Plot: What’s it about?
I don’t usually do best-of or worst-of lists, but if I did Pursuit would be on the worst list. Never has an action film, riddled with bullets and tons of mindless shootouts felt so damn lifeless and boring. This is one of the more incomprehensible films I have seen in quite some time. In fact, the plot is so obscure that if it not for the press sheet and the back of the case, I wouldn’t know just what to say about it when it comes to the plot. John Cusack is in a supporting role here and it feels now like he’s competing with Nic Cage and Bruce Willis (all three of them fine actors in their prime) for never declining a role. What he or the rest of the cast saw in this script is beyond me but let me slow it down a bit and discuss what there is of a plot. Read on.
Emile Hirsch plays Rick Calloway: he has tattoos on his face and is a ruthless hacker whose wife has been kidnapped by a drug cartel. John Cusack plays John Calloway. He is Rick’s father and just looks downright bored in all his scenes. If Rick didn’t have enough to deal with having a kidnapped wife, he also has Detective Breslin (Jake Manley) on his tail. There’s an early shootout that eventually finds Rick escaping. Honestly, the early moments of this film throw so much at us, but it truly is hard to care about any of it. I don’t expect to be spoon-fed information, but I do want introduction to the characters and their world. This is lazy filmmaking at its finest.
If you absolutely must watch Pursuit, just be advised that there truly is little of redeeming value to be found here. Bullets fly and the body count is high, but you will be hard-pressed to care anything happening on screen. It just shows that mindless action is boring when we care nothing about what happens to the people involved. Nothing here works. There isn’t tension with the kidnapping or the hunt for Rick. It throws all sorts of wild and wacky characters at us, but none of them are the least bit interesting. For some 90 minutes I sat there praying and hoping it would end sooner than later. Avoid this garbage at all costs.
Video: How’s it look?
I am only assuming that the film was shot digitally, but I don’t care to know for certain. It looks darn good, though. Remember that painting a turd in gold doesn’t stop it from being a turd. But I digress. The 2.39:1 image has a clean and polished look throughout and viewers will at least not be nitpicking the visuals.
Audio: How’s it sound?
The DTS HD track is also a good one. The film has much action, so right away the track kicks into high gear. Vocals are fine as well and have the sharpness one wants from a modern film. The channels all remained active and whether it was bullets or shouting in the background, it all comes across nicely.
Supplements: What are the extras?
- Behind the Scenes of Pursuit – A brief behind the scenes that features the usual praising and useless banter.
- Theatrical Trailer
The Bottom Line
Never has a film felt so useless and inconsequential that the mess that is Pursuit. I really can’t think of anything positive to say about it. It has a low budget VOD feel to it and is downright boring, despite the action and gun play. Avoid this mess at all costs.
