nobody like Mike to help. But we don’t ever get a look at what’s at stake. Sure, there are gun fights and car chases here and there, but we don’t know why these folks are fighting. I don’t know how you screw up making a terrorist cell or group of capitalist mercenaries seem evil, or at least morally bankrupt, but you did it, Netflix. At least that aforementioned action is entertaining enough. The punches and kicks aren’t of par to other works our stars have been in, but it’ll butter your popcorn. In particular, I did enjoy those car chases.
Rating: It Was Just Okay
The Union is currently streaming on Netflix
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