After writing for blockbuster hits such as Iron Man 3 (2013) and Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), Drew Pearce is finally getting his turn at directing a feature film. If you’ve seen any of the promos or trailers for Hotel Artemis, you already know that he’s taking the action to another level with is debut work. Absent are the monstrous budgetary expectations as are the obvious restrictions that come with trying to work within a PG-13 construct that some studios love to live within. With the freedom to roam pretty much wherever he likes, can Pearce put forth a worthy film that will appease a bloodthirsty demographic? Let’s check-in and see what’s going on with this graphic novelesque action crime thriller.
The Hotel Artemis is kind of like a hospital located in Switzerland where all parties are to remain neutral. This facility caters to a more discerning, yet dark, clientele seeking discretion and medical care in their time of need. The Nurse (Jodie Foster) has run this place for over 20 years and has done so effectively and without incident. She relies on her orderly, Everest (Dave Bautista) to help keep things in order. While the city of Los Angeles is reaching a riotous state, an influx of interesting characters will make this a night the hotel won’t soon forget. By the time this night is over, rules will be broken and lives will be lost as everything starts crumbling down.
Hotel Artemis is packed with stars. In addition to Foster and Bautista, Sterling K. Brown, Sofia Boutella, Charlie Day, Jenny Slate, Zachary Quinto and Jeff Goldblum all have a part to play and each with their own little story, secret and vice. It’s hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys and chaos runs amuck with gentle touch barely seeing the light of day. Strong language and violence is the theme de jour and the R-rating is definitely earned.
The plot seems okay at first but gets a bit scattered as director/writer Drew Pearce tries to make this story more complex than it actually is. Everyone plays over the top roles most of the actions are pretty predictable. Hotel Artemis is the perfect example of a Saturday night popcorn flick. Don’t expect to take too much away from your experience but you shouldn’t be too bored throughout. Entertaining is achieved but it won’t be for everyone. Think of this as a “B movie” with more recognizable and more relevant actors. Waiting for a matinee may prove to be the most prudent course of action but if you’re dying for a little excitement, this may give you a small dose of complacency over a 90 minute timespan. Hotel Artemis is in theaters now.
