Blu-ray Review: 21 Bridges

STUDIO: Universal | DIRECTOR: Brian Kirk | CAST: Chadwick Boseman, Taylor Kitsch, Sienna Miller, Keith David, J.K. Simmons, Stephen James
RELEASE DATE: Feb.18, 2020 | PRICE: DVD $17.96, Blu-ray/DVD Combo $20.54
BONUSES: commentary, deleted scenes
SPECS: R | 100 min. | Action crime thriller | 2.39:1 widescreen | DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 | subtitles

RATINGS (out of 5 dishes): Movie  | Audio  | Video  | Overall

A decent crime thriller featuring a sturdy cast, 21 Bridges stars Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther) as Andre, a tough New York City detective who was witness to his cop father’s murder when he was younger. Now, he’s trying to snag two perps (John Carter‘s Taylor Kitsch and If Beale Street Could Talk‘s Stephen James) involved in  a major shootout that leaves two policemen dead after they discover a cocaine deal turns out bigger than expected.

In order to corral the culprits, Andre—who has done some questionable things while on the force–gets partnered with a cop who is a single mother (Sienna Miller, American Sniper) and hatches a plan to shut down all the bridges leading in and out of Manhattan. The gutsy strategy is eventually questioned by Andre himself after he discovers some unsettling facts about how the NYPD operates.

Though set in New York, much of 21 Bridges was shot in Philadelphia, and the city works as a suitable stand-in for the Big Apple. There is no shortage of solid action sequences ably staged by Irish TV director Brian Kirk (Penny Dreadful), and the city provides some unusual locales for the film’s landscape. Solid support is provided by J.K. Simmons (Whiplash) and Keith David (H4) as law enforcement officials.

Released during the 2019 holiday season, 21 Bridges brought in a less-than-enthusiastic $28.5 million at the box-office along with mixed critical reception. Stiil, with rising star Boseman delivering a change-of-pace performance from his historical figures (Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall, James Brown) and a Wakanda-based king, 21 Bridges will likely snag a following upon its arrival on home screens.