Film Review – The Instigators

Director Doug Liman makes movies quickly, with “The Instigators” his second feature of 2024. The first was the “Road House” remake that launched last spring, with the helmer struggling to make something slightly silly and mostly rough with the project, failing to revive the simple pleasures of the 1989 picture. Liman’s in a similar position with “The Instigators,” which also looks to deliver some punchiness with action and humor, with screenwriters Casey Affleck and Chuck MacLean straining to add some emotional layers to the effort as well. It’s a shot of reality in a film that never really settles with tone or humor, becoming scattershot as Liman tries to land the story as something of dramatic value. It’s an uphill battle for the cast and crew, who look to craft a wild ride with prickly personalities and crime world threats, but the helmer’s heart just isn’t in the work, making for a frustratingly mediocre viewing experience. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com