This has been a weird year for Apple Studios. It follows after they tried to make some box office headway last year with their major Oscar releases Killers Of The Flower Moon and Napoleon to middling results. Then, Argylle flopped, I’m not sure Fancy Dance had much more than a qualifying run, and The Instigators basically got the same treatment, though isn’t an awards contender. Doug Liman is reteaming with Matt Damon after kicking off the Jason Bourne franchise with him 22 years ago, and it also marks his second directorial effort after Amazon’s road House remake. The Instigators also has a pan Affleck paired with Damon, so it feels like you can’t lose here. Except, somehow, people just aren’t interested.
I blame the title. Doug Liman, who is no stranger to quick dialog after his debut Swingers became an instant classic, and his follow up Go became one of those underrated films that has fans, even if not everyone has seen it. He also has action films under his belt, including the endlessly entertaining Edge Of Tomorrow. but, much like that movie, this title is terrible.
The Instigators? No wonder no one wants to watch this. Did this title test well? I ask, because I didn’t think the movie was bad. Damon and Affleck play two men who join a robbery crew that ends up going awry, and they resort to having to trust each other, despite being total stranger, and also trusting Damon’s psychiatrist, who he has been seeing for a while for an undetermined reason (at least, in the beginning). The Boston police think they shot a cop, the mob that hired them wants their money, and everyone is looking for them, and I was looking for why this was called The instigators.
Damon and Casey Affleck have known each other for so long that the chemistry just bounces back and forth. Hong Chou is a nice foil as the psychiatrist who seems to be going along almost out of pity.The rest of the cast features random familiar faces, from Ving Rhames to Michael Stuhlbarg.
Audio description wise, the narration choice was solid, the script was well written, and it balances the comedy and action rather well. Even the slight moments of drama or tension play fine. I particularly enjoyed a scene that involved the guys trying to get into the back of an armored vehicle.
It can be a bit messy as a film, with a lot of ideas, an ensemble, and a plot that almost feels like you are playing a video game with an endless series of quests. The monotony could have been cut by leaning more in on the comedy, instead of this potentially decent film that seems happy with being a nice time waster.
Not sure about the title, and it isn’t perfect, but Doug Liman is pretty reliable. I think you will probably have one good watch.
Final Grade: B
