In "Wolfs", George Clooney and Brad Pitt team up (or rather, face off) in a light-hearted, star-studded caper that feels like a throwback to the golden era of buddy movies. The premise is simple: Clooney’s seasoned fixer is called to help Amy Ryan’s district attorney when a scandal threatens her career. But just when he seems to have things under control, Pitt’s character, another fixer, arrives, leading to a collision of egos, banter, and a lot of smoldering gazes. It’s a film where the plot takes a backseat to the charm of its leading men, and that’s both its biggest strength and its most glaring weakness.
The heart of the film lies in its two leads, and it’s hard to argue with the magic of watching Pitt and Clooney play off each other. Their chemistry, honed through years of collaboration in films like Ocean’s Eleven, shines here as they trade barbs and moments of real connection. If you’re a fan of their previous work together, you’ll find plenty to enjoy. Director Jon Watts, stepping away from the superhero action of his Spider-Man trilogy, lets these two heavyweights carry the film with their charisma, and for the most part, it works. Clooney’s laid-back charm contrasts perfectly with Pitt’s cool intensity, making every scene between them a pleasure to watch.
Visually, "Wolfs" aims to capture the gritty yet nostalgic feel of New York in the 90s. The film’s tone is a love letter to that era, bringing back memories of action-packed, dialogue-driven thrillers. There’s a sense that the movie is trying to rekindle the energy of Pulp Fiction-style crime dramas or buddy comedies like Lethal Weapon. And it almost succeeds. The streets of New York feel lived-in, and there’s a rough, old-school edge to the film’s style, which suits the two leads perfectly. The problem is, that it never quite transcends its influences.
While the film excels in the interaction between its stars, it stumbles when it comes to delivering a compelling narrative. The plot, involving a dead body and a scandalous cover-up, feels like window dressing for the Clooney-Pitt show. You’re not watching this for the story—you're watching it to see these two icons strut their stuff. And while that’s fine for a while, it’s hard not to feel like the film could have used a little more meat on its bones. At times, it feels like an extended sketch rather than a fully developed film.
One of the most glaring issues with "Wolfs" is its pacing. The movie never quite finds its rhythm. There are moments when the banter between Clooney and Pitt hits just right, but then the film drags as it tries to inject some semblance of tension into the proceedings. The stakes never feel particularly high, and as a result, some scenes fall flat. When you’ve got two actors of this caliber, you want the film to build toward something, but "Wolfs" seems content to coast on their charm rather than push them into more interesting territory.
Another missed opportunity is the film’s release. This is the kind of movie that demands a big-screen experience. The interplay between Clooney and Pitt, combined with the film’s throwback aesthetic, would have been electric in a packed theater. Instead, the movie has been relegated to Apple TV+, which somewhat dampens the impact. Watching it at home, you lose the collective energy that comes from a shared viewing experience, something this film would have benefited from. It’s a fun movie, but it would have been even better with an audience.
However, it’s not all bad news. "Wolfs" does what it sets out to do—provide a nostalgic, easy-to-digest ride for fans of its stars. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t need to. The real joy here is in watching Clooney and Pitt do what they do best, which is, frankly, to be movie stars. They don’t need special effects or complex storytelling to command the screen, and "Wolfs" is a reminder of the simple pleasure of watching actors at the top of their game enjoy themselves. There’s a certain charm to the film’s laid-back nature, and while it may not stick with you long after the credits roll, it’s a breezy, enjoyable way to spend two hours.
In the end, "Wolfs" is a mixed bag. If you’re a fan of Clooney and Pitt, you’ll find plenty to love, but if you’re looking for a gripping story or edge-of-your-seat thrills, you might leave disappointed. It’s a film that’s more interested in the journey than the destination, and while the ride is fun, it’s not quite as memorable as it could have been. But in a world of overblown blockbusters and CGI-heavy spectacles, there’s something refreshing about a film that relies solely on star power to get by, even if it doesn’t always hit the mark.
Final Score- [6/10]
Reviewed by - Anjali Sharma
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Publisher at Midgard Times