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Michael Bay, renowned for his knack for blockbuster hits, has been a staple in the action film industry, with iconic titles like “Armageddon” and “The Rock” from the 1990s, as well as the “Transformers” series inspired by classic cartoons. However, one of his more recent works, the 2022 thriller “Ambulance,” has not received the attention it deserves despite its relentless intensity. This gripping film is now available for streaming on Netflix.
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In “Ambulance,” Jake Gyllenhaal, an Academy Award nominee, takes on the role of Danny Sharp, a former Marine caught in a desperate situation when his wife requires costly life-saving surgery that he cannot afford. Eschewing traditional fundraising methods like GoFundMe, Danny concocts a bold plan to rob a bank, aiming to steal $32 million. He enlists the help of his adoptive brother and fellow Marine, Will, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Their plan involves using an ambulance as their getaway vehicle. However, the heist goes awry, forcing the Sharp brothers to grapple with their consciences while evading law enforcement, with the lives of two hostages in jeopardy.
“Ambulance” delivers the high-octane thrills that audiences expect from a Michael Bay film. With a stellar cast that includes Garrett Dillahunt, Eiza González, and Jackson White, it stands out as one of Bay’s most compelling directorial achievements. Now available on Netflix, it offers viewers the chance to experience its heart-pounding action.
The journey of “Ambulance” to the big screen was a lengthy one. Originally based on the 2005 Danish film “Ambulancen,” the project had Michael Bay as its first choice to direct, but scheduling conflicts initially prevented his involvement. The film passed through several directors, including Phillip Noyce of “Patriot Games” fame. However, the COVID-19 pandemic halted many of Bay’s other projects, providing an unexpected opportunity for him to helm “Ambulance.”
“I told my agent, ‘I just want to get out and shoot something fast. I’m tired of being stuck at home,’” Bay shared in an interview with the National News. The pandemic restrictions made “Ambulance” an appealing project for Bay, as it could be filmed quickly and on a modest budget. “It kind of suited my needs,” he added, marking his return to filmmaking after the 2020 lockdowns.
Covid-19 inspired Bay to direct Ambulance
Universal Pictures
“Ambulance” released in 2022, but it had been in development far longer. Adapted from the 2005 Danish film “Ambulancen,” Michael Bay was the studio’s first choice to direct, but was unavailable. While it went through multiple directors, including “Patriot Games” helmer Phillip Noyce, Bay wound up directing thanks to Covid-19. With his other projects on hold during the pandemic, the director was itching to work on something fast.
“I said to my agent, ‘Goddamnit, I just want to get out and shoot something fast. I’m tired of being locked up at home,’” he recounted in an interview with the National News. Bay’s thoughts returned to “Ambulance,” and he realized he could shoot it fairly quickly and inexpensively — making it the perfect project for him coming out of the 2020 lockdowns. “It kind of suited my needs,” he continued.
In a separate interview with Entertainment Weekly, Bay said it was his desire to get out of the house and be around people that prompted him to jump headfirst into the project. “I love to shoot. And I’m a director who doesn’t have a trailer, doesn’t have a director’s chair. I don’t have a video village.” It’s that gung-ho spirit that fueled Bay during production, and contributed to the faster, frenetic pace, helping make “Ambulance” one of the best action movies of 2022.
