Novocaïne

The concept is great, but it gets old quickly. It's what happens when you have a good concept but poor execution, bad story, and boring action sequences. They could've done so much with it, but it just doesn't really deliver both from the comedic standpoint and action standpoint.

Compare to movies of similar genre of action comedy like Nobody, this film just seems very generic, cliche, and incoherent. It gets worse as it goes, the beginning was actually quite good. By the ending it was just a mess, multiple fake endings making you wish each time it would just end already.

The characters and story inconsistency makes it really hard to follow or believe.

4/10.

Novocaine meaningfully shows the extent you would go to save who you care about. It's filled with hopes, amid lots of action that could easily annihilate the underdog at any moment. There's some romance, more violence, and much more audience concern for the wellbeing of the intended rescuer. As part of displaying heartless crime, be forewarned that Novacaine lacks positive humor. The twists and reveals are nicely unpredictable, though.

Best seen with others for how many challenges and opportunities are dramatized. It's less about guessing what's next, and more about relating and somehow surviving, with the main character's hopes and standards intact.

Alright, let's talk about Novocaine. I went into this one with some pretty high hopes, especially after seeing that trailer. Man, that trailer made it look like it was going to be something truly special, a real standout. Unfortunately, while the story itself is genuinely good, the execution left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. It's not a bad movie by any means, but it just didn't quite live up to its full potential.

The core concept and narrative threads in Novocaine are fantastic. Seriously, the story is genuinely compelling and well-conceived. There are some really interesting ideas at play, and the premise had me hooked from the get-go. You can tell there's a strong foundation here, with clever twists and turns that could have made for an incredibly engaging cinematic experience. The characters, too, have a lot of promise, and you can see the potential for deep emotional resonance.

However, where Novocaine stumbles is in its delivery. The execution felt a bit flat, lacking that punch or polish that would elevate it from good to great. There were moments where the pacing felt off, and some scenes didn't quite land with the impact they should have. It's like the filmmakers had a brilliant blueprint but then rushed a bit in the construction phase.

And that brings me to one of my main gripes: the plot feels incredibly rushed. Things happen so quickly that you don't always have time to fully process the implications or truly connect with the characters' journeys.

Important developments often feel glossed over, leading to a sense of "wait, that just happened?" It's a shame because with a bit more breathing room, those pivotal moments could have had so much more weight and emotional depth. It felt like the film was ticking off plot points rather than letting the story organically unfold.

This hurried pace also contributes to the feeling that the movie isn't as special as the trailer made it out to be. The trailer promised a certain level of intensity, intrigue, and perhaps even a unique visual style, but the final product often falls short of those expectations. It's frustrating when a trailer sets such a high bar, and the movie, while decent, doesn't quite clear it.

So, where does that leave us? For me, Novocaine lands at a solid 6/10. It's definitely watchable, and if you're a fan of the genre or the actors involved, you might still find enjoyment in it. The strong underlying story is enough to keep you engaged, but be prepared for an experience that doesn't quite hit the highs you might be hoping for. It's a movie that had all the ingredients for something truly memorable but just couldn't quite nail the recipe.

6/10 STARS - Novocaine was on my list of most anticipated for the year, and I got the chance to watch it in early March for Regal's March 3rd Monday Mystery Movie. It stars Jack Quaid and Amber Midthunder and is about a guy who can't feel physical pain/sensations who embarks on a rescue mission after the girl he likes is kidnapped during a bank robbery. There were several things to enjoy about this movie - the premise was interesting and it was comedic to see some of the situations he got himself into during his rescue mission. While I didn't hate this film, I wasn't super in love with it, which surprised me because the trailer made it look pretty fun. Part of the problem is, I think, the casting of Jack Quaid - who seems to play the same type of character in most of his roles - and the writing of the love interest could have probably been improved in ways to make her character a bit more likable. An unnecessary racially divisive line snuck in at the end was nonsensical too. But as a whole, I've seen worse movies, so I don't consider this a waste of my time. Just wish it could have been a bit better. Video review to come shortly.

Greetings again from the darkness. In decades past, we wouldn't have been surprised in the least to see a movie starring Jack Nicholson and Dennis Quaid. In fact, in 1973 Jack co-starred with Dennis' brother Randy in one of my favorite films, THE LAST DETAIL. Well, here we are more than fifty years later, and Dennis' (and Meg Ryan's) son Jack Quaid is co-starring with Jack's son Ray Nicholson in what is sure to be one of this year's most outlandish action-comedies. The screenplay is by Lars Jacobson and the film is co-directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, who also collaborated on BODY (2015).

REM's "Everybody Hurts" plays over the opening credits and sequence which provide hints to the measures Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid, COMPANION, 2025) has taken around his house. With tennis balls shielding sharp corners and a stop to prevent scalding water in the shower, Nathan appears to be quite accident-prone. We learn he's a good-guy Assistant Manager at a local San Diego bank, and profiles as nebbish in his looks and skittish mannerisms ... especially around new bank teller Sherry (Amber Midthunder, THE ICE ROAD, 2021). Sensing his awkwardness and attraction, Sherry takes charge and asks Nathan to lunch. A bite of cherry pie leads Nathan to disclose his rare genetic disorder - he simply cannot feel pain (thus explaining the earlier tennis balls).

One personal disclosure leads to another, which leads to an art gallery, which leads to romantic intimacy and what easily could spin off into a familiar quirky rom-com with these two. Instead, while Nathan is riding an emotional high, three men dressed as Santa Claus violently rob the bank on Christmas Eve and take Nathan's new squeeze Sherry as hostage. This sends our wimpy superhero Nathan (nicknamed Novocaine by junior high bullies) on a rescue mission. His previous fighting experience has been limited to online video game sessions with Roscoe (Jacob Batalon, Ned from Marvel movies), although the two have never actually met.

The fight sequences are quite violent and absurdly comical in how they take advantage of Nathan's blend of physical disorder, nice guy tendencies, and commitment to rescuing his first love. Creativity is at maximum volume as Nathan takes on a red-hot frying pan and boiling oil in a restaurant kitchen skirmish, replete with bodily poundings that would leave anyone else shattered. Things really pick up in a wickedly booby-trapped house that sets up a HOME ALONE joke. Mostly, however, the body horror serves as punchline after punchline ... some surely to tweak even the most squeamish movie goers.

Ray Nicholson (I LOVE YOU FOREVER, 2024) provides a jolt of adrenaline and psychotic violent behavior to ensure no one watching still believes this is a rom-com in the making. His Simon thrives not so much on the money from the robberies as the power and control he displays and the torture he doles out. The finale battles between Simon and Nathan are extreme and creatively unique. While the entertainment value is present, there are still some minor issues with the story and proceedings. The detectives on the case are played by Betty Gabriel (GET OUT, 2017) and Matt Walsh ("Veep"). These two talented actors are given very little to do and it's a shame their roles weren't beefed up a bit. Additionally, there is a key twist that will surprise almost no one. Is it even a twist if they tell you it's coming?

The action scenes are purposefully absurd, and although some bits are over-the-top, others are pure comedy-action brilliance. Jack Quaid is fitting right in to his lead character roles, and Ray Nicholson is mastering the wild-eyed psycho dude. Amber Midthunder shows yet again how immensely talented she is, and it's likely her future roles will take advantage of what she brings on screen. My personal biggest hope is that the filmmakers avoid a sequel ... one which would likely leave us viewers disappointingly numb (had to work in one pun).

Opens in theaters on March 14, 2025.