MAYDAY
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Kenneth Branagh, Maria Bakalova, Marcin Dorociński, and David Morse
Directors: John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein
QUENTIN
Mayday is reminiscent of dozens of movies you’ve seen before, from John Wick to Red Notice to Behind Enemy Lines, and although it doesn’t break any new ground, it’s still a fun odd-couple action comedy. That is mostly thanks to an against-type Kenneth Branagh doing his best Liam Neeson impression (albeit with more charm and humor), and Ryan Reynolds dialing his typical schtick down to pre-Deadpool levels, when he was slightly less exhausting with the constant quips (think Just Friends and The Proposal). Given the usual direct-to-streaming genre dreck, like The Union and Freelance, Apple has a relative winner with Mayday.
NICK
For what it is, Mayday is a fun action comedy. It’s certainly better than some other straight-to-streaming releases, and it gives directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein a chance to play in their favourite genre while showcasing their best action sequences to date. It also stars a highly entertaining Kenneth Branagh, who provides the film's best moments. Then there's Ryan Reynolds. Although he's not quite at Deadpool levels of caricature, he's still a far cry from his action performances in films like Safe House. It’s a shame too because Branagh does such a good job disappearing into his role; Reynolds just can’t meet him.
