The Stream: Lackluster execution on an overused storyline

The Big Screen: Mackie kicks some serious butt in this one

The Final Bill: Mackie kicks butt and takes names but not much else to this movie

– S2S: Movie Review
Director: Mikael Håfström
Writers: Rob Yescombe (screenplay by), Rowan Athale (screenplay by) | 1 more credit »
Stars: Anthony Mackie, Damson Idris, Enzo Cilenti | See full cast & crew »
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy 
Rating: R (Strong Language and violence)
Runtime: 1 hour 49 minutes
Platform: Netflix (released January 15, 2021)

Ten-hut! Stream to Big Screen is back with another streamer from Netflix. Netflix promised 71 new productions for 2021, and they’ve started their delivery. This week I was able to watch their latest release, Outside the Wire. This movie follows shamed drone pilot, Lt. Harp (Damson Idris) after he disobeys orders on his last mission that put soldiers at risk. His punishment is to work with someone no one wants to work with by going into a deadly militarized zone with Capt. Leo (Anthony Mackie). Low and behold, Capt. Leo is an android officer tasked with a top secret mission to save the world. Let’s see how this turns out.

You can think of this as a more high-tech, sci-fi Sicario, in a way. A not-so-distant future Sicario but with a much less cool storyline. In fact, the storyline is almost the same exact storyline as every military film that comes out. Oh, you messed up but you’re the right person for this other mission to save the world? I’m looking at you G.I. Joe. Anyway, it takes much too long to get to the part that actually is cool. Anthony Mackie is a beast as Leo. He is the sole reason to watch this movie, but he only starts to really kick butt around halfway through the movie. I mean this movie really shows what Mackie can be as Captain America. PLEASE GIVE FALCON THE SUPER SERUM! But I digress. Damson Idris, as Harp, tries his best in this film and as far as soldiers go, he’s alright. The problem he ran upon is the lack of imagination by the writers of this character. In fact, they put all of the creativity into Leo and drone soldiers but forgot to jazz up Harp and his storyline. Harp isn’t boring. He’s just meh. Outside of these two, there’s just a trail of dead bodies to not worry about. And the ending is just as meh and dare I say stupid? I don’t know but you can judge that for yourself.

Ultimately, Outside the Wire suffers from what I’d like to call the “just can’t get right”. The movie had elements that worked but others that just were lackluster. Anthony Mackie delivers some brutal blows that will keep you entertained but this isn’t one you have to jump to see. A hand full of popcorn will satisfy your palate for this streamer.