The new action comedy by Pierre Morel (“96 Hours”) gets off to a furious start. In an impressive POV sequence we are rushed through the life of the main character Mason Pettits. In the end we learn that his last mission for the US Army ended in disaster. He survived, seriously injured, and many of his comrades died. He now earns his living as a lawyer... and he hates it. He doesn't seem cut out for family life either. His marriage is little more than a shame.
Suddenly his former comrade Sebastian is standing in front of him. He now runs a private security service that operates worldwide. He offers Mason a job. The journalist Claire Wellington is planning an interview with the autocrat of the fantasy state of Paldonia and Mason is supposed to act as her bodyguard in the banana republic. All of these sounds too tempting for Mason - with one exception: the autocrat Juan Venegas is the man whom Mason blames for the failure of his last army mission.
Director: Pierre Morel
Writer: Jacob Lentz
Stars: Alice Eve, Alison Brie, John Cena
Nevertheless, he says yes. In Paldonia everything gets out of hand very quickly. Venegas' nephew overthrows him from office. The country is threatening to sink into chaos and Mason has to do everything he can to ensure that he and his ward get out of the country safely.
After “96 Hours,” Pierre Morel was seen by many as the new hope of action cinema. But after the blast, in the opinion of just as many people, things went downhill rapidly. In my opinion, the Frenchman only has one real stinker in his portfolio with “The Gunman”; I was largely able to come to terms with all of the other films. And that’s exactly what applies to “Freelance”.
It certainly doesn't reinvent the action comedy genre, but it uses its clichés solidly and always knows how to entertain. Above all, the furious introduction of Mason and the brisk start in “Freelance” are absolutely convincing. The introduction of Alison Bries (“Promising Young Woman”) Claire also works brilliantly and the basic screwball comedy feel is quickly established. Here a bitchy, successful journalist meets the tough, very grounded fighting machine.
Then the first action starts. Carts explode on a bridge, people explode onto windshields, and real blood packs spill their contents! Morel will continue to rely predominantly on handmade effects and only rarely on CGIs. But the latter are all the more creepy - the rear projections around our riding heroes in particular are incredibly creepy.
The action comedy will not convert those who have not been convinced by Pierre Morel's work for a long time. Everyone else gets casual, light and likeable entertainment with “Freelance”, which has a few deliciously humorous moments, especially thanks to the great Juan Pablo Raba. The pairing of John Cena and Alison Brie also works and provides entertainment. Unfortunately, the very superficial film lacks impressive villains and real action highlights. “Freelance” also has at least 15 minutes too much on the clock, which is reflected in undeniable idleness here and there.
Watch Freelance 2023 Movie Trailer
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