Back in 2005, a Danish movie named “Ambulancen” was released to tell the tale of two brothers caught in the middle of a desperate situation. Michael Bay, along with screenplay writer Chris Fadek, have since put their creative minds together to produce the American version, “Ambulance”. While not without gripping and exhilarating scenes, the original is a casual walk in the park compared to the off-the-rails and downright wild ride that is Universal’s latest blockbuster.

Jake Gyllenhaal is the headliner for the film, however, that is not to make light of the surrounding talent. Gyllenhaal’s rendition of Danny and his antics are quite frankly narcissistic, loud, and unstable, which are a stark contrast to his hard-up and often reserved adoptive brother, Will. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II certainly had the lion’s share of emotional investment going his way but both characters’ journeys would be half as impactful without Eiza González and her grizzled portrayal of Cam.

There are a few things that should be checked as you enter the cinema. 1. You’re strapped in. 2. You’re good with loud noises and most importantly, your sense of disbelief. “Ambulance” is unabashedly here to entertain and isn’t shy of making fun of itself along the way.

A very loose premise sets the tone that Will is in dire straights as an ex-military veteran, searching for any chance he can get to fund his wife’s experimental medical procedures. Whether through sheer desperation or Danny’s impeccable charm, it takes all of 5 mins, literally, for Will to saddle up for a bank heist.

Despite Danny’s team of hyper-aggressive macho men, the team was in a prime position to get away with a sizeable amount of cash. If it wasn’t for a slight misstep, we may not have witnessed the absolute destruction of LA. With no other way out of the mess, the two brothers make a play to escape in an Ambulance, which is unfortunate timing for Cam who is stuck in the back trying to save an innocent life.

If the on-screen action isn’t enough to keep you on the edge of your seat, the absolutely surreal cinematic sound is a treat for the ears. I felt every single bullet, explosion, and blood-curdling scream in the depth of my stomach, and the slow-motion fades would dramatically muffle the world and suck you back at a moment’s notice. The musical score was equally as important to keep the intensity high while offering moments of relief so the audience could catch their breath before the next endeavor.

Considering this movie could have been a throw-away popcorn action flick, there is a genuine effort at delivering a third act serving. The Ambulance chase itself was the bulk of the film, but the perspective shifted between the claustrophobic confines of the mobile medical unit and the on-the-go police units. There was a consistent power dynamic clash between the old school and new school approaches to handling a high-speed hostage situation. It was in these moments that the self-awareness helped break down the blatant overly exaggerated nature of the film and offered its fair share of comedic relief.

I must reiterate how exciting this film was, if only for the experience itself. The highlight of the film was easily a daring medical procedure that, through a merry-go-round of post-editing, it gave purpose to all three headlining stars. Hats off to the editing team in general, as there were more smash cuts, swooping camera angles and drone shots to combine every 10 minutes than most movies would have in total. With all of that to balance out, it was surprisingly coherent, and being able to follow the action wasn’t a difficult task, albeit there may be some viewers who should be cautious of motion sickness if you are prone to fast-moving pictures.

“Ambulance” blows your socks off and is an explosive rollercoaster ride from start to finish. While we could debate over the nitty-gritty details of it all until the sun goes down, Ambulance serves up plenty of adrenaline-fuelled fun to carry it over the finish line.

Written by: Shane Fletcher