The Lost City

 Don't think I didn't notice The Lost City when it debuted in March. It was on my schedule until reasons that I brought up last time. And so, rather than slot in a few Oscar contenders, I made time for this and the already-reviewed Firestarter. Let's see what it has to offer.

Loretta Sage (Sandra Bullock) is the widowed author of a series of adventure novels starring the intrepid Dr. Lovemore. Alan Caprison (Channing Tatum) is the cover model for Lovemore's love interest, the daring Dash McMahon. On their latest book tour, Loretta is nabbed by the goons of superrich Abigail Fairfax (Daniel Radcliffe). Fairfax bought an Atlantic Island and is convinced Loretta can help him find an actual lost city there. He specifically wants the city's "Crown of Fire." They have to hurry before a volcano erupts and destroys the city. Fairfax won't be happy if Loretta doesn't comply.

Meanwhile, Alan sets off to rescue Loretta with the help of super-competent Jack Trainor (Brad Pitt). Alan is forced to be the real hero (kind of) when Jack gets taken out of the picture. Loretta and Alan bond for real as they try to fend off Fairfax's goons. Also meanwhile, Loretta's publisher Beth (Da'Vine Joy Randolph) sets off on her own rescue mission to save Loretta. Who will save Loretta first?

Its premise of a novelist finding actual adventure brings to mind 1984's Romancing the Stone. Its director brothers, Aaron and Adam Nee, along with their co-writers, Oren Uziel and Dana Fox, put their own endearingly silly spin on that premise. Its nature is reflected by its leads. Alan is incredibly dumb, but we immediately see that he's anything but an egotist. Loretta's less-charitable nature is understandable considering her loss. It's still funny to see her dismiss meeting Fairfax as a prank. It's so much fun to see them bond and fight off Fairfax's henchmen. It's also quite moving when they discover what the Crown of Fire really is.

Meanwhile, Jack is simply too good to live past act one. And he doesn't, until he shows up alive at the end with a delightfully daffy rationale. Fairfax is a hilariously immature villain right until the end, where he leaves our heroes to die in the eruption. Beth's subplot pays off when she shows up at the nick of time. Oscar Nunez, as Oscar the cargo pilot, is just as funny and caring to Beth as Alan is to Loretta. We can't leave out Hector Anibal and Thomas Forbes-Johnson, who play Fairfax's henchmen, Rafi and Julian. Julian gets killed in a hilariously avoidable manner, while Rafi struggles with his conscience throughout the film. Rafi helps Alan and Loretta escape.

The film does a great job mixing action and comedy. Alan and Jack help Loretta escape, but they both fail to see how easy it is to cut her free from the chair she's bound to. The resulting car chase is as exciting as it is awkward. The opening, where we see Loretta and Alan "act out" a story she's writing, is a funny visualization of writer's block. The visual effects are good, especially when we see Loretta delete the prologue's villain (Stephen Lang). The Lost City is a stunning underground oasis, and its reveal is set to the grandest of Pinar Toprak's score.

The Lost City is a delightful action romantic comedy. Its leads' chemistry enlivens the seemingly familiar story. Its set pieces are often as funny as they are thrilling. All in all, it should make for a good home matinee. Amazon Prime has it for free, but I saw it through on-demand via MGM + (formerly Epix). Just press play and you'll be in for 112 exciting minutes. It's not too late to watch it.