WRECKING CREW, THE
(director: Angel Manuel Soto; screenwriter: Jonathan Tropper; cinematographer: Matt Flannery; editor: Mike McCusker; music: Bobby Krylic; cast: Jason Momoa (Jonny Hale), Dave Bautista (James Hale), Roimata Fox (Leila Hale), Temuera Morrison (Gov. Peter Mahoe), Morena Baccarin (Valentina), Frankie Adams (Haunani Palakiko), Claes Bang (Marcus Robicaux), Jacob Batalon (Pika), Maia Kealoha (Lani), Stephen Root (Police Detective Rennert), Josua Tuivavalagi (Kai), Miyavi (Nakamura), David Hekili, Kenui Bell (Aleki), Mark Black (Monty), Lydia Peckham (Monica Robicaux), Branscombe Richmond (Mr. K), Brian Keaulana (Walter); Runtime: 122; MPAA Rating: R; producers: Matt Reeves, Jason Momoa, Lynn Harris, Jeff Fierson; Amazon MGM Studios; 2026)
“Everything is muscular.”
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
Angel Manuel Soto (“Blue Beetle”/”Charm City Kings”) directs and Jonathan Tropper writes this old-fashioned buddy-action-comedy about estranged half-brothers, Jonny Hale (Jason Momoa) and James Hale (Dave Bautista), dealing with a family situation that brings them together after many years apart. Everything is muscular, dumb, and strained except for the beautiful Hawaii location and the likability of the stars.
The no-nonsense family man with two cute kids, the humorless ex-Navy Commander James Hale, is dismayed when his estranged low-life private detective dad Walter (Brian Keaulana) is killed by a hit-and-run driver in Honolulu and suspects foul play. This tragedy brings his estranged younger brother Jonny, his opposite in personality—a boozer, a loose-cannon, a biker, and a part-time cop at an Oklahoma reservation—to return to his Hawaiian birthplace.
The reunited siblings investigate the shady effete British accented Frenchman real-estate developer tycoon Marcus (Claes Bang) and link him to the vehicular crime that has something to do with a crooked casino real estate deal and involves a Japanese gangster (Miyavi), as organized crime and a corrupt politician have teamed-up with the developer.
The siblings are not pleased with the way the local police Detective Rennert (Stephen Root) is handling the case and therefore rely on their own investigation. James’s sweet child psychologist wife Leila (Roimata Fox) gets kidnapped by the bad guys.
Morena Baccarin plays the bitchy Valentina, Jonny’s ex-girlfriend who unceremoniously dumps him for not paying enough attention to her. Temuera Morrison, in an inconsequential role, plays the corrupt governor of Hawaii. Jacob Batalon does a good job playing a stringer hired by Walter to get the dirt on the developer.
The action set-pieces are well-staged (in a chase scene a bad guy loses his arm, which might appeal to the bloody action-pic crowd) and the brothers dissing each other is funny if you’re into insult humor. It’s a predictable, enjoyable, and goofy B-film that shouldn’t be taken too seriously if you want to get the most out of it.
REVIEWED ON 3/24/2026 GRADE: B-
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