Boss Level – A Pure Action Escape and A Fresh Take On A Tired Gimmick

It’s now several months into 2021 and COVID is still hanging around like that one friend that’s last to leave the party and doesn’t get the hint he needed to over an hour ago.

Side thought: Remember parties? They were great right? I don’t really remember.

Nevertheless, as studios are still figuring out ways to push their products on the masses that are desperate for a means to escape their reality you can always count on something to come out of nowhere and provide a lasting impression of entertainment. Personally, those are the standout moments throughout the year; when a movie, on its surface, resembles something lukewarm and overdone that relies on a gimmick that wide audiences can quickly grasp and yet, it completely surprises viewers by offering a fresh take on something many have long believed they had figured out before pressing play. Boss Level is that film.

At first glance, one can most likely surmise the exact plot points that Boss Level will over the course of its 100 minute running time – a former Spec Ops soldier named Roy Pulver (Grillo) is thrust into a repeating time loop of the same day which results in his death and is forced to discover the purpose of his never ending torture. While the premise could instantly turn many away as this form of narrative has appeared countless times over countless films, Boss Level brings with it an immense level of snark and charm which fuels a comically sarcastic approach that is entertaining from start to finish. Its near-perfect blend of Deadpool and Groundhog Day enables Grillo as Pulver to truly shine with both his physical skills and coarse delivery of humor.

The film is further supported by a solid surrounding cast that consists of Watts, Will Sasso, and Gibson, all of whom are serviceable in their respective roles, but it’s through subtleties in both Sasso and Gibson’s delivery that kept things interesting in the narrative as the film progressed. This is, in part, what makes Boss Level so enjoyable. It understands exactly what its purpose is and never strays from that path. The film is essentially pure, unfiltered entertainment designed to allow potential viewers to mentally check out and simply enjoy the craziness that is about to happen.

Others might see this point as a weakness or a prime target for harsh criticism, and while they are correct to some degree, they are also wasting an opportunity to enjoy something specifically created to entertain. One could pick apart Boss Level‘s main crux of a repeating day as it centers around protecting world annihilation, but it feels unnecessary because that is never where its strength lies. In the end, it succeeds by leaning into the established tropes of the action genre, representing them with a high production value while also adding enough charisma to remain engaging.

Will it be the best movie of 2021? Doubtful.

But there’s something beautiful about how a film can find you at the right time and in the right mood to help offer a wonderful escape. Boss Level is that escape because it offers a fun and wild ride that deceptively uses a seemingly tired premise to successfully distract and delight any that are willing to give it a chance. And from the looks of it so far, it looks like we are going to need many more like it to get us through the year.

still courtesy of Hulu

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Trying my best to get all thoughts about TV and Film out of my head and onto the interweb.