Stretch is an action packed feature written and directed by Joe Carnahan who has previously been the man behind movies like The A-Team, Smokin' Aces, and The Grey. The movie stars Patrick Wilson, Ed Helms, Brooklyn Decker, Jessica Alba, James Badge Dale, Ray Liotta, David Hasselhoff, Randy Couture, and Chris Pine.
Stretch (Wilson) is a limo driver who, after some bad life choices, is trying to go on the straight and narrow and getting himself out from under some serious debt that he owes. Of course, his best way of accomplishing these goals is to implicate himself in a scheme involving ledger filmed with criminal names that is being sought after by just about anyone and everyone. Thus begins a night filled with wild parties, car chases, shoot outs, hookers, strippers, mob fights, and all kinds of other cool stuff you might find in a bad ass action movie like this.
Over the years, Joe Carnahan has proven himself to be very adept at making action movies that are fun, sexy, and just plain awesome. This most recent effort is most similar to the wild, over the top action of Smokin' Aces which has become an action movie cult classic thanks to its insane cast of characters and fun, roller coaster style pacing. Carnahan does a great job of keeping the action going and coming up with unexpectedly fun scenarios to throw his character into. Some of it may be a bit predictable but you really won't care because it's all just too much fun. Throw in some seriously cool cameos and you've got a really fun mix of action and comedy that stays right up in your face from beginning to end.
Patrick Wilson is perfectly cast in this movie as a sort of eye of the storm type character who takes everything in stride and never gets rattled even when everything is falling apart around him. I've always been a fan of the cool confidence Wilson brings to the roles he plays and this movie gives some classic examples of what he is capable of. Check out his reaction when his girlfriend picks pretty much the most awkward moment to break up with him. Classic! Ed Helms is really funny in a very strange supporting role and Jessica Alba proves once again why she is one of my favorite people on the planet. What I wasn't expecting from this movie was a performance from Chris Pine that will easily go down as one of my all time favorites. I can't even describe it, you just have to see it for yourself. Pine also takes home the award for most awesome entrance ever in the history of film. haha!
Stretch is a movie that will sneak up on you, draw you in, and captivate you with a sense of style and attitude that is hard to find in the current state of film making. Joe Carnahan continues to make movies that I love and I can't wait to see what he has in store for us next. Meanwhile, Stretch has firmly cemented its place as one of my favorite films of 2014.
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