Too Inside The Box
Introduction
Outside the Wire is a 2021 science fiction movie directed by Mikael Håfström, a director and writer known for creating several films that received mixed receptions. Despite that, I enjoyed Outside the Wire and its premise, partly due to the energy delivered by its actors.
Setting and Plot
In the not-so-distant future, a warlord by the name of Victor Koval has managed to push his influence across Ukraine under the assistance of Russian financial backing, with the Americans brought in to curb his advancement and regain dominance over the region. However, due to the fierce war raging around them, the Americans have opted to incorporate robotic units to change the tide of the war.
Outside the Wire is set from the perspective of Lieutenant Thomas Harp, an apathetic ace drone pilot who disobeyed a direct order from his superiors resulting in the loss of two soldiers. Due to that costly disobedience, Harp was posted to the front-line under the supervision of a Captain Leo, a synthetic humanoid with an advanced AI capable of acting autonomously.
The film incorporates various sci-fi and technological elements that complement the setting but does not seem to use the technology to its fullest. One can compare the robots’ appearance to something developed by Boston Robotics, making them look like our next real-world technological advancement. If one looks carefully, you can even find one of their mechanical dogs strutting around the campsites.
For the most part, Outside the Wire feels reminiscent of other experimental Netflix sci-fi flicks, like Extinction and Spectral, with a game-changing twist that alters our perspective of the movie. However, Outside the Wire needed to feel like it wanted to spell out its master plan to the audience for some reason.
The film’s message regarding collateral damage done by drone strikes is expressed throughout its runtime, with Harp being at the centre of it all as everyone’s favourite punching bag. We see the results of his actions and the guilt it accumulates, while he fights in the front lines.
Outside the Wire’s pacing was on point for the first two-thirds but could not land that final stretch, as the interesting premise becomes irrelevant and action scenes decline in quantity towards the end, making the finale feel very forgettable and generic.
Characters and Performances
Speaking about death Robots, we still have to talk about the resident Terminator, Captain Leo, played by Anthony Mackie. Mackie is well known for his roles as Falcon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and for his portrayal of Takashi Kovac in the second season of Altered Carbon. While I find Mackie to be a good actor, I find that his appearance is not what I would choose to disguise a killer machine inside Ukraine without raising a few eyebrows.
While he isn’t a T-800, he can definitely compete with their body count. Watching him slaughter his way through groups of GUMPs and soldiers like a hot knife through butter made me wonder whether I was watching a pro player go to town in a Call of Duty match. That is why it is so unsettling to watch this sentient murder toaster walk around completely unattended. It is like they want to provoke a Skynet situation.
Despite Damson Idris being the main protagonist and doing his best to generate a decent performance, Anthony Mackie is the star of this movie. He is even displayed as the main character on the promotional imagery. Even while acting, Idris’s performance is overshadowed by Mackie’s swagger in almost every single scene they are in together.
Conclusion
Outside the Wire had all the potential of becoming an excellent sci-fi film, with a brilliant cast and an interesting premise. However, the philosophical elements and pacing fall apart during the final act leading to an unremarkable ending. That said, it does have a fantastic cast of actors pushing it, with Anthony Mackie owning practically every scene he is in.
The choreography and science fiction elements do give this film several stand out moments, yet the filters do sometimes make the scenery look bland at times. If you are a fan of sci-fi movies like Terminator 2: Judgement Day or even Will Smith’s I, Robot, then Outside the Wire will still be an enjoyable movie to watch.
