An unhinged Taron Egerton is not enough to claw Apex away from mediocrity writes Carter Smith
Apex is as original as a middle-aged mum with a live, laugh, love painting on the wall. Two people go on a dangerous expedition to start the movie — this time in the form of Sasha (Charlize Theron) and husband Tommy (Eric Bana) climbing up in the uncanny CGI Norwegian mountains — and something goes wrong. Terribly wrong. What was originally a thrill seeking exercise, turns into an early grave for poor Aussie Tommy.
Never has a death been so guaranteed since the last Final Destination franchise. As soon as he remarks about how his love for climbing is deteriorating, the coroner would have already been on his way to these mountains.
It doesn’t get much better from that point either. Each scene that follows is just about as predictable as the last.
Apex is a bore. It’s 96 minutes of supposed thrill and exhilaration which barely grabs your attention, let alone making the hairs on your neck stand up.
We are not the only ones who are going through the motions. Sasha, who I can only imagine is completely unfazed by it all based on her facial expressions, travels to the Australian woods for some solo adventure. No more mountains though. They have been retired until it is convenient again.
If the dead husband wasn’t enough, a run in with freaky local Ben (A unhinged Taron Egerton makes matters worse, luring her into a twisted cat and mouse game where her life is at stake.
This is where the heart should start beating quickly, but it doesn’t. There is no element of surprise. Sasha has to run for her life as cross bow wielding Ben starts to chase down his prey.
But it all just feels tame? Whether that’s the janky camera work or the pace, it doesn’t ever really live up to what promises to be a nail biting run time.
There are a few mildly ok twists and turns, and stomach curling reveals, but none of it makes this bland film any more average than the rest in this sub genre of movie.
- Apex is available to watch on Netflix
