6 UNDERGROUND
Directed by: Michael Bay
Release date: December 13, 2019
Genre: Comedy, Action/Adventure, and Thriller
Distributor: Netflix
MPAA Rating: R

In a film by Michael Bay, a filmmaker known for big-budget, high concept action films characterized by fast cutting, stylistic visuals and extensive use of special effects, including frequent depictions of explosives, comes another such genre movie.

From Bay's early years with Bad  Boys (1995), Armageddon (1998) to Transformers:The Last Knight (2017) and Bumblebee (2018), and everything in between, has been electric "eye candy" cinematography.  6 Underground stays true to Bay's form with an added attraction of Ryan Reynolds and his satirical comedy.  Much like the formulaic movies such as, The A Team and the original TV and film series Mission Impossible, this film could be a mirror.

This is a film whereas its plot is about six highly controversial individuals faking their own deaths to form a vigilante squad, in order to take down high image and notorious criminals.  All of them were brought to the team by its leader Ryan Reynolds portraying ONE, aka The Billionaire for their unique skills and desire to erase their past and change the future.

The crew includes Melanie Laurent as TWO/ Camille "The Doctor", Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as THREE/Javier aka "The Hitman", Ben Hardy as FOUR/Billy aka "The Skywalker", Adria Arjona as FIVE/Amelia aka "The CIA Spook", Dave Franco as SIX aka "The Driver", and Cory Hawkins as SEVEN/Blaine "The Shooter".  All characterized and engaged as energized participants in ultra-heightened thrilling missions.  Their action-thriller parts include and promote intense excitement, suspense, high level anticipation, uncertainty, anxiety, and nerve-wracking tension, along with romantic comedy.  This is all set with high energy, big-budget physical stunts and chases, with rescues, battles, fights, escapes, destructive crises (explosions, fires, etc.), non-stop motion, spectacular rhythm and crisp pacing, and adventurous, with two-dimensional 'good guys/gals heroes battling 'bad guys/gals - all designed for pure audience escapism.

The subplots of comedy mainly supplied by the always funny Ryan Reynolds is timely, but leaves room for the other members of the cast.  The humor provokes laughter with one-liners, by exaggerating the situation, action, relationships, and characters.  Yet, the combination of crime-caper thriller, action-thriller, and even romantic-thriller is stimulating, because 6 Underground all wind up as a wild and hilarious ride of absurdity.

This is film that will saturate the audience with layers of rich action sequences, but must be reminded that is a simplistic plot line involving the heroes'struggle against arch-nemesis and super-villains (usually interested in world domination and the wreaking of vengeance).  Michael Bay delivers just that - and only that.  Don't expect anything else.

FILM RATING (B-)
Gerald Wright