RE:VIEW — “Mayday” (2026)
As far as I know, this didn’t hit theatres. Thus, it’s akin to a ‘straight-to-video’ title. Man, does it show…
Kenneth Branagh and the irrepressible Ryan Reynolds tumble their way across the western area of the Soviet Union. It’s 1987 and the Ruskies are trying to capture a downed US Navy flyer (Reynolds) who was surveilling a missile site. He’s being helped by an ex-KGB officer (Branagh) who wants to get to live in America. Hilarity ensues.
Branagh does a fine job, but I suspect he’s here for the money and to have some fun doing comedy before returning to direct and star in eight more Agatha Christie movies. Because those are so very necessary.
Reynolds is his typical self, but that’s probably why we’re watching in the first place. His style of smart-ass commentary on situations is very appealing. It is to me, anyway.
Much of the rest of the cast is terribly underused, but that’s sort of the point here: it’s a buddy film. Sure, some of the time the buddies seem to be at odds with each other’s best interests, but sometimes it’s like that.
Looking for something after a long day where your brain is fried and you just want things to go BOOM! in front of you and people get punched? This is the film for then.
It’s fun, but not much more than that.
★★☆☆☆
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