Dallas Film Now.

Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa star in the action picture, now streaming on Prime Video.

Peopled largely by refugees from the Marvel and DC cinematic universes, The Wrecking Crew enables Dave Bautista, Jason Momoa, Jacob Batalan, Morena Baccarin, and Temuera Morrison to essay characters in the Hawaiian islands who are not superpowered, nor are related to anyone who is superpower. 

(Apologies to Tom Petty.)

Judging by the elaborate action and fighting sequences, however, directed by Angel Manuel Soto — with appreciative notes of great work to fight choreographer Akihiro Haga (also a superpowered-universe refugee) and director of photography Matt Flannery, who knows a thing or two about filming exciting fight sequences from his work with director Gareth Evans  (The Raid), as well as the dozens of stunt performers and visual artists — it’s safe to say that having experience in acting in superpowered movies is definitely an asset here, since so much of what takes place involves an incredible amount of visual effects wizardry. 

Veteran scribe Jonathan Tropper (creator of made-for-television series Warrior and Banshee) supplies the underlying narrative that uses the extensive action sequences as opportunities for characters to reconnect, reconcile their differences, and make plans for the future. For proof, watch when happens between estranged half-brothers James (Bautista) and Jonny (Momoa), as well as on-the-outs couple Jonny (Momoa) and Valentina (Baccarin), or how a younger man named Pika (Batalon), who formerly did jobs for the private-detective father of the half-brothers, proves himself during the half-brothers’ many fight scenes, mostly by ducking out of the way. 

Tropper’s script also leavens the action with humor, where possible, even if or perhaps because it’s what we might expect, such as the banter between Bautista and Momoa, or the screaming ire visited by the police force’s commanding officer (Stephen Root) upon Naval training officer Bautista and visiting / suspended police detective Momoa after they blow up one vehicle too many. 

When they pause from fighting each other, the half-brothers get real, talking about the root of their differences. That’s fine for what it is: momentary, and merely a chance for viewers to catch their breath before the one-liners and the outlandish action sequences resume. 

The Wrecking Crew is a non-stop barrage that, thankfully, knows what it means to do — provide noisy diversion — and doesn’t end until the closing credits roll. 

The film is now streaming on Prime Video.