Elsa Pataky plays the lead in director Matt Reilly’s debut action-drama “Interceptor” in which she as an army captain must do her best in defending a remote US missile interceptor base in the Pacific to save the nation from terrorist attacks. Now streaming on Netflix, it’s an old-fashioned action film and probably one of those many available for streaming, but nothing specific to catch your attention or interest.
The film starts with an onscreen note that reveals: ‘It would take 24 minutes for a Russian nuclear missile to hit America, and the US would have only half that time—12 minutes—to detect and shoot that missile down.’ As expected, the story then quickly reveals how one of those bases – Fort Greely in Alaska military base – is taken over by Russian terrorists. The only other base that can launch interceptor missiles is the floating military base in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
We are then introduced to Captain JJ Collins (Elsa Pataky) who is returning to service after battling a sexual harassment case against her top brass. She now must fight to keep armed attackers out of the command center of her missile defense base to save many American cities from nuclear attacks. As revealed, the terrorists have stolen as many as 16 nuclear weapons by attacking a nuclear facility in Russia. The story then only focuses on what Collins can do as a formidable army officer to thwart the terror plot.
Watch the movie trailer below
Even though the plotline of “Interceptor” is too familiar and predictable, one always expects something better in terms of execution, and often it’s the director who usually amplifies the tension by creating situations that are relatable and plausible. However, here neither we have enough substance to create an edgy atmosphere, nor do we have anything unique in characterization to make the performance enjoyable.
Even if we imagine such a realistic scenario or anything closer to any Cold War fiction, the storyline is too amateurish. Also, if it’s an attack by terrorists, I mean, who broadcasts such a plan to the whole world before it’s even done? Moreover, why would it always be one man/woman single-handedly countering a gang of villains? “Interceptor” relies heavily on standard action tropes, and if you don’t mind a formulaic action thriller then you may watch the film.
Interceptor is now streaming on Netflix.
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
Director: Matthew Reilly
Cast: Elsa Pataky, Luke Bracey, Aaron Glenane, Mayen Mehta, Rhys Muldoon, Belinda Jombwe, Colin Friels, and Zoe Carides.
Screenplay: Matthew Reilly, Stuart Beattie
Cinematography: Ross Emery
Countries: United States, Australia
Release Dates: May 26, 2022 (Australia premiere), June 3, 2022
Where to watch Interceptor (2022)
