When navy pilot Troy Kelly (Ryan Reynolds) is shot down during a reconnaissance mission in Soviet airspace, he is forced to find his own way out of enemy territory. Luckily for Troy, he finds, or is at least found by the rather capable Nicky (Kenneth Branagh), who not only wants to help, he's a fan.
If buddy comedies live and die by their central pairings - which, obviously they do - then Mayday is one that lives. Much like the characters they play, the teaming of Reynolds with Branagh is an unlikely one. Or at least unexpected. But that's probably why it works so well. While Reynolds plays it fairly safe with a toned down take on his usual fast-talking smart mouth (very much a winning formula), Branagh returns to the accent he used in Tenet and Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. The thing is; that accent is the only thing Nick has in common with those other less sympathetic characters. In fact, in many ways, the friendly woodsman who finds the downed pilot is arguably the more fun character of the two, with his mysterious background and slight obsession with all things American. He would, however, be nothing without his newfound American friend, and it is rather amusing watching cultures collide as the pair evade Soviet authorities - led by the delightfully determined Alexander Volkov (Marcin Dorocinski) on their journey across the USSR. But they have to find each other first.
When this throwback to the action comedies of the 80's and 90's kicks off it can feel a little Top Gun lite, as the perfectly preened Troy pulls off aerobatic insanity to save his wingman. This continues as he and his buddy fliers go on to enjoy some shore leave, critiquing both the Soviet Union and the aforementioned Tom Cruise movie as they hit the clubs, while basking in the star status the latter has afforded them. Obviously it doesn't take long for Troy to receive his special assignment and he's whisked away to have a look at what's going on behind the iron curtain. Aviation enthusiasts beware, this is far from an accurate depiction of the SR-71. Although the movie does capture the incredible sense of awe and wonder associated with this impressive aircraft. While simultaneously going to extreme lengths to make sure we dislike Troy's crewmate, played by Louis Cancelmi - read into that what you will. Anyway, it isn't until Troy gets on the ground - or at least wakes up tied to Nick's bed - that Mayday gets to be really fun.
From there that clash of cultures kicks in fast with Nick going to some hilarious lengths to get Troy to safety. Probably because it never occurs to either of them to make Troy look like anything other than a lost American tourist. But it is hilarious to watch Branagh make some impressive fight choreography look effortless, as Nick dispatches everyone from his neighbours, to a train load of Soviet soldiers, and every KGB agent between them and Moscow. And when he's not battling the guardians of the great authoritarian state with a look on his face that says he's hardly trying, Nick even finds time to expose Troy to the reality of life in the Soviet Union - something that can be rather amusing, and yet also seems oddly important, even now. Although the whole 'we're all as bad as each other' plot thread can leave this silly action comedy feeling a little off-kilter, and co-stars Maria Bakalova and David Morse under utilised. But the real joy of Mayday and seeing these two on the road together is the fact that Troy never really knows what Nick is going to do next, and Reynolds does a very good job of looking both alarmed and disturbed.
A fun action comedy that harks back to those of the 80's & 90's. At times Mayday's comparisons of the US and Soviet regimes can get a little heavy, messing with the flow, somewhat. But the delightfully unforeseeable central pairing makes this road trip through the motherland a laugh riot.
7/10
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