Based on my film experience, I've learned that there are some movies that shouldn't be taken seriously—just enjoy and appreciate them simply for the viewing pleasure. This is my opinion regarding the recent action thriller, The Union (2024) directed by Julian Farino.
I see many negative reviews of this film around and after watching it, I find them to be unnecessarily harsh. I mean, come on folks, you can't get it wrong with Halle Berry and Mark Wahlberg! Well, this is the first time I'm seeing the two actors together in a film.
This fine film focuses on a construction worker who works hard during the day, enjoys his evenings with his drinking buddies and sleeps with his seventh grade teacher. He is suddenly pulled from his mundane life to a high-risk one when his former high school flame shows up at the bar. Mike (played by Mark Wahlberg) is shocked to see Roxanne (played by Halle Berry) after many years.
They share some drinks and drive around town on her power bike, reminiscing on the past when Roxanne unexpectedly jabs him on the neck and he passes out. Mike wakes up in London and learns that his life won't be the same again. Roxanne works for a secret agency known as ‘the Union’ responsible for keeping the world safe. The Union needs Mike's help (a new face and a ‘nobody’) to contain a complicated situation involving the leak of sensitive information and to ensure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands. Is Mike, a local guy, up for this espionage assignment?
Review
Give me high doses of thrilling action scenes and a bit of humour in an action flick and I'm completely sold—even if the plot bears similarities to other action movies. Recycled storylines seem to be a concern for some film critics, hence the negative reviews on this film. I think we've reached a point in the industry where rehashing old plots is inevitable and novel ideas are becoming harder to find. Yet it's surprising and kind of disheartening to see well-made films like this one getting bashed!
The plot of The Union is a familiar one—a regular person or novice invited into a secret spy group and trained to become one so as to take down the villains—but the storytelling and the great cast comprising Halle Berry, Mark Wahlberg and J. K. Simmons makes this film captivating. What's more, the action sequences and mild humour makes it a thrilling watch for the family.
One highlight of this film is the chemistry between the lead actors. Halle Berry and Mark Wahlberg are just too good together. They embody their roles so perfectly that it's hard to believe it's an act—that’s how impressive they are. I like that they give the audience a taste of the tension and connection between them but it was never fully realised. Some fans call for some make-out scenes between these two actors but meh, that would have been too predictable.
It's good to see J. K. Simmons on screen again as the head of the covert group. I think he handled his role well but the major focus is on the lead cast and their cat-and-mouse game with Mike Colter as the bad guy. The car chases are adrenaline-pumping, reminding me a little of the Fast and Furious series.
The cinematography, editing and transitions are excellent in my opinion. Nothing is out of place. The scenes where Mark Wahlberg undergoes training for his covert assignment are thrilling to watch and you'd never guess how much CGI was used. It all looks real and interesting.
Overall, The Union is a fine and captivating action flick. It might be forgettable for some action fans but not for me—thanks to the lead cast, their chemistry and the action scenes. The creators have hinted at a sequel where Berry and Wahlberg's on-screen connection might be further explored so I'm definitely looking forward to it. I'll give this film 3.8 stars out of 5.
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Thumbnail Image, Fair Use
Other images are screenshots from the movie
Posted using CineTV