Review by Jon Donnis
I had heard a bit about Interceptor, and how it was the worst film ever released on Netflix, the critics all hated it, and it had been panned everywhere.
So of course, I had to watch it, and I am glad I did. I loved the film.
The basic premise of the film is that terrorists attack a remote offshore missile interceptor platform that could stop their missiles, an officer (Elsa Pataky) defends the facility and tries to stop the end of the world.
In an age where strong, female leads either don't exist, or are pushed in a super woke way that just puts off the audience, Interceptor succeeds with a simple kick ass lead in Elsa Pataky as Captain J.J. Collins.
The United States apparently has two "Interceptor" sites, that exist for the sole purpose of shooting down any nuclear missile attacks on the US. Fort Greely in Alaska and remote platform in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Captain J.J. Collins has been assigned to the remote platform, after a high-profile case she was involved in, she reported sexual misconduct by a superior office, but she ended up suffering more due to bullying and hazing from other people in the military as revenge for her speaking out.
Not long after arriving, Fort Greely in Alaska is attacked by terrorists and the base is taken off line. Meaning that there is only one way to stop an attack, that being the Station that Collins is now on.
Before you know it the Station in the middle of the ocean is under attack, and it is up to Collins to not only defend the command area, she also has to contend with infiltrators all around her.
Alexander Kessel (Luke Bracey as) is leading the attack against the base, an ex-military intelligence soldier he is working in partnership with the terrorists and wants to destroy 16 American cities which would result in the deaths of over 300 million people, but before he can order his terrorist friends to fire the nukes, he needs to disable the Interceptor base. Throw in a live stream that is broadcasting to the world and Captain J.J. Collins has her work cut out for her.
This is a no-nonsense action thriller, and I think that is why critics hate it, there is no "woke agenda" despite the film having a female lead, as well as a female President, there is no political ideology being forced down your throat, the bad guys are a mix of traitorous Americans and Russian Terrorists, something we have seen a hundred times before. This is just a straight forward action film that does what it says it will, and that is to have a simple story, a lot of fight scenes, and the threat of nuclear disaster if the good guys don't come out on top.
I used to live for films like this in the 80s and 90s, and sadly these days such films just don't get released very often.
Despite a relatively small budget, the special effects are all believable, the fight scenes are fun, and there is also one HUGE recurring cameo in the film from a certain Chris Hemsworth, as the laid-back salesman at an electronics store. In case you didn't know, Chris Hemsworth is married to Elsa Pataky, and also acts as Executive Producer on the film. He is totally uncredited in the film, and at first, I didn't even recognise him.
Time to be totally honest though, the film is very cliche, the story is not particularly original, and is totally predictable. However, saying that, I enjoyed all of it. I didn't check my phone, or get distracted. I just watched, and enjoyed a good old fashioned action thriller, and that is what I wanted, an escape from reality for 90 odd minutes, with a likeable lead character and a dislikeable bad guy. It is filmmaking 101.
The Good
Elsa Pataky is great, such a convincing kick ass lead for an action film, she looked great, I love her accent, and I hope to see her get more leads moving forward in her career.
The Bad
As I said, the story is unoriginal, and there are a few eye rolling moments when the Captain Collins character overcomes ridiculous odds.
Overall
I don't care what the mainstream critics say, I enjoyed the hell out of this film. It was fun, it was silly, it was action packed, and it had a satisfying ending and even a mid credits scene!
I score Interceptor a genuine 8/10
Out now on Netflix.
