Matchbox The Movie Review
Matchbox The Movie is glitzy, glossy and hollow, never even trying to present something original. Everything is safe and familiar and easy, which has always been Hollywood's go-to answer for trying to hit as many quadrants as possible, thus potentially making the most money.
Matchbox The Movie, set to premiere on Apple TV on October 9, is a film that struggles to separate its toy line roots from its supposed narrative. The movie begins as an advertisement for the 70-year-old Matchbox toy line, before quickly spiraling into nonsensical territory. While Apple TV boasts a strong lineup of quality shows, Matchbox The Movie is not among them.
It's a forgettable movie that wastes a Marvel-sized budget, but on the big screen, its set pieces might have looked impressive. The film follows middle school friends in a small Ohio town, also known as the Matchbox Gang, who find themselves entangled in a dangerous international conspiracy involving a missing nuke. Led by John Cena as adult Sean, the group must return home to clear their names and save the day.
Despite the presence of talented actors like Jessica Biel, Teyonah Parris, Sam Richardson, Arturo Castro, Danai Gurira, and Corey Stoll, the movie feels more like an episode of The Studio. The characters are thinly drawn, with each person representing a stereotype. The movie is glitzy, glossy, and hollow, offering no originality or innovation.
It's safe and familiar, a typical Hollywood approach to maximize revenue. While it may become a disposable streaming hit, it's doubtful that it will ever rise above its disposable status.
Written by urgent.news from IGN's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
