My quick rating – 5.8/10. When a group of former childhood friends reconnects for a friend’s passing, their reunion takes a rather unexpected detour into international espionage, nuclear weapons, and saving the world. Catching up over a few drinks just isn’t exciting enough for Matchbox the Movie.
We start with an engine cranking and a camera swooping through the streets of Cartersville, Ohio, in 1998, following a kid riding his bike while Runnin’ Down a Dream by Tom Petty provides the soundtrack. Young Sean has a very special Matchbox car, a 1969 Super Camaro, which he can’t wait to give to his sweetheart, Aimee. Unfortunately, he loses his nerve, chickens out and misses his opportunity. Things get even worse when he returns home to discover the family is moving to Chicago. Ah, young love. And the beginning of what will apparently become a rather expensive midlife crisis.
Fast forward 28 years and present-day Sean (John Cena) is racing through the Sahara Desert, running away from some very unpleasant people while carrying a nuclear warhead. Meanwhile, present-day Aimee (Jessica Biel) is tearing around a Formula One test track. We also get brief introductions to the other childhood friends, including a helicopter pilot, a physics teacher and a heavy machinery operator. All seemingly ordinary occupations, unless, of course, you’re planning to save the world.
Following the funeral, everyone ends up at the bar to catch up and celebrate old times. Things take a rather unfortunate turn when their round of shots comes with something considerably stronger than tequila. The next thing they know, they’re waking up on a plane, and their reunion has turned into an international adventure they definitely didn’t RSVP for.
Sam Richardson as Crosby is particularly funny, and the whole cast works surprisingly well together. The chemistry helps enormously because, let’s face it, the plot isn’t exactly breaking new ground. The double crosses, ridiculous coincidences and inevitable revelations are all familiar territory. But director Sam Hargrave and the writers manage to give the formula enough variation to keep things entertaining.
Those brief introductions to everyone’s day jobs? Yes, naturally, every single one becomes conveniently useful later. Who could possibly have seen that coming? The film doesn’t even pretend to be subtle about it, and honestly, that’s part of the fun.
There’s plenty of globe-trotting scenery, including some time in Casablanca, some entertaining gags, decent humor and impressive vehicle chases that thankfully don’t look entirely computer-generated. I couldn’t find a production budget, but I doubt Apple TV was rummaging around the couch cushions to finance this one.
It’s also a pretty clever way to incorporate Mattel’s Matchbox brand into a movie without making the entire thing a glorified commercial for toy cars.
After an exciting finale and the inevitable aftermath, we’re treated to Runnin’ Down a Dream by First to Eleven, bringing the old and new together, much like those Matchbox cars.
Matchbox the Movie is silly, predictable, over-the-top, and admittedly entertaining. It knows exactly what it is and never wastes time pretending otherwise. So shut down your brain, grab some popcorn and enjoy the ride. Just don’t expect to leave with a newfound appreciation for international security procedures.
