Judy Thorburn's Movie Reviews
The Lost City - Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum - Review
- Details
- Category: Judy Thorburn
- Published on 09 September 2022
- Written by Stephen Thorburn
Judy Thorburn
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The Lost City
Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum team up in The Lost City, a rom com action adventure from sibling directors Adam and Aaron Nee that is a throwback to the 90's blockbusters Romancing the Stone and Raiders of the Lost Ark, but works on its own merits, including star power.
Bullock plays Loretta Sage, an award winning romance novelist that's become a recluse afraid to go out into the world after the death of her beloved archeologist husband. Tatum is Alan Caprison, the hunky, somewhat clueless, cover model/public face of long blonde haired hero, Dash McMahon, from her series of books and he's become a sex symbol for legions of female fans that are shown swooning over him at a Q & A session as an irritated Loretta sits by his side.
During one of the stops on the tour her publicist Beth (Da'Vine Joy Randolph, who gets her own sideline subplot with a smitten cargo pilot played by Oscar Nunez) forces her to go on to promote her latest book, “The Lost City of D”, Loretta is suddenly thrown into a car and abducted by two goons working for Abigail (yes, that's his unlikely first name) Fairfax (a bearded Daniel Radcliffe, doing his best in villainous mode). He's an obsessed, treasure seeking billionaire with family issues who is convinced Loretta holds the key to finding the legendary, lost “Crown of Fire”, located in a tomb on a remote island off the coast of South America.
Not as dimmed witted as he first appears, Alan jumps at the chance to prove there is more to him than meets the eye and can be a hero in real life by going on a mission to rescue her, but not before enlisting the aide of Jack Trainer, a handsome, equally buffed former Navy Seal (Brad Pitt, fabulous and having a ball in an extended cameo role).
Soon, Loretta and Alan find themselves stuck in the middle of the jungle and must contend with some blood sucking leeches and other dangerous elements of their environment, while Fairfax's henchmen are on their trail. It's a predicament that causes the two to get to know each other better, if you catch my drift.
I was unsure about the pairing of Bullock and Tatum, yet I was pleasantly surprised to see what amazing chemistry they have, especially during one scene revolving around a hot and sexy dance number that has the two getting up close and personal. Bullock, a seasoned pro who has sunk her acting chops into both dramatic as well as comedic roles, once again gets to show off her excellent comedic timing and physical skills in the genre she is most known for. Although the actress is in her late 50's and more than 15 years older than Tatum, you wouldn't know it, since she still looks fantastic and youthful. Tatum is also a delight to watch as he goes head to head with Bullock.
Sure, The Lost City is predictable, contrived, formulaic and implausible. No need to reveal where its headed. We've been down this road before. Yet, you can put all that aside and just go along with this fun filled journey featuring charismatic leads, plenty of laugh out loud one liners, back and forth banter, and fast paced action sequences. It's enjoyable escapist entertainment that even sends a message about not judging a book by its cover. What's not to like?
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