A grieving woman testing her limits in the Australian wilderness is suddenly ensnared in a deadly game with a ruthless predator.
Chuck says:
Baltasar Komakur’s “Apex” is a double-edged sword where Australian tourism is concerned. On the one hand, the director captures the wild, rural areas of the country in all their glory, the danger, majesty and beauty of all the continent contain, splashed across the screen in either deep golden or lush green hues. This is countered by the notion that serial killers and other malcontents are present throughout the area, preying on any innocent tourists that might cross their path.
The film’s story has a similar dichotomy, featuring a heroine who’s hard to connect with and a shift in tone that’s a bit too jarring, all the while contained within a more than serviceable action movie that begs to be shown on the big screen. Featuring some of the finest practical stunt work seen on screen in recent memory, the film is undercut by Jeremy Robbins’ script. His effort to meld genres ultimately comes off as a misguided effort to please disparate audiences, the result a combination that proves jarring and traumatic.
Charlize Theron is Sasha, an adrenaline junkie haunted by a mountain climbing incident that went horribly wrong. We see her arrogance and petulant on full display during the movie’s introduction as her insistence to continue a dangerous climb despite her partner’s (Eric Bana) warnings leads to his death. If Sasha’s tendency to ignore good advice only affected her, she might be seen as tenacious and daring. However, her disregard for others makes her a less than likable character, a perception that persists throughout.
Trying to get her feet back under herself, Sasha heads down under to sample all Australia has to offer in the way of outdoor adventure. She happens to meet Ben (Taron Egerton), a seemingly gallant guy who helps her out at a remote gas station, and offers suggestions as to where she should camp and explore. Turns out, he’s setting a trap for her, something Sasha doesn’t realize until he “stumbles” upon her camp and reveals his ulterior motive.
Ben must have seen “The Most Dangerous Game,” a few too many times as he likes to hunt human prey, our heroine just the latest of many unsuspecting tourists he’s victimized. He’s also a tracker extraordinaire, as no matter where Sasha goes, whether it’s a miles long trip down the rapids or through various labyrinthine gorges, he still manages to be right on her tail.
His ability to dog our heroine’s footsteps so easily is one of the flaws in Robbins’s script, as is the third act climax which is just too ridiculous to accept. I mean, I understand the difference between movie injuries and real injuries are miles apart. If John Wayne taught me anything, it’s that even if I get shot, I should still be able to walk around and save the day. What we’re expect to accept where Sasha’s injuries and her capabilities in saving herself are concerned is a bit too much to swallow.
However, the biggest objection comes when the film abruptly shifts tones, going from a “River Wild” adventure into the realm of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” Once Ben reveals the true source of the unique jerky he sells and we see all that remains of those who supplied it, the movie has plunged into a kind of horror, only passionate fans of the genre will embrace. This transition proves much too jarring and suddenly, “Apex” wasn’t the movie I thought it was or wanted it to be
2 1/2 Stars
