'6 Underground': The Michael Bay flick is fantastically outrageous and a classic example where critics consensus takes a backseat
'6 Underground' had its Rotten Tomatoes score announced a couple of days back. The Michael Bay flick starring Ryan Reynolds registered an average 35% on Tomatometer, but the audience score is a rough double as it puts in a healthy 65%. The critical consensus reads: "Underground is loud, frenetic, and finally preposterous, which is either bad news or a hearty recommendation, depending on how one feels about the movies of Michael Bay."
Emphasis on the word 'depending'. When the movie hit Netflix on December 13, it generated quite the buzz with the 15-minute car-shred sequence shot beautifully in Florence, Italy. Add to that some manic mayhem, courtesy Bay, and some crisp one-liners by Reynolds coupled with two hot dames in the backseat of the Alfa Romeo, the opener is a visual delight.
Fan reactions poured in relentlessly on Twitter and here's our choice: "I'm 15 minutes into #6Underground and it is the most Michael Bay-est movie since Bad Boys II. F the critics, F the haters, F the film snobs, I freaking love Michael Bay! Also, the cinematography deserves awards recognition but it goes ignored because of the kind of movie it's in." This is that sort of a film where critics trying to put in their two cents worth aren't listened to. Bay's movies aren't meant to strike a chord. They're not meant to make you weep with tears of joy, and they most certainly don't fall under parallel cinema. So, all that thrashing doesn't matter. Not one bit.
Frankly, there isn't much of a plot. It's wafer-thin and predictable, but Bay's movies seldom come with a concrete plot. It works. It absolutely does. The movie has three great action sequences — The Alfa Romeo car chase, the breaking out of Murat from Hong Kong and the magnet on the Yacht as the final one. So all you need to throw in is a story that connects these scenes and voila. Bay's classic is ready to hit the screens. '6 Underground' is massy and isn't meant to be judged. Well, of course, that's our opinion and fans echo it.
Another great example of fans' opinion trumping the critics is 'The Expendables' trilogy. Who wouldn't love to see Arnold Schwarzenegger hoist a big gun and riddle baddies with bullet holes? Or who wouldn't see Harrison Ford feel like he's put in Galaca as we see him maneuver a plane expertly? All that matters from these movies are having an enjoyable two hours of your time, and they are simply the best if they make it worth the while.
For now, '6 Underground' had fans thrilled. If Netflix is satisfied with the viewership it's raked in, then we wouldn't be surprised if Bay is allotted another $150 million and given the license to blow things up for a sequel or two. As far as action flicks for the holiday season go, this one's worth it.