Imagine returning to your hometown to reconnect with childhood friends and what should have been a simple reunion turns into an international crisis about a missing nuclear weapon. Apparently catching up with friends is no longer enough, some people must add saving the world to the reunion package.
That is exactly what happens in Matchbox, the movie stars John Cena, Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, Arturo Castro and Teyonah Parris.
The movie follows Sean Walker, a CIA agent who has spent years away from the people he grew up with, as a child Sean and his friends Aimee, Crosby, Charmaine and Ted shared a bond built around their love for cars and their adventures together, they were practically inseparable, life, everybody eventually went their separate ways. Sean’s life took a different direction when he became involved in intelligence work turning him into a highly trained operative who deals with dangerous missions rather than ordinary everyday problems, now after completing an assignment involving a nuclear, warhead Sean is given some time off, instead of knowing what to do with himself, him Sean then receives news that Mr Smalley, a man who played an important role in Sean’s childhood has died, so this news brings back memories so Sean decides to return and reconnect with the people he left behind.
He expects a visit but things are about to get seriously complicated. When Sean meets Aimee and the rest of the gang again they begin catching up on their lives, Aimee is now a paramedic with a passion for cars, Crosby works in construction, Charmaine is a reporter with an interest in aviation, Ted has built a family of his own, Every one of them has grown up, Life has taken them in different directions but some things never really change, Sean and Aimee especially have a history that goes beyond friendship, Sean had feelings for Aimee when they were younger although Sean never properly expressed them.
Before they can enjoy their reunion Sean’s professional life comes knocking.
Remember that nuclear warhead Sean was handling during his CIA assignment? Well the weapon has gone missing, suddenly Sean finds himself at the centre of a dangerous investigation, Sean’s superiors suspect Sean of stealing it, and Sean’s childhood friends are dragged into the mess simply because they are connected to him
Imagine minding your business , meeting a friend enjoying a few drinks and suddenly finding yourself suspected of being involved in an international terrorist plot, these people came for a reunion, not a security briefing!
Things get even worse when the friends are kidnapped and find themselves caught up in a situation they barely understand, Sean has to figure out what happened to the weapon while trying to protect the people who have trusted him since childhood.
The problem is that he cannot simply explain everything away or walk into the CIA and expect everybody to believe Sean. He needs evidence, he needs help.
That is where the gang becomes important, Although none of them signed up to become agents, their everyday experiences and individual abilities turn out to be useful, so with Sean leading the operation the gang becomes involved in an international chase involving suspicious intelligence officials, criminals and some seriously intense vehicle stunts.
As the gang moves deeper into the conspiracy, Sean discovers that the situation is not as straightforward as it first appeared, someone has been manipulating events and the missing nuclear weapon is part of a bigger plan that could have devastating consequences.
Now the gang must work together to recover the weapon expose the people and prevent a catastrophe, Between the missions, chaotic escapes, car chases and arguments that come with putting a group of ordinary friends into extraordinary circumstances the journey becomes anything but boring.
Beneath all the action the movie also explores friendship, trust and the things people leave unfinished when life takes them away from home, Sean has spent years building a career that requires him to keep people at a distance, Yet when everything falls apart it is the people Sean left behind who stand by him, By the time the truth comes out and the danger is brought under control he has more than his reputation to think about, He must also decide what he wants his personal life to look like.
As, for Aimee? Let us say that sometimes the feelings we never had the courage to express when we were younger are still waiting for us when we finally return.
The Movie brings together action, comedy, childhood nostalgia and a second chance at love, The Movie reminds us that life can take us away, from people who once meant everything to us but that does not mean those connections have to disappear forever.
Rating: 95/100
