Angel Manuel Soto gives us the 2026 brother/buddy action film The Wrecking Crew. The film penned by Jonathan Tropper entertains. The excitement quotient by this viewer was, initially at any rate, premature. I thought of the old Donald Hamilton Matt Helm series. The Wrecking Crew was number two in a 27 book series. Hamilton wrote the books as a sort of answer to the Brit spy who loved us, James Bond; via Ian Fleming. The 1968 “tongue-in-cheek” movie with Dean Martin also became a favorite, despite the emphasis on comedy.
This version, however, is not about spies. Nor does it focus upon assassins. This aloha based film is all about brotherly love, dysfunctional families and bonding.
The Wrecking Crew Story
Estranged half-brothers Jonny and James reunite after their father’s mysterious death. As they search for the truth, buried secrets reveal a conspiracy threatening to tear their family apart. [Per IMDb.com.] Like we said, not a spy in the lot.
The Main Cast
Dave Bautista is James Hale.
Jason Momoa is Jonny Hale.
Temuera Morrison is Governor Pete Mahone.
Morena Baccarin is Valentina.
Claes Bang is Marcus Robichaux.
Jacob Batalon is Pika.
Great Cameos
Stephen Root is Detective Rennert.
Miyavi is Nakamura.
Branscombe Richmond is Mr K.
RIP
David Hekili Kenui Bell who played Alekai. This was Bell’s final role before his death in 2025.
Let’s Talk The Wrecking Crew
Despite not being a Matt Helm re-imagining, the film rocks. It is fun, has just enough familial dysfunction to be entertaining and a great cast. The triple casting of Bautista, Momoa and Baccarin clenches the deal. All three are on fire right now. I first saw Baccarin on Serenity, and then on Firefly; entering the Whedonesque world of Browncoats backward. She plays well with Momoa’s character and generally comes across as a genuine hard case. The actress just keeps getting better and better, aging like a very fine wine and spinning her performances out, it seems, with minimal effort.
The fight scenes, AKA; Choreography are brilliant as fashioned by Stunt Choreographer Akihiro Haga. Combined with the DP Matt Flannery and Editor Michael McCusker, the trio works well with the director Soto to bring this entertaining story to life.
It All Works
This just over 2 hour film races to its conclusion. On top of everything else going for it, the pacing moves things on almost painlessly. Having a slew of familiar faces also helps. *Although to be fair, there could have been more of Branscombe Richmond, that chap has more credits that Carter’s got little pills.* **And if you know that little “Carter’s” bon mot, drop us a line and tell me the last time you heard it used.**
The Wrecking Crew works as a buddy/brother film, a mystery, action/comedy and as an ensemble piece. The thing ticks almost every box and it is good enough to watch repeatedly.
The Verdict
The Wrecking Crew is a solid 4.5 stars out of 5. It loses half a star just for Dave Bautista. Not that he does anything wrong, but he seems to be in everything at the moment. He is even competing against himself right now. His 2025 film Trap House is streaming on Netflix, and Prime as well – but you have to rent it.
The film is streaming on Prime, of course it is; the film is labelled an “Amazon Original.” It’s worth a look if you subscribe.
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