For films on a smaller budget, perhaps intentionally aimed at streaming, a good rule of thumb is KISS, keep it simple stupid. The Bluff is a great example of this. A straight forward pirate story, limited locations, and set pieces that don't break the bank but remain effective, and you have a fun little movie that delivers some action and good characters. I enjoyed The Bluff and wouldn't be sad if the tales of "Bloody Mary" continue on into new adventures.
I didn't have Priyanka Chopra becoming action star on my bingo card but she nails this. Her former pirate turned family woman is tough (as nails) and smart and pulls off being able to fight off a hoard of nasty pirates. Urban might be playing to type but he make a compelling rival to Chopra and their little battle of wills, while as I said straight forward, ends up being damn entertaining.
Sure you can see they cut corners. On the big screen this might have been bigger names (I hear Zoe Saldana was originally eyed for the role) and some of the effects seem designed for a smaller screen at home. As I said, the script cleverly keeps its action intimate so that large set pieces, crowds, big special effects, can be avoided and produced more cost effectively. Therefore the script needed to make interesting characters and a compelling conflict. It mostly achieves this. I found The Bluff entertaining throughout. While I may not have paid to see this on the big screen, I was enjoying it enough to watch at home.
And that's all I really need from a film. A good time. Sure when a film can surprise me, blow my mind, take me somewhere I haven't been before, I love that even more. But I can appreciate an old fashioned adventure that doesn't talk down to me, doesn't bore me. The Bluff walks that line and gives us just enough that I wouldn't mind seeing more of this story in the future.
The Bluff
Starring: Priyanka Chopra, Karl Urban, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Safia Oakley-Green, Temuera Morrison
Director: Frank E. Flowers
Writers: Joe Ballarini, Frank E. Flowers
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