REVIEW: “Outside the Wire” Maybe Should of Stayed Inside the Wire

Today, January 15, Netflix releases its new futuristic, action-adventure movie, Outside the Wire. Starring Anthony Mackie and Damson Idris, drone pilot Lt. Thomas Harp (Idris) is sent “outside the wire” to assist android military office, Leo (Mackie), after disobeying orders from his commanding officer. It is there where Leo shares that it is up to the two soldiers to work together to stop a doomsday device set to go off in a few short days. As stressful as the situation seems, their differences may prevent them from making it in time to stop the device.

Outside the Wire has everything it needs on paper to be a really fun action movie, but, as you watch it, you realize the story and the characters are just so-so. Nothing about the characters leave you rooting for them, while the story is filled with a little too much action and not enough development. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good action scene, but it felt like they tried to use the actions scenes to cover up the lack of progression in the story. The other problem is if you don’t give your full focus to the movie, the second you turn away, you will be lost. You will have no idea what is going and will have to rewind so you understand what is happening. So to be blunt, make sure to be paying attention!

Mackie is really quite good as AI Leo. His presence is commanding and he as the gruff to pull off a commanding office, but even his performance can’t save this movie. Given the right material, Mackie could have really shined in this film. Idris does what he can with his character, Harp. His character has the most material and growth in the movie, but his progression in the movie actually made me dislike him more rather that like him. It would have been interesting to see if they spent more time on developing his character, if my opinion would change.

Netflix is set to release a slew of new movies in 2021, so I wouldn’t jump at the bit to check this one out. If you have nothing else to watch, maybe give it a go. But if not, wait until they start releasing some of their other movies.

Grade: C-

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