6 Underground

I've got a busy weekend so this review will likely be short, but the ease of being able to watch this on Netflix made it an easy accommodation as we near the end of the year. 

6 Underground is truly the most conflicted I've been about a film in a long time. It comes from director Michael Bay who - in my honest opinion - is not as bad as everyone says he is, but can still turn out one hell of a turd. 

When he has some guidance and clear direction though, I tend to like what he does. 

6 Underground exists somewhere in between that spectrum, almost frustratingly so, that I hate to admit that I liked it...a lot...but I can't give it an equivalent score because some of Bay's worst tendencies are in full force here. 

Everything about 6 Underground is...shall we say...scummy? It's hyper-violent with no regard for human life (but yet attempts to think it has a moral code), it's got more bikini/up-skirt shots than all the Transfomers franchise combined, and more awkward-alternative-rock-segues than you could count. The sex scenes aren't making love, they're (bluntly) f**king, and human bodies are treated like ragdolls time after time again. 

But for some damn reason, I was having a great time. 

I largely attest that to Ryan Reynolds, playing basically a combo between Tony Stark and Deadpool (rich, wise ass, still Ryan Reynolds), a supporting cast of characters that are goofy, but memorable, and some setpieces that excite. But dear God do I also wish that Bay would learn how to edit his g****m movies!

The story isn't nearly as dumb as I expected and, in better writing hands, could have been more special. The premise of 6 "dead" people working to create "positive" world change is interesting and with the scope being smaller (e.g. overthrowing a dictator vs. saving the entire planet) I found it an easier pill to swallow. Characters have backstories that are rushed through, but not entirely awful, and there's some attempts at connecting these "numbered" individuals into a family. It lands better than I expected or than it has any right to, but it's also not exactly great either. The general proceedings are elevated by Reynolds being able to fire off rather funny quips with ease while the remainder of the cast looks attractive and gets small jokes here and there to fill the time. The script is basically the equivalent of a bunch of cursing, military mumbo jumbo, and shouting but that's what you'd expect in a film like this. 

Michael Bay's world, everyone

I enjoyed the action and the several setpieces throughout the film. It's definitely not filmed perfectly (more on that in a sec) but Bay does 100% know how to create carnage and with an R-rating, 6 Underground is a visceral film. It blows stuff up, drives cars fast, throws them up in the air, split in half, bullets rip bodies apart, and humans get thrown about as if Bay is a mighty being playing with ants. A particular effect near the end of the film is so preposterous - but AWESOME - that it's a perfect analogy for the film as a whole: you roll your eyes out of absurdity, but can't help but laugh with glee as the effect triggers again. The opening chase goes on for too long, but it's exciting, can be very funny, and lets you know the film is not going to hold any regard for human life. A later session atop a skyscraper is visually stunning and captivating while the ending on a huge yacht features aforementioned effect and is a good time as well. 

The most significant problem with 6 Underground is the way in which it's filmed. What's frustrating is that Bay has known about his worst tendencies for a long time now and they're not things that could be claimed as "artistic". They're objectively bad. The editing of his action is so obnoxious, so overdone, and so ADD that one wonders how all of this would look if a scene could linger for just a few moments. Or even if there was an extended take, God forbid. I don't even really have a problem with his switches of camera views (e.g. normal, to first-person) because I think they add a certain intensity to everything, but when a simple activity like a car drifting around a corner consists of 20+ angles, it feels trashy and it exhausts the audience. The use of music is nearly the same throughout, sporadically switching from alt-rock to the original score and back with awkward timing. 

Generic Michael Bay shot in slow motion

In a lot of ways, 6 Underground is Netflix letting Michael Bay do whatever the f**k he wants and, in a lot of ways, that's quite entertaining. I didn't go in expecting fine art, but I honestly had a blast despite how poorly made (and filmed) it can be at times. Part of me wishes this story and cast would have been in better hands, but Bay also earns his keep - while almost simultaneously destroying it - by giving us total Bayhem that I'm not sure anyone else could have accomplished. My score is reflective of the film's quality, not my (higher) enjoyment of it. 

CONS

• In typical Michael Bay fashion, it's horribly edited to the point of exhaustion
• Kinda trashy (in more than one way)
• Story, while not awful, is basically just a device to get from one action beat to the next
• Awful music editing/transitions

PROS

• Fun cast that help to create some memorable characters. Ryan Reynolds brings a lot of fun and humor to everything
• Tons of Bayhem and carnage with some awesome setpieces and a really fun special effect near the end
• I didn't hate the story or the very very thin message of family it does okay at getting across. Essentially Fast and Furious lite in that regard

Rath's Review Score | 6.5/10