Overview:
Helmed by Steven Brill, “The Union” is an action spy thriller featuring Mark Wahlberg as Mike, an average guy whose life gets thrown upside down when he runs into his high school sweetheart, Roxanne, years later—a deadly spy played by Halle Berry. At any rate, Roxanne is no ordinary ex-girlfriend; she’s a deadly spy deep in the middle of a dangerous mission. What begins as a reunion becomes a race around the world, full of espionage, white-knuckle action, and dramatic high stakes. As the secrets of Roxane get Mike in deeper, he will have to use his wits if he is to make it out alive in this game of international intrigue.
Against the backdrop of some of London’s iconic landmarks, “The Union” delivers an adrenaline-laden cocktail of fender-bending chases, punishing hand-to-hand combat sequences, and intricate espionage techniques. Next, it merges the classic spy movie with modern twists such as high-tech gadgetry and heists. As the story unfolds, Mike starts questioning who he can really trust since allegiances are constantly blurred between friend and foe.
Review:
The reviews for “The Union” have mostly been positive, with accolades toward its action and lead performances. Mark Wahlberg brings his trademark charisma and physique into the role of Mike, who makes this guy real despite he is put into extraordinary scenarios. Halle Berry turns in a performance of a lifetime playing Roxane, who goes hard but with a vulnerable intensity. That on-screen chemistry makes the action more intense and emotionally resonant beats within the film.
The direction of the film has also been commended for being able to keep up the tension from start to finish, with action scenes so well-choreographed that they will keep the audience on their toes. One more strong point of the movie was its pacing, which whirled audiences so fast from one scene of an adrenaline rush into another without giving any breathing space at all. The setting of the film in London has been utilized pretty well; its historic and modern locations enhance the film’s visuals.
Even though “The Union” delivers in action and as an entertainment vehicle, some critics have responded that the plot is a tad too predictable and leverages too much from spy movie tropes. The plot is at best very typical and does not hold too many surprises in it, which isn’t that surprising. Its polish is in the way it’s executed, so in essence, it gives the audience precisely what they might want: action, suspense, and a dash of romance.
Ratings:
Rotten Tomatoes: 78% (Fresh)
The film has a respectable Rotten Tomatoes rating since many critics did like its action elements and acting performances; however, others comment on the overall generic plot and rather clichéd ending as a slight drawback.
IMDb: 7.4/10
The reception of “The Union” by IMDb users is positive, audiences liking Wahlberg-Berry chemistry and non-stop action in the movie.
Metacritic: 71/100
With that, Metacritic’s score reflects generally favorable reviews, although some critics call for a more original storyline as much praise was found for the film’s direction and action choreography.
Conclusion:
“The Union” is a full-bore spy thriller that delivers with action and suspense. It doesn’t really break any new ground, but it’s able to provide a solid cinema experience with very sturdy performances and dynamic direction. For viewers who like their films at breakneck speeds, “The Union” should be worthwhile viewing, offering action, intrigue, and marquee power in equal measure.
