The Lost City - A Movie Review

This isn’t going to be the typical adventure, that’s what scares me.

The Lost City traveled into theaters in 2022. Loretta, a reclusive romance novelist is kidnapped from her book tour. Coming to her rescue, Alan, her charming book cover model, is swept away on an adventure through the jungle.

I had so much fun watching The Lost City. Going in, I thought it was going to be your average adventure film that fell on the usual cliches. Laughing through the entire movie, The Lost City has fun being what it is.

Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum made a strong comedic team. They were given equal screen time, never overpowering one another. The two also had to get very close during one hilarious scene involving leeches. Loretta and Alan’s interactions are the most important part of the film, regaling how gender norms have transformed.

Bullock’s comedic timing needs to be recognized more. Her ‘so done’ facial reactions and line delivery were hilarious. Tatum’s comedy was based more on physicality. Aside from that, I liked how he played out his character’s sensitivity. He wasn’t afraid to showcase a side of men that needs to be brought out in more films.

Harry Potter fans, prepare to see the great wizard hero as a villain. Radcliffe was excellent as the villain. If it was written with a stronger back story and motivation, it would have acquainted Daniel Radcliffe’s performance. He felt out of place in this film, but he was still memorable. I would like to see him in more roles like this.

I like how the script was written, taking a break from our main stars. Da’Vine Jay Randolph was fantastic! As Loretta’s publisher, she decides to find Loretta herself. Going through her own crisis as she travels from plane to ship and meets crazy people, she had hilarious deliveries.

Oh yes, and expect a memorable appearance from Brad Pitt. He should have been a surprise instead of being spoiled in the trailer. More credits include Oscar Nunez, Patti Harrison, Bowen Yang, Thomas Forbes Johnson, and Joan Pringle. The entire cast had a blast working on this film.

Now, onto the comedy. The Lost City is a silly film. That’s okay. After the last couple of years that we’ve had audiences need a laugh. Comedy has several definitions. Sometimes the comedy overshadowed the real story.

A couple of plot points were forgotten. For example, one of the main characters experienced a tragic event in the past but it's hardly ever brought up. Said plot point could have been scrapped.

Filming took place in the Dominican Republic. Finding the best jungle locations, Aaron Nee and Adam Nee let the cast drive the film with comedic instincts. The Lost City had more physical work than I thought it would. One stunt involving an explosion was filmed in one take.

As Bullock remarked, the costumes play as characters, too. Her now-iconic purple suit was designed to last any natural setting like water, hiking up steep cliffs, and walking through the jungle.

Landing on the usual adventure tropes, The Lost City is an upgrade to the usual cliche adventure film. The Lost City does something different. As I mentioned, gender norms have changed. Some audiences may not enjoy the comedy, but just treat it like a movie.

You have to see The Lost City. See it in theaters. Take caution as there is nudity. The audience who I saw it with laughed at every joke. If you need a laugh, this is the film for you.