In a cinematic showdown between Hollywood’s famed couple, Ben Affleck’s under-the-radar gem “Hypnotic” triumphs over Jennifer Lopez’s Mother’s Day release, “The Mother.” Affleck’s thriller delivers the expected thrills, while Lopez’s film, unfortunately, resembles a violent Hallmark card, leaning heavily on overused genre clichés that elicit unintended laughter.
Lopez embraces a Liam Neeson-like character in ‘The Mother, a skilled sniper with a complex past entangled in a witness-protection arrangement that demands she sacrifices her newborn daughter for their safety.
While the movie’s action sequences captivate viewers, the overall execution lacks cohesion, relying on familiar tropes hastily patched together. In the depths of the Alaskan wilderness, after twelve long years, Lopez’s character maintains her covert existence until her daughter Zoe (portrayed by Lucy Paez) accidentally unveils her hidden identity.
This unexpected revelation sets off a chain of events, compelling Zoe’s biological mother and an FBI agent (played by Omari Hardwick from “Power,” alongside an ensemble cast deserving better) to embark on a daring mission to recover Zoe. As the mother and daughter reunite, they embark on a journey that intertwines combat training with emotional bonding.
Under the direction of Niki Caro (“Mulan”) and with Lopez as the producer, “The Mother” provides Lopez the opportunity to deliver punchy one-liners reminiscent of the iconic film “Taken.” Recognizing that Zoe is being used as a lure, her resolute solution is unequivocal: “Eliminate them all.” Unfortunately, Joseph Fiennes and Gael Garcia Bernal fail to uplift the film as the vengeful adversaries from Lopez’s past, both adept at nurturing grudges.
Despite the anticipated moments of teenage impulsiveness, the movie perplexes with sequences like a snowmobile chase that appears to have been borrowed from a James Bond film, leaving viewers bewildered. After earning a well-deserved Oscar nomination for “Hustlers,” Jennifer Lopez has stayed busy in the industry. However, her subsequent projects, such as the forgettable romantic comedy “Marry Me” and “Shotgun Wedding,” have failed to make a lasting impact.
While Lopez should be commended for her proactive role as a producer, it seems her sniper character’s accuracy surpasses her recent role selections. Nevertheless, Netflix can rely on Lopez’s appearance alone to capture attention. With her image featuring prominently on the platform, wearing a furry hat and aiming a rifle, many subscribers will likely be tempted to give “The Mother” a shot.
Venturing into the realm of “Hypnotic,” a mesmerizing thriller crafted by director and co-writer Robert Rodriguez, Ben Affleck emerges triumphant.
The film weaves an enchanting tapestry reminiscent of a “Twilight Zone” episode, enthralling audiences with its unexpected twists. Affleck embodies the role of Detective Danny Rourke, haunted by the agonizing abduction of his young daughter. A peculiar lead takes him on a path back to the heinous crime, where he encounters a psychic (played by Alice Braga) unraveling a web of unrelated offenses orchestrated by a malevolent hypnotist (superbly portrayed by William Fichtner).
The sinister mastermind possesses the power to manipulate minds, compelling innocent individuals to carry out his wicked desires. The film evokes echoes of the supernatural thriller “Fallen,” evoking a sinister ambiance while underscoring the ever-looming sense of peril. While “Hypnotic” faces a slight strain in its final act, the majority of the movie maintains a brisk and perceptive pace, capitalizing on Rodriguez’s artful and resourceful filmmaking style, including the involvement of family members in pivotal roles during shooting and editing.
Although the film initially graces theaters, it is destined to find its way onto streaming platforms in due course, where it is expected to garner a warm reception from audiences. In the realm of Affleck’s cinematic endeavors, he also demonstrates his directorial talents in “Air,” which enjoyed a successful theatrical run before making its way to Amazon Prime. Should this weekend prove momentous for the Affleck-Lopez household, it undoubtedly favors the former half.
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