By Giovanna Salas
Edited by A. R. Stermer
When I read the movie title I felt I could relate. At some point in our professional careers some of us have been a gun for hire. In this film Ex-special forces operative Mason Pettits (John Cena) takes a job providing private security for a journalist scheduled to interview a dictator. But things kick into survival mode when that interview gets interrupted by a coup.
I had the honor of attending the premiere of “Freelance” at the prestigious NewPort Beach Film Festival.
I don’t want to spoil the movie for anyone who plans to see it but suffice it to say, I enjoyed it thoroughly. It made me jump, it made me laugh and the stunts were amazing! This movie was complete in the sense that the whole family can enjoy it and have a wonderful experience.
Director Pierre Morel had an exceptional cast and the character felt very relatable. Mason Pettits (John Cena) is a person in a job that does not fulfill him or that he is passionate about. You know, that job you don't like but you dress every day to fill the position? Time has passed since he was in the special forces. He now has a family, is a little older and has a body that has some aches and pains.. There’s not much to think about when he takes the freelance job but we soon see that his experience, focus and determination make this down to earth kind of guy the movie's loveable hero. John Cena's interpretation of the role is very convincing and by the middle of the movie I was all in.
On the other hand we have Claire Wellington (Alison Brie) a journalist who has achieved some notoriety as a “non serious' ' journalist. She is excited for this opportunity to interview this recalcitrant dictator and get herself some legitimate journalistic cred. But a coup breaks out during her meeting with the dictator and we’re off and running on a beautifully executed wild ride with more twists, shakes and turns then your favorite roller coaster as she captures it all for this exclusive “scoop of a lifetime”.
The character that makes you think about what is and what is not reality is the dictatorJuan Venegas played by Juan Pablo Raba. This character definitely added flavor to the film; he had charisma, a defined style and the swagger of a Don Juan. He was both good and bad and he helped keep me in suspense throughout the entire film.
This trio of lead actors had great chemistry, as adeptly directed by Morel, and they definitely kept me engaged.
I believe that the execution of Director Pierre Morel in making an action comedy film really shows his experience. He is a director that can make a very serious movie like Taken and then offer something fresh and entertaining like this with its own unique value.
The production values of this film are top notch, particularly in the areas of sound and cinematography. .
I have high hopes for this movie and I think that it will do very well. This movie has a great sense of harmony and the scenes felt natural and unforced.
To the John Cena fans, I have to tell you, when my young brothers and I watched John during his wrestling career, those were some of the best times of our lives. His portrayal of the lead character in this movie was entirely believable. My humble opinion of this movie is that you can share it with your loved ones and they will find something to like in it leaving them exiting the theater with a smile on their faces.
Note: Note make sure you have popcorn or a favorite snack and a large drink.
MOVIE INFO
Ex-special forces operative Mason Pettis (John Cena) is stuck in a dead-end desk job when he reluctantly takes on a freelance gig to provide private security for washed-up journalist Claire Wellington (Alison Brie) as she interviews the ruthless--but impeccably dressed--dictator, Juan Venegas (Juan Pablo Raba). When a military coup breaks out just as she's about to get the scoop of a lifetime, the unlikely trio must figure out how to survive the jungle AND each other in order to make it out alive!
Rating: R (Violence and Language)
Genre: Action, Comedy
Original Language: English
Director: Pierre Morel
Producer: Steve Richards, Renee Tab, Christopher Tuffin, Christopher Milburn
Writer: Jacob Lentz
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 27, 2023 Wide
Runtime: 1h 49m
Distributor: Relativity Media https://www.relativitymedia.com/home
Production Co: Sentient Pictures, AGC Studios, Yorkshire Film Services II, Endurance Media, Wideangle Films, Signature Films, BurningBull SPFX, Sentient Entertainment
Starring: Alice Eve, Alison Brie, John Cena
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