Hooked on Apple TV's content, today I checked out one of their latest releases. Mayday, released on September 4th, is an action comedy written and directed by John Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, who are known for bringing comedic twists to setups and stories that don't necessarily call for them.
It stars Ryan Reynolds as Troy Kelly, a U.S. Navy pilot during the Cold War whose plane is shot down over Russian territory during a mission. Kenneth Branagh plays Nikolai Ustinov, a hermit ex-KGB agent who ends up rescuing Troy (Reynolds), and together they set off on a journey to escape Russia while dodging capture along the way.
As you can tell, the premise is simple: a road-trip buddy comedy wrapped in that classic '80s action-flick vibe featuring dynamic duos. The twist? That playful touch Ryan Reynolds has recently been bringing to every project he acts in and produces. This might actually be a bit counterproductive, as he kind of feels like Deadpool in everything he does now. I won't lie, he got a few laughs out of me, but some viewers might not find that routine as funny anymore.
Kenneth Branagh, on the other hand, is a completely different story. Starting with how well he pulls off the Russian accent, his action scenes—especially for a 65-year-old—are really well done. Sure, they're over-the-top, but they're undeniably entertaining. You can genuinely see he’s acting and having a blast; his character grows on you, and you end up really empathizing with him.
Beyond the main leads' performances, there isn't much else to say. It's a fun weekend watch packed with action, spy games, an '80s vibe, and great cast chemistry, all through a comedic lens. It also tries to leave a message about friendship, the importance of loyalty, setting divisions aside, avoiding prejudice, and not becoming products of our governments by blindly repeating what propaganda tells us.
Media from TMBD gallery
Rating: 75/100
