Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Ambulance review says Michael Bay has created a human-driven action thriller with a buoyant Jake Gyllenhaal at the wheel. Wheeeeee!

Ambulance is a timely reminder that director/producer Michael Bay doesn’t need towering robots to bring us a heart pumping action thriller with human emotion at its core.

Make no mistakes about it, this non-stop heist/chase movie is Michael Bay at his Michael Bayest. At the movie’s heart is Jake Gyllenhaal, playing a manic but engaging bank robber, who tricks his down-on-his- luck veteran half brother (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) into joining him on his crew for their latest bank heist.

When things go awry, as they always do, the brothers find themselves hijacking an ambulance to use as a getaway car, with a feisty paramedic played by Eiza Gonzalez, and an injured rookie cop (Jackson White). Law enforcement officials (there are many) know exactly where they are on the streets of Los Angeles at all times, because a rogue ambulance is not very discreet, but the various ways this motley crew make this escape attempt thrilling are surprising, compelling, and sometimes just plain fun.

This is something we love about Michael Bay. While the tension is fierce and dramatic, he always adds adds in a few comedic release valves that show he doesn’t take his movies too seriously. In Ambulance, we see bits about a flatulent mastiff, a truckload of pink flamingo lawn ornaments, and Christopher Cross’s Sailing sung carpool karaoke style—light hearted red herrings that remind you that action movies can be fun and dramatic.

All in all, while Ambulance is by no means award worthy, it is highly entertaining, and a decent reason for the masses to go back to the cineplex, buy some popcorn and a drink, and just have a good old time like we used to. Yes, it’s over two hours in duration, and yes, even Michael Bay can’t keep the energy up for that long. But at least he’s trying to show us a good time. We kinda need that right now.

Rated R

2 Hours 16 Minutes

If this Ambulance review makes you want to race out to the cineplex, get times and tickets at Fandango.com.

Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Ambulance review says Michael Bay has created a human-driven action thriller with a buoyant Jake Gyllenhaal at the wheel. Wheeeeee!