Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum's 'The Lost City' is just as funny and over-the-top as the trailers make it seem
- Warning: There are mild spoilers ahead for "The Lost City."
- The enjoyable action rom-com may remind you of 1984's "Romancing the Stone."
Sometimes you see a movie trailer and you really hope it lives up to the hype. "The Lost City" more than delivers.
From the moment Channing Tatum makes his entrance in "The Lost City" — wearing a luxurious bleach blonde wig as Dash, the cover model of a racy romance series "The Lost City of D" — you know you're in for a wild 112 mins.
Never taking itself too seriously, the action rom-com is an enjoyably fun time, leaning into its absurd plot with over-the-top characters who deliver plenty of laughs.
Insider recommends going into the film without knowing much to preserve some of the reveals.
But if you must know some details, "The Lost City" follows best-selling romance novelist Loretta Sage (Sandra Bullock) who hasn't moved on after the death of her husband five years ago.
In need of a change, Loretta receives more than she bargained for when she winds up kidnapped during her book tour. It gives her the necessary push to start living again.
Devoted to Loretta and her work, Dash — whose real name is Alan — takes it upon himself to put a rescue mission in place. The problem? Though he looks like a knight in shining armor, he's not exactly the guy you'd call to get you out of a jam. Though well-intentioned, Alan's a bit uncoordinated.
Tatum simultaneously channels the charm of his "Magic Mike" character and the hilarity of his dim, but handsome "21 Jump Street" cop persona. For those who have missed Tatum on screen (he's on fire this spring with back-to-back wins in "Dog" and now "The Lost City"), you'll get to see him show off some dance moves here.
Everyone in this movie is firing on all cylinders.
Daniel Radcliffe gives a delightfully maddening performance as Abigail Fairfax, the eccentric son of a billionaire who kidnaps Loretta in the misguided hope that she can help him track down a relic.
It's a far cry from his rise to fame as the star of the "Harry Potter" franchise and it's obvious he's having the time of his life throwing himself into the role.
If Radcliffe is a scene-stealer then Brad Pitt is the film's MVP. Hired by Alan to save Loretta, Pitt gets the film's biggest laughs and best action moments alongside Tatum. The film's greatest failure is that he's not in the movie more.
Instead, most of the film focuses on Loretta and Alan trying to navigate a jungle on their own to make it back to safety. Bullock spends the film's entirety trekking through wildlife in an uncomfortably snug purple jumpsuit.
The film's main highlight, which has already received much chatter online, involves a hilarious moment between Bullock and Tatum where the latter puts his derriere on full display. (In case you're wondering, Tatum did not use a stunt butt).
Often, the film feels like a superior version of "Uncharted," Sony's Tom Holland-starrer from February that also features an expedition to find a lost treasure.
True cinephiles may find it has more in common with a Michael Douglas movie from the '80s, "Romancing the Stone." Both films involve workaholic romance novelists who get roped up into an unexpected adventure involving dodgy folks. "The Lost City" feels like a soft reboot of the Robert Zemeckis film.
Like the 1984 film, "The Lost City" sets itself up for a potential sequel, but it plays just fine as a one-off.
As long as you don't take this one too seriously, you're going to have a good time. While the film is light-hearted and full of laughs, there is a sweet message at the film's core about not being afraid to put yourself out there after a loss.
PS — Make sure to stick around for a mid-credits scene.