There and Back Again – Boss Level (2021)

Despite my affinity for thoughtful and original indie cinema, I also grew up largely in the Schwarzenegger, Stallone, Van Damme era so I love good old-fashioned action movies too. Groundhog Day meets Edge of Tomorrow with an emphasis on the video game nature of the whole thing = Boss Level

Roy Pulver, a former special forces badass, gets sucked into a time loop and is hunted down by eccentric mercenaries over and over. In order to break the die-rinse-repeat cycle, he has to learn how to survive each restart and get to the bottom of the puzzle in order to save the world. If that sounds like fun, that’s because it is.

Writer/Director Joe Carnahan clearly had fun making this movie and co-writers Chris and Eddie Borey didn’t hold back when it came to the kind of ridiculous they wanted to see on screen, and those are good things. The narrative is straight forward and it’s not like the dialogue was meant to be emotionally heavy and drawn out but, behind the explosions and the gunfire, it’s really the story of a soldier who wants to reconnect with his estranged wife and get to know his son. I’m glad to see character motivation wasn’t overlooked in favor of a bargain-basement revenge story. 

Gio and Frank Grillo having a little father-son bonding time on camera

Frank Grillo’s been really busy lately with 3 movies and a TV show in 2020 and 7 different projects either completed or in post-production for 2021. Besides the action-role you’d expect, this movie shows off his sense of humor and ability to play the father figure. Having already played Brock Rumlow/Crossbones opposite Captain America in the MCU, Grillo probably isn’t auditioning to be the new Wolverine but it does look like he’s been spending time with Hugh Jackman’s personal trainer. There’s always going to be room for action stars and Grillo has done a lot to establish his brand recently.

Speaking of branding, whoever does PR for Mel Gibson has managed to turn things around after his infamous DUI and subsequent anti-semitic rant back in 2006. After a few years away, he’s worked steadily ever since and only seems to be gaining momentum with 3 movies in 2020 and another 4, either completed or in post-production, for 2021. Taking on numerous villain roles seems to be his go-to right now and perhaps that allows the audience to dislike him in a productive way. I’d be hard-pressed to say Gibson makes the difference in this instance, but you definitely want to see his arrogant ass get fucked up at the end.

The inevitable showdown between Roy (Grillo) and Colonel Ventor (Gibson)

Naomi Watts gets third billing but she’s not really in the movie that much. It looks like they picked out one outfit for her, shot all her scenes together, and she took her paycheck and left. She’s always good and that’s still the case here in her limited appearance but there’s no chemistry with Frank or Rio Grillo (who plays their son Joe) and I don’t even know if she has a scene with Rio. I could see a scenario where she just wanted to get in, get out, and get paid. Can’t say I blame her. 

Michelle Yeoh and Ken Jeong have what amounts to quick cameos and, if you’re watching closely, you’ll see some fun cameos from future Football Hall-of-Famer Rob Gronkowski, along with MMA legends and former UFC Lightheavyweight Champions Rampage Jackson (who also worked with Carnahan on The A-Team) and Rashad Evans. 

Once rivals, Rampage Jackson (left) and Rashad Evans (right) join forces as the German twins

There are some fun, well-executed practical effects shots and stunt work that give the movie its action backbone. Some of the digital effects shot are noticeable but they’re used sparingly and it’s not like realism was a top priority. The fight choreography is fun and works well but the action is well-blended to incorporate more than fistfights.

Recommendation: If you’re looking for a good time and are in the market for some 90s style action with some modern updates, look no further.