“Kevin Costner and Ryan Reynolds’ Action Thriller: Flawed Yet Fantastic!”
It’s striking how different the career paths of Kevin Costner and Ryan Reynolds have been. Costner rose to prominence in the late ’80s and early ’90s with heartfelt performances in films like Dances With Wolves, Field of Dreams, The Untouchables, and Bull Durham. He wasn’t afraid to portray deeply heroic characters, sometimes bordering on sentimental. In contrast, Reynolds is known for his sharp wit and snark, often embodying the playful spirit of his Deadpool character both on and off the screen. The pairing of these two distinct cinematic icons in the 2016 action film Criminal was intriguing, but unfortunately, the movie has largely faded from public memory. While it may not be critically acclaimed, its raw intensity makes it a worthwhile guilty pleasure.
Criminal opens with a harrowing sequence in which CIA agent Bill Pope (Reynolds) is killed by anarchists during a mission in Europe, leaving his wife Jill (Gal Gadot) and daughter Emma (Lara Decaro) devastated. To carry on Pope’s mission, CIA supervisor Quaker Wells (Gary Oldman) recruits scientist Dr. Micah Franks (Tommy Lee Jones) to implant Bill’s memories into Jerico Stewart (Costner), a sociopath serving a life sentence. Though Criminal is a bit absurd, it makes bold tonal choices that stand out in today’s blockbuster landscape.
The film effectively distinguishes between Bill and Jerico, emphasizing their differences rather than any similarities. Bill is a dedicated spy who believes in his mission, while Jerico, a lifelong criminal, lacks any semblance of redemption. Reynolds shines in the early scenes, making Bill’s shocking death feel even more impactful. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Jerico is haunted by memories of a life he can never truly claim as his own. This reflects the exploitative nature of espionage; to the CIA, Bill is merely a vessel for information rather than a person.
Casting Costner against type, Jerico lacks the charisma that characterized many of his iconic roles. After years behind bars, he is almost devoid of humanity, becoming a brutal instrument for the CIA’s needs. Costner delivers an underrated performance as Jerico grapples with Bill’s memories, making the narrative increasingly tragic. Instead of filling in for Bill’s family, Jerico is painfully reminded of the compassion he has never experienced. The haunting memories serve as a reminder of everything he has lost.
In many ways, Criminal feels like a throwback to the B-movies of the ’70s and ’80s. While Reynolds might suggest a lighter tone, the film is largely self-serious, which is refreshing. Although the scientific premise behind Bill and Jerico’s connection is outlandish, the relentless pacing keeps viewers engaged. There’s little time spent on complex lore about the CIA and the war on terror; instead, the film delivers a near-constant stream of action, keeping the audience on edge.
The performances by Oldman and Jones include some over-the-top moments that may provoke unintended laughter, but the film does not shy away from portraying disturbing violence. It acknowledges the harsh realities of operations like Wells’s, highlighting the collateral damage that often accompanies them, with Jerico being the only one concerned about minimizing harm to civilians. The action, including gunfights and car chases, feels gritty and unrefined, lacking the sleek choreography of more polished films like John Wick or Mad Max: Fury Road. Criminal resists the urge to be overly sentimental in order to cater to commercial interests, offering a refreshing alternative in an era where many mainstream blockbusters feel heavily produced by studio executives.
