Interceptor is one of those action films born from the subgenre Die Hard created, using the ticking clock strategy to create a tense, fast-paced and entertaining action film. The hero has a fixed target and a clear mission, and for 90 minutes, viewers watch as they outsmart, outmaneuver, and outfight their enemies. It seems like an easy task, but it can be challenging to carry the momentum. As many will attest, Die Hard is an exception. A film that aspires to reach those heights needs to have everything working perfectly, starting with a leading actor that can carry a movie alongside engaging fight choreography, exceptional filming techniques, and pacing that constantly ratchets up the tension. In Interceptor, Matthew Reilly, in his directorial debut, has taken on quite the task and the result is somewhat entertaining, silly, and wonky.
Elsa Pataky stars as Captain JJ Collins, who has recently been stationed at one of two interceptor bases for the U.S. Army. These interceptor bases are the last line of defense in the event of a nuclear strike from Russia or any enemy state across the Pacific Ocean. After facing sexual harassment and the full brunt of a patriarchal backlash for standing up for herself, Collins is demoted to her previously held post on SBX-1. Just as she arrives, a coordinated attack at the first interceptor base and an attack on one of Russia's missile bases is carried out on SBX-1. JJ, who the army undermined, is now the only person who can save the United States and maybe the world.
Technically speaking, the film is fine. By Hollywood standards, the action is better than most, but it's still heavily edited to mask either the poor choreography or a misguided attempt to capitalize on the fast-paced, breathless actioner it wants to be. Pataky does, however, sell the action scenes with a fierce commitment that cannot be ignored. She is confident and bold but, most importantly, steady. Pataky doesn't over-commit to the "action star" persona. She is not without vulnerability and can delve into the more personal aspects of her character without sacrificing the strong energy she projects and that the film desperately wants to capitalize on. Opposite Pataky is Luke Bracey, who is hamming it up as Alexander, the brilliant tactician hellbent on bringing America to its knees but manages to never cross the line to absurdity. As for everyone else, they do the bare minimum with their roles.
However, the film does lose its footing when it comes to unveiling the motivations of the villainous Alexander. In a roundabout way, Interceptor plays with the idea that he is like many a Bond villain — motivated by money but loudly and pompously preaches some higher-than-thou belief that the world would be better off with millions of people dead. Through its small roster of characters, the story plays tug-of-war with the idea of American exceptionalism and the extreme misogyny that plagues the world's largest military. Many of the sentiments that characterize the U.S. are portrayed mockingly and almost satirically, revealing the less than kind views Reilly and co-writer Stuart Beattie have of America. Yet, the film falls into that pit willingly by making a point to center JJ Collins as this exceptional serviceperson who, despite being ridiculed, demoted, sexually harassed, and discriminated against for not being American-born, is still willing to die for the country.
The film is not bold enough to reckon with the reality that Collins was willingly put in harm's way by the country she claims to proudly serve. The heroism on display by Collins and Indian American Rahul Shah (Mayen Mehta) is heralded for not just being heroic for the sake of humanity, but because — despite discrimination and bigotry — they will stand for the country and army that hate them for being different. It is a strange and unyielding text that diminishes what could have been an entertaining action flick involving highly-skilled individuals. No matter how knowingly flippant it is, the faux-intellectualism could have been left behind, along with maybe 20 minutes to make for a more effective 80-minute run. The film and its content are laughable and cringe-worthy at times, but there have been far worse examples. Beattie wrote gems such as Derailed, I, Frankenstein, and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, but the core reason to watch Interceptor is to witness Pataky save the world single-handedly.
Interceptor is silly overall. The scenario is highly improbable, but it's a decent setup for an epic fight between one woman and a team of highly trained individuals. It is demonstrably laughable when certain baddies appear and are extreme examples of clichés. The long-winded speeches from the villain are worth an eye-roll, but Bracey has fun with how he feigns superiority. His performance is the cherry on top of this gag of a story. Interceptor checks all the boxes in terms of making an action film that will grab the audience's attention, have one root for the hero, and let out a few chuckles (especially for one horribly done cameo) before promptly forgetting the movie exists.
Interceptor is streaming on Netflix as of Friday, June 3. It is 98 minutes long and is rated TV-MA.