Director Michael Bay, like many filmmakers, began his career directing commercials. His feature film debut arrived in 1995, marking the start of the Bad Boys trilogy. He subsequently solidified his reputation with large-scale action films such as The Rock and Armageddon. The announcement that he would be helming the Transformers franchise was met with both anticipation and apprehension. While Bay excels at crafting visually spectacular action sequences, coherent storytelling has often been a challenge. A notable exception is the reality-based film Pain & Gain (2013), which showcased his ability to deliver compelling narratives beyond large-scale destruction.
Therefore, the news that Michael Bay would direct the American remake of the 2005 Danish film Ambulancen piqued my interest. I was eager to see if Bay could present a different cinematic style compared to his trademark chaotic action sequences.
Will Sharp (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is facing a dire situation: his wife requires an expensive, experimental surgery. A recently returned veteran, Will lacks the necessary funds. Reluctantly, he seeks assistance from his criminal brother, Danny (Jake Gyllenhaal). Danny enlists Will in a bank robbery, but the plan unravels, forcing them to flee in an ambulance. Their hostages include a wounded police officer and emergency nurse Cam (Eiza González). A high-speed chase ensues across Los Angeles, with threats emerging from multiple directions. However, the most significant danger stems from Danny, who is increasingly losing control.
Ambulance opens promisingly, efficiently establishing Will’s motivations and the circumstances leading to his choices. Unfortunately, the film quickly deviates from its initial trajectory. The script lacks depth, and the plot contains significant gaps, surpassing even the narrative inconsistencies in Armageddon. Gyllenhaal and Abdul-Mateen II demonstrate good chemistry, but it is difficult to empathize with their characters. Bay’s attempt at unconventional casting proves more distracting than engaging.
The introduction of Eiza González further complicates the viewer’s investment in the characters. Her role fails to establish a strong connection with the audience, making it challenging to follow her journey throughout this overly lengthy film. The original Danish thriller maintains a tight runtime of approximately 90 minutes, while the remake extends to well over two hours. A subplot involving a criminal gang exploiting the chaos to target the L.A. police feels extraneous. In another scene, the ambulance is hastily repainted green in an attempt to disguise its identity, yet the logos and vehicle number remain clearly visible. This sequence is so illogical that the film’s screenwriter reportedly expressed “happiness” that Bay enhanced his story with such a “smart” addition. This behind-the-scenes anecdote arguably provides the best performance on the disc.
The action sequences are competently executed, relying on practical effects rather than excessive digital augmentation. This is a strong point that compensates for many of the film’s other weaknesses.
The 4K edition presents the visuals in 2160p. As Ambulance was filmed digitally, the image quality remains consistent from recording to disc presentation. Color reproduction and black levels contribute to a near three-dimensional effect, enhancing detail. This is particularly noticeable in dynamic scenes with rapid camera movements.
The Dolby Atmos sound design is consistently impressive. The film features numerous explosions, crashes, and gunfire, all reproduced with precision. Simultaneously, subtle whispers and breaths are clearly audible in quieter scenes. The mixing is expertly balanced, fully utilizing the surround speakers to create an immersive experience. The audio quality is of reference quality.
The disc includes a substantial amount of supplemental material, providing insights into the film’s production. Notably, the filmmakers prioritized practical effects over computer-generated imagery. While some self-congratulatory elements are present, the extras are generally informative and enjoyable.
In conclusion, Ambulance is far from perfect, exhibiting questionable choices and narrative inconsistencies. The film’s extended runtime of two hours and 16 minutes also detracts from the overall experience. However, the UHD edition is technically excellent, enhancing the impact of the action sequences. Therefore, I recommend Ambulance on Ultra HD, as it significantly elevates the viewing experience!
SF Studios provided review copies for this evaluation. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial independence; our reviews are conducted impartially with readers and consumers as our priority.
