Jolt

While we're looking forward to seeing action movies as effective as the ones in the John Wick saga and more recently Nobody (2021), the movie Jolt arrives directly on Prime Video and succeeds in imposing itself as one of the best news of this streaming platform. We must admit that the previous films of the director Tanya Wexler did not particularly mark our minds, whether it is Finding North (1998), Ball in the House (2001), Hysteria (2011) or Buffaloed (2019) whose only real interest was the presence of Zoey Deutch. However, Jolt exceeds our expectations and stands out as an excellent action film with some points of humor and especially the presence of the always sublime Kate Beckinsale (Pearl Harbor (2001), Underworld (2003), Total Recall (2017), The Only Living Boy in New York (2017)...)

After a rather effective introduction describing Lindy's (Kate Beckinsale) difficult childhood linked to a rare neurological disorder that increases her strength tenfold and causes uncontrollable excesses of rage, she is entrusted to a clinic for a revolutlionary treatment. Years later, Lindy is able to control her rage by shocking herself with an electrode device, but is still monitored by a psychologist to keep track of her treatment. After being fired from her job as a bouncer, the murder of the first man she fell in love with plunges her into a personal vendetta as law enforcement stalls in their investigation to find the killer. Law enforcement also pursues her as their prime suspect. What emerges is a succession of highly effective action scenes and chases that have nothing to envy the Hollywood productions of the Majors.

It is interesting to see the impact that the cinematographic saga has had on the current action cinema. Not only in terms of visual impact, but also in terms of editing and the choice of a cast that fits the film perfectly. While Keanu Reeves' career seemed to be at a standstill, John Wick brought him back to a state of grace and revived his career (a new film of the Matrix saga will be released this year and a new John Wick next year). We can easily understand the presence of Kate Beckinsale in this film, especially since she has always been impeccable in action films like those of the cinematographic saga Underworld (2003-2016).

Similarly, the editing and visual approach of Jolt gives it a very graphic look and quite close to that of current superhero films. It is impossible not to think of the character Miss Hulk from Marvel when discovering the dilation of his pupils (this wink is obvious). In the same way Jolt seems to take as an example films like Smokin' Aces (2006), Crank (2006), Atomic Blonde (2017) which gives to this film a supercharged aspect that nothing can stop. The frenetic editing goes in this direction and reminds us the effects of an excellent roller coaster in which we feel a permanent acceleration. We suspect that if the public success on Prime Video a sequel could take place as the open ending brings enough material for Lindy to become a super agent embarking on dangerous missions.

Some will protest that Jolt is a simple B-movie built around spectacular action scenes and that Kate Bekinsale can't dethrone Charlize Theron as the best current actress in action movies. However, Jolt is a successful film that we will see again with the same pleasure as its effectiveness is undeniable and its short duration (91 minutes) perfect for an action film that avoids wasting time with long and boring dialogues or unnecessary filler scenes.

Jolt
Directed by Tanya Wexler
Written by Scott Wascha
Produced by David Bernardi, Sherryl Clark, Robert Van Norden, Les Weldon, Yariv Lerner
Starring Kate Beckinsale, Bobby Cannavale, Jai Courtney , Laverne Cox, David Bradley, Ori Pfeffer, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci 
Cinematography : Jules O'Loughlin
Edited by Chris Barwell, Carsten Kupanek, Michael J. Duthie
Music by Dominic Lewis
Production companies : Millennium Media, Busted Shark Productions, Campbell Grobman Films, Electric Films
Distributed by Amazon Studios
Release date : July 23, 2021
Running time : 91 minutes

Seen on July 23, 2021 (Prime Video)

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