APEX
Starring: Charlize Theron, Taron Egerton, and Eric Bana
Director: Baltasar Kormákur
PAIGE
Netflix’s Apex doesn’t quite rise to the top of its genre as it’s fairly forgettable. But, this fast-paced game of cat-and-mouse at least manages to deliver some gripping moments throughout its 90-minute runtime. While the plot is completely predictable and doesn’t really offer anything beyond the bare minimum, it’s held together by two committed performances. Apex allows Charlize Theron to play a fearless badass like it’s her day job and gives Taron Egerton the chance to show off a new side of himself, playing an unhinged murderous Aussie. All in all, the overall film is mediocre at best.
ROBERT
About 15 minutes into Apex, I thought there were flashes of an interesting movie about a woman dealing with grief in the beauty of natural isolation. Then, the premise hit, and it became a somewhat mundane thriller that I think both Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton are too good for as dramatic actors. The director of Contraband and 2 Guns (Baltasar Kormákur) knows how to build some frenetic pacing and action, but not a cohesive movie. My nervousness was ratcheted up high at points, but with so much riding on the push and pull of the two leads, it wasn’t as taut as needed.
