Angel Manuel Soto (Blue Beetle) directs Jonathan Tropper’s (The Adam Project) script about estranged half-brothers—reckless Oklahoma reservation cop Jonny (Jason Momoa) and disciplined former Navy SEAL turned drill instructor James Hale (Dave Bautista)—who reunite in Honolulu after their shady private eye father, Walter (Brian L. Keaulana), dies in a hit-and-run. Was it murder? As they work to unravel the mystery, they unearth a conspiracy that could tear their family apart. (122 min.)
The Wrecking Crew
What’s it rated? R
What’s it worth, Anna? Matinee
What’s it worth, Glen? Full price
Where’s it showing? Prime
Glen: We’ve seen this basic story before, from 48 Hrs. to Lethal Weapon to Beverely Hills Cop to Bad Boys to a hundred wannabes in between, but I’m happy to report this almost-straight-to-streaming (it did a two-week theatrical run in Regal Times Square) entry in the genre is a whole lot of fun thanks in part to Tropper’s snappy dialogue and Soto’s textured direction, and in large part thanks to the two leads’ charisma and likeability. They bicker like real brothers. Jonny’s a flighty loose cannon. We meet him when he’s getting dumped by his girlfriend, Valentina (Morena Baccarin), on her birthday, which he’s forgotten. She asks if he “knows what today is,” and he replies, “Wednesday?” Oops! There are laughs throughout, and the action is bone crunching and sometimes gory, but there’s a lot more nuance and emotional resonance than you might expect for a film about protagonists who Detective Sgt. Karl Rennert describes as “two guys who look like they eat steroid pancakes for breakfast.”
Anna: It’s a tried-and-true storyline, and this one is certainly dependent on its lead characters being manned by charismatic actors. Momoa and Bautista are exactly that, and this buddy comedy is actually pretty fun to watch because of it. The storyline is over the top, but as long as you’re willing to give in to the silliness of it all, you can have fun with this one. Both men have a knack for being funny, and that on top of their hulking profiles is the formula for making this action-comedy work. It’s not a particularly engaging film outside of their charisma, but fun nonetheless.
Glen: If you’re interested in Hawaiian culture, the film gets into the politics of Hawaii for Hawaiians. The central villain is French real estate developer Marcus Robichaux (Claes Bang) who has a scheme to oust an encampment of native Hawaiians living on public land to transform it into a casino and resort. Seeing as how gambling is illegal in Hawaii, it’s a heavy lift, but part of the conspiracy Jonny and James uncover reveals Robichaux’s malevolent plans. Adding to the film’s comedy is Pika (Jacob Batalon), who was Walter’s assistant that Jonny meets when he sneaks into Walter’s office after his death. Pika manages to parkour his way out of the building and down to the street, mocking Jonny with crude and colorful slurs. Between the language and the violence, this one earns its R rating. Some of its humor may offend delicate sensibilities.
Anna: The two estranged brothers come together in a shared mission to find justice for their dad; however, reluctantly they come to the realization that they’re better together than alone. Jonny feels cast aside, but the reasons for James sending him away are more layered than he suspects. The Syndicate is the constant threat, and the brothers are up against the clock to solve the mystery surrounding their dad’s death and the package that arrived at Valentina’s. It’s good at poking fun at action flicks while still delivering a good one. I don’t know that it’s a film I’d run to the theater for, but luckily this is available on streaming, and I had a good time watching it from the comfort of my couch. Hopefully Momoa and Bautista keep the buddy action flick bromance going—it works.
New Times Arts Editor Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey write Sun Screen. Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in February 5 – February 12, 2026.