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Michael Bay, the mastermind behind countless blockbuster hits, has a storied career that spans from iconic ’90s action films like “Armageddon” and “The Rock” to live-action versions of beloved cartoons such as “Transformers.” Despite his myriad successes, there’s one film in his repertoire that remains underappreciated: the 2022 thriller “Ambulance,” which has recently become available on Netflix.
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“Ambulance” stars Academy Award nominee Jake Gyllenhaal as Danny Sharp, a former Marine who finds himself in a dire predicament when his wife requires an expensive, life-saving surgery that he can’t afford. Faced with this dilemma, Danny devises a high-stakes plan to rob a bank and escape with $32 million. Enlisting the help of his adoptive brother and fellow Marine, Will, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Danny plans to commandeer an ambulance as their getaway vehicle. However, when the heist goes awry, the Sharp brothers are left grappling with their morals while trying to evade law enforcement, all while the lives of two hostages hang in the balance.
This fast-paced thriller delivers all the explosive action one expects from a Michael Bay film, and more. Featuring a talented ensemble cast including Garrett Dillahunt, Eiza González, and Jackson White, “Ambulance” stands out as one of Bay’s finest directorial achievements, now available for streaming on Netflix.
Though “Ambulance” debuted in 2022, its journey from concept to screen was lengthy. Based on the 2005 Danish film “Ambulancen,” Bay was initially the studio’s top choice to direct but was unavailable at the time. The project cycled through several directors, including Phillip Noyce of “Patriot Games” fame, before landing back in Bay’s hands due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With his other projects sidelined during the lockdown, Bay was eager to tackle something swift and dynamic.
In an interview with the National News, Bay shared, “I told my agent, ‘I just want to get out and shoot something quickly. I’m tired of being cooped up at home.'” Revisiting “Ambulance,” he realized it was the ideal project to shoot efficiently and on a budget, perfectly aligning with his post-lockdown aspirations. “It kind of suited my needs,” he added.
Covid-19 inspired Bay to direct Ambulance
Universal Pictures
In another discussion with Entertainment Weekly, Bay noted that his urge to break free from isolation and reconnect with people fueled his enthusiasm for the project. “I love to shoot. I’m a director who doesn’t need a trailer, a director’s chair, or a video village,” he stated. This hands-on approach drove the energetic pace of production, solidifying “Ambulance” as one of the standout action films of 2022.
“I said to my agent, ‘Goddamnit, I just want to get out and shoot something fast. I’m tired of being locked up at home,’” he recounted in an interview with the National News. Bay’s thoughts returned to “Ambulance,” and he realized he could shoot it fairly quickly and inexpensively — making it the perfect project for him coming out of the 2020 lockdowns. “It kind of suited my needs,” he continued.
In a separate interview with Entertainment Weekly, Bay said it was his desire to get out of the house and be around people that prompted him to jump headfirst into the project. “I love to shoot. And I’m a director who doesn’t have a trailer, doesn’t have a director’s chair. I don’t have a video village.” It’s that gung-ho spirit that fueled Bay during production, and contributed to the faster, frenetic pace, helping make “Ambulance” one of the best action movies of 2022.
