by Jake Bourgeois, Contributing Writer
Much like the former’s pairing with Julia Roberts, George Clooney teaming up with Brad Pitt is a cheat code.
When you announce that Clooney and Pitt are teaming back up, I’m obviously interested. Then, as a synopsis, you make them a pair of rival, loner cleaners when everything (you guessed it) goes sideways? I’m in. Put Jon Watts behind the camera (and as the writer), whose last five (non-short) directing credits are the three MCU Spider-Man films, the opening two episodes of The Old Man, and Cop Car, and I’m absolutely stoked.
Perhaps unsurprisingly then, I had a really fun time with Wolfs.
It goes without saying that Clooney and Pitt just know how to fall back in rhythm together. The repartee is as entertaining as I hoped it would be. Is it quite on Ocean’s levels? No, but they’re so easily comfortable together that it doesn’t even matter. What I did find surprising is that they’re literally playing the same characters in the film — something it eventually acknowledges. While I could see that bit getting tired for some, I found the repeated dialogues and mannerisms entertaining every time.
What I wasn’t expecting was how much I enjoyed Austin Abrams as Kid — whose role I’ll leave for you to discover for yourself. In looking up Abrams’ previous credits, I’ve certainly seen him before, but I couldn’t give you a character name, and he certainly didn’t stand out the way he does here. Not only does he play off his two veteran leads in a way that’s immensely entertaining, but his monologue may be the highlight of the movie.
For his role, Watts continues to impress as a director. In his first post-MCU outing, Watts shows he hasn’t forgotten how to make a non-superhero film. It’s well shot with sequences that allow thing to breathe with a purpose. No long shots just for the sake of them. But where he stumbles a bit is the writing. Sure, it’s an entertaining romp, but for all the fun there is to be had, it could probably use a brief trim. What stands out the most is a chase scene in the middle that’s a bit too stretched.
Another highlight worth a brief mention is the score from Theodore Shapiro. I love the utilization of synth for the vast majority, with a splash of a spy thriller tone as needed.
Wolfs is simply a film which knows how to hack into my lizard brain and entertain me without breaking a ton of new ground. To close the circle, much like Clooney’s Ticket to Paradise a couple years back, it’s a general formula I’ve seen many, many times before, but one I’m always game to see again and is elevated by the easy chemistry of our two leads.
I only wish I’d gotten to see it on the big screen as initially promised.
Cowards.
Rating: Liked It
Wolfs is currently streaming on AppleTV+
You can read more from Jake Bourgeois, and follow him on Twitter and Letterboxd