Bickering siblings attempt to continue the legacy of their adventurer father and help save a dying benefactor by solving an age-old mystery in Fountain of Youth, now streaming on Apple TV+. This fast-paced adventure benefits from peppy direction by Guy Ritchie and charismatic performances from a cast led by John Krasinski and Natalie Portman that results in a largely agreeable experience. Still, efforts to appeal to every possible demographic drain the movie of personality and threaten to turn it into ambiguous streaming “entertainment” (see also: Back in Action, Ghosted, The Family Plan, Red Notice, et al.).
In the tradition of the National Treasure films and Dan Brown novels (the latest of which is slated to be a new Netflix series that may film in Prague), the almost-impenetrable plot of Fountain of Youth surrounds a mystery lost to time but preserved through artefacts passed down through generations. A group of adventurers is tracking down the mythical titular locale, but unlike Juan Ponce de Leon, they’re following a map that begins with hidden messages culled from 17th century paintings.
In Fountain of Youth‘s breathless opening scene, archaeologist Luke Purdue (Krasinski) has already acquired one of those paintings in Bangkok, but he’s in the midst of trying to outrun the Thai mafia on a scooter through the Thai capital’s bustling streets; he even lifts a flaming food cart and uses it as a projectile weapon. Shortly after, he’s ambushed by the alluring Esme (Eiza González) on a train out of town, resulting in an extended fight scene with a dash of rizz.
Before the title has even appeared on screen, Fountain of Youth has already delivered a pair of zippy action scenes on location, nicely choreographed and shot in director Ritchie’s signature over-the-top style. And zero story: we haven’t even been properly introduced to Krasinski’s archaeologist by the time he’s outrunning the Thai mafia and having fisticuffs with a team of well-armed mercenaries. There are other scenes of excitement throughout the movie, but this streamlined opening is the best it gets.
In London, exposition comes in heavy. Luke visits sister Charlotte at her museum, but he’s really there to swipe a valuable Rembrandt, leading to another well-executed chase scene through Trafalgar Square. When the Rembrandt doesn’t give him what he needs, he ends up recruiting Charlotte for help in deciphering messages in a series of historic paintings that purportedly lead to the titular fountain.
The globetrotting mission is funded by billionaire Owen Carver (Domhnall Gleeson), dying of cancer, with Luke and now Charlotte working alongside their late father’s associates Patrick Murphy (Laz Alonso) and Deb McCall (Carmen Ejogo)—neither of whom have much of anything to do here. Charlotte’s son Thomas (Benjamin Chivers) comes along for the ride while the whole gang is tailed by the Thai mafia, Interpol agents led by Inspector Jamal Abbas (Arian Moayed), and González’s mystery woman, working for a character played by Stanley Tucci, who just might be reprising his role from Conclave.
In quick order, the narrative takes them to the sunken Lusitania, which is briefly raised to the surface of the Atlantic Ocean, the Austrian National Library, and the Great Pyramid of Giza. That the story, concocted by screenwriter James Vanderbilt (Zodiac, Scream), doesn’t make a lick of sense is almost forgivable; director Ritchie keeps the globetrotting narrative moving so fast we almost struggle to keep up with it, and there’s a nifty action sequence in each historic locale to serve as a distraction.
But by the time Fountain of Youth‘s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade inspired finale comes along, everyone seems to have checked out of the movie; even director Ritchie has handed the reins over to the visual effects team for a sequence of mythical fantasy presented in the least imaginative way possible. Viewers, too, can be excused for tuning out during the film’s final 15 minutes.
Fountain of Youth might play better in cinemas, but has the unfortunate distinction of premiering on Apple TV+ the same weekend that Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning debuts theatrically. That film reminds us of the power of a franchise built on blockbuster ambition, star power, practical stunt work, and love for its IP. As fun as Fountain of Youth might be, it feels cheap and anonymous in comparison, and won’t leave anyone looking forward to a future installment.
Still, Fountain of Youth is nicely shot across some gorgeous locations by cinematographer Ed Wild, well-scored by Ritchie collaborator Christopher Benstead, who apes some of Hans Zimmer’s work for the director, and appealingly performed, though Portman’s serious-minded turn contrasts with the goofball chemistry between Krasinski and González. These kinds of action-adventure movies designed to please all audiences typically please none, but Fountain of Youth comes close to bucking that trend. It won’t leave you feeling rejuvenated, but there’s enough zest here to keep it from being a wash.
2 Responses
Tried watching this twice and fell asleep both times. Fans of Ritchie not need to bother, watch Mobland on Paramount+ instead.
Shit film I expected more from Ritchie. It’s as garbage as all those other streaming one-and-dones