The November Man Review
RYAN: The November Man is randomly coming out in August. It’s a very weird few weeks we have for movies here so maybe it’s not that random. It is explained in the film why the main character is known as The November Man, but it’s not the best title.
CAROLINE: What is this movie – Pierce Brosnan’s desperate attempt to reclaim his James Bond days?
RYAN: (laughs) Maybe. It’s is a bit like a James Bond or Mission Impossible B movie. It’s an action spy thriller. It’s a mystery with some twists and those are the best parts.
CAROLINE: Everyone likes a good twist.
RYAN: The movie is immediately suspenseful and it’s good – but it’s not perfect. There are some problems with it and with a few tweaks, it could have been great and more on par with the better movies in this genre.
CAROLINE: What didn’t work?
RYAN: Well it’s super confusing for most of it. You’d have hated that. I even got really confused for much of it. There’s so much going on, so many different characters going in different directions – and there’s no familiarity with these characters or the organization so you’re constantly trying to catch up with the plot. It eventually does all come together but before that point, I was kinda anti this movie.
CAROLINE: That sounds pretty inconsistent.
RYAN: There are some abrupt scenes and a bit of rough editing which also put a snag in the overall quality of the film. But in the end, I still enjoyed this movie. It would also have really benefitted from at least one really cool, innovative, or unique action sequence. You know how Tom Cruise always does something crazy cool in the MI movies? That would have bumped it all up a notch in this one.
CAROLINE: So who does Pierce play?
RYAN: He’s an ex-CIA operative called Peter Devereaux. It’s helped greatly that Pierce is cast in the role. Since Devereaux means nothing it helps having that old James Bond there. You believe him.
CAROLINE: That makes sense. How’s the rest of the cast?
RYAN: There’s Luke Bracey who is a Paul Walker type and then Olga Kurylenko, the Ukrainian actress who looks like a super model and pretty much acts like one. Her face really bugs me. She’s often just devoid of emotion. She got better as the movie went on. But I’ve never been a real fan of hers. I hated To the Wonder and not thrilled with Oblivion either. She did also appear in Quantum of Solace so she shares the 007 past with Pierce.
CAROLINE: Clearly they are trying to make a new James Bond.
RYAN: It was filmed in some cool euro locations which are fun to see. It does slump a bit in the middle but then picks up again and once the twist hits, it’s a good pace. I was literally annoyed, thinking there’s a crucial piece of info missing from the story that made everything so confusing but then it all comes together. And some of the info all comes out
CAROLINE: Yeah that would annoy me too.
RYAN: There’s some nudity. It’s violent and a wee bit bloody. But it’s a solid, R rated spy thriller.
Nathan August 29, 2014
I love a good action movie and although I think he made a servicable Bond, I’d be willing to see him in an action movie.