Ambulance (Exclusive Series) (Peacock)

Initial release date: April 8, 2022

Studios: Universal Pictures/New Republic Pictures

Tagline: It was supposed to be a simple heist

Plot: Needing money to cover his wife's medical bills, a decorated veteran teams up with his adopted brother to steal $32 million from a LA bank. However, when their getaway goes spectacularly wrong, the desperate thieves hijack an ambulance that's carrying a severely wounded cop and an EMT worker. Caught in a high-speed chase, the two siblings must figure out a way to outrun the law while keeping their hostages alive.

Cast

Jake Gyllenhaal - Danny Sharp

Yahya Adbul-Mateen II - Will Sharp

Eiza Gonzalez - Cam Thompson

Garret Dillahunt - Capt. Monroe

Keir O'Donnell - FBI Agent Anson Clark

Jackson White - Officer Zach

Olivia Stambouliah - Lt. Dzaghig

Moses Ingram - Amy Sharp

Colin Woodell - EMT Scott

Cedric Sanders - Officer Mark

Writer: Chris Fedak (Prodigal Song; Chuck)

Director: Michael Bay (Netflix's 6 Underground; Transformers: The Last Knight; 13 Hours)

Rated R for intense violence, bloody images and language throughout *136 minutes)

Now, just to get this out of the way - Michael Bay is far from being one of the best directors out there, especially after ruining the last couple 'Transformers' movies he helmed. But, the guy knows how to direct great action - prime examples include 'Bad Boys' and 'The Rock.'

And, for this 2022 action flick Bay goes back to his early days of GOOD action-packed movies.

This action-packed movie really does pack in a lot of awesome action. The action that 'Ambulance' delivers goes practically non-stop and have no issues with that. The helicopter chase sequence alone is completely insane and is one of the most exhilarating action scenes in recent films.

Gyllenhaal and Abdul-Mateen II work really well together and, in most scenes, really do seem like they act like actual adopted brothers. Gyllenhaal can also be humorous during some of his outbursts that his character has throughout the movie.

This is one of those movies that didn't perform well in theaters that is actually quite good and surprising. So, do make sure to check out this action-packed movie on various PVOD rental platforms and on Peacock.

Here are some interesting tidbits for 'Ambulance':

• The helicopter sequence in the LA river wasn't in the script; Michael Bay came up with the idea over the weekend after two helicopters became available for use. The scene was shot in 2.5 hours with the help of helicopter pilot Fred North. Instead of hiring stuntmen for the sequence, Gyllenhaal was actually hanging off the side of the ambulance's door and shooting at the helicopters himself while Mateen II was driving.

• The limited space inside of the ambulance required Gyllenhaal to hold the camera for a couple of takes.

• Jame McBride, who plays Jay the undercover SIS detective, is a real life active LAPD detective.

• To make the film authentic, the cast was allowed to improvise some of their lines. The production also hired real trauma surgeons, firefighters, SWAT teams, snipers, undercover SIS members, and 52 LAPD officers for the shot.

• Michael Bay shot much of the film using drones.

• 'Ambulance' is an American remake of the 2005 Danish film of the same name.

• The film was shot on a $40 million budget in downtown LA. Filming wrapped after 38 days.

• The film was released in the US by Universal on April 8, 2022. It was originally set to be released on February 18, 2022, coinciding with the release of 'Uncharted,' but was moved after Sony postponed 'Bullet Train.'

• Released digitally and on PVOD on May 23, 2022.

• 'Ambulance' grossed $22.3 million in the US and Canada, and $29.4 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $51.7 million. Domestically, the film was released alongside 'Sonic 2' and the wide expansion of 'Everything Everywhere All At Once.'