THE BLUFF
Starring: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Karl Urban, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Safia Oakley-Green, Temuera Morrison, Vedanten Naidoo, and David Field
Director: Frank E. Flowers
AMARÚ
Since her days on Quantico, I’ve known that Priyanka Chopra Jonas could handle herself in an action sequence. I’m glad that between Heads of State and now The Bluff, she’s been able to show off that skill, because without her or Karl Urban, this film would be a not-so-remarkable pirate flick. Not that it’s bad, but there’s nothing particularly unique to separate it from any other run-of-the-mill romp with a protagonist whose old life comes back to haunt them. I won’t remember much of The Bluff after watching it, but I had a good enough time while I was.
ROBERT
Beyond Pirates of the Caribbean, I think pirate films all feel like History Channel TV movies, and The Bluff is no exception. Clearly, the Amazon model for action movies, especially those that are female-led, is to make them like Die Hard and John Wick (see: G20). They slot Priyanka Chopra Jonas into that archetype, and she handles it as well as the material allows. I do think Karl Urban and Temuera Morrison are wasted here, though they fall back on their natural screen presence. I was enthused by the action, which was fluid, but everything else, particularly the effects, was dead on arrival.
KATIE
The Bluff is a pirate-action B-movie elevated by a big budget and an attractive cast. It makes up for what it lacks in character development with thrilling, bloody violence and fun, creative set pieces that feel gritty and impactful. Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Karl Urban work well with what relatively little they’re given, but the story would have benefited from more exploration of their relationship. As is, we’re given nothing more than some throwaway dialogue to explain their shared past and subsequent obsession with each other, leaving their dynamic undercooked.
