Even from the poster alone, you know exactly what you’re getting with new Prime Video movie The Wrecking Crew. Starring Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista as estranged half-brothers, the pair must solve their father’s mysterious death, which unravels a huge conspiracy.
Essentially, there’s a lot of motorcycle riding, gun-toting, and punching when the time calls for it. Our duo never shies away from a humorous gag or two, but let’s face it – we’re all tuning in to watch them throw it down.
While The Wrecking Crew has its fair share of high-octane action sequences and far-out violence, the dial could have been turned up even further, according to director Ángel Manuel Soto.
Why was it “toned down” instead? That decision came down to Amazon, and I can’t help wondering if the choice has completely changed the type of movie we’re streaming.
‘The changes were all for the better of the movie’
“It was great working with Amazon,” Soto says. “I try to do everything theatrical, even if it goes to streaming. I don’t feel that I should like scale down or do less. I just do it the way I think I want to see the movie, be true to the story.
“Amazon was great with the style, the energy, they supported me all the way. They did tone down the violence a little bit, for me. But I think that’s part of the collaboration, and it was all for the better of the film.”
Am I annoyed that we don’t get to see more violence? Yes. Am I annoyed that B-reel deleted scenes don’t exist on a streaming service? Even more so. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t appreciate what we have.
Soto’s action inspirations include greats like Lethal Weapon, 48 Hrs and Oldboy, the latter of which has a shot-for-shot homage to it in The Wrecking Crew. In face, you might be surprised to learn that Korean movies are the biggest reference point for what you’re watching.
“Most of the movies that I was watching while we were filming were Korean and Asian cinema, especially their action movies,” Soto says. “I love them, and I think there’s a unique approach to the way they handle action and story. I didn’t go to film school, but I watched a lot of movies, so I love paying homage to the films that made me.
“It’s a way to honor the ones that came before us, and a way to learn and explore different techniques. Being able to build that with Jon Valera, our stunt coordinator and second unit director as really exciting.”
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