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From the very first frame, the ‘Fountain of Youth’ clearly communicates its intentions to the audience: strap yourself in, as things are set to get very explosive with very little exposition. Krasinski takes the stage as Luke Purdue, an archeologist and extreme globe trekker who is mid-scooping with the Thai mafia, also joining the race.
To add spice to the scuffle, Eiza Gonzalez, who plays Esme, also enters, leading to a ‘Conversation’ where they exchange punches and bullets. The opening is packed, giving us not just one but two thrilling action scenes, and quite literally, the title hasn't even been showcased yet. The title does appear later, but throughout the movie, it feels like the fast-paced action is extremely unbalanced.
The movie is directed by Guy Ritchie and written by James Vanderbilt (Zodiac, Scream). It tackles the mixture of National Treasure, Indiana Jones, and Dan Brown. The premise sounds incredible at first, as it aims to capture the feel of a fun-packed adventure.
But it completely tries to kill the build-up of suspense by constantly rushing throughout the essential clues, character set-up, and the back story. To put it in a more accurate statement, the movie tries to do many things all at once and ends up falling flat.
Luke’s mission — to find the fabled Fountain of Youth using hidden messages buried in 17th-century artworks — brings him back to London, where he ropes in his estranged sister Charlotte (Natalie Portman), a museum curator and reluctant partner. Together, they must decode secrets hidden in paintings, raise sunken ships, and survive shootouts in pyramids, all while fending off the mafia, Interpol, and competing mercenaries.
The cast includes Domhnall Gleeson as Owen Carver, a terminally ill billionaire funding the mission; Laz Alonso and Carmen Ejogo as their late father’s former colleagues; Stanley Tucci as a potentially recurring villain; and Benjamin Chivers as Charlotte’s son Thomas, who gets dragged along for the ride. Despite this packed roster, few characters leave a lasting impression beyond their archetypes.
Gorgeous visuals, charismatic leads, but little emotional depth
Its aesthetics are arguably the most outstanding of everything in The Fountain of Youth. Ed Wild, the movie's photographer, does not go wrong with capturing the borders, be it the Golden Nile or the quietly astounding Austrian National Library. Christopher Benstead does not shy away from Johannes Zimmer’s legendary action motifs, which he brilliantly implements in his scores, adding grandeur to the film.
John Krasinski is as refreshing as Luke since he portrays a version of a new world, Indiana Jones. He modernizes the character with commendable charm and a roguish smile. Portman remains as captivating as ever, but as Charlotte, she embraces the character’s smarts too much, unlike with some of the film’s absurd moments, actually making it hard for her to enjoy the movie. Without a doubt, González was the most entertaining character, making her scenes unforgettable even if the script does not give her the best lines.
The movie doesn't exactly have polished pacing, and it utterly misses out on emotional stakes. Never fully developed is the sibling tension between Luke and Charlotte. What could be explored as a deep legacy left behind by their father feels rushed. While the group remorselessly hops from one clue to another — Rembrandt's paintings, submerged ships, and hidden tombs in Giza — the transient sense of plot discovery is replaced by monotonous step-by-step execution.
Even with the over-the-top CGI in the climax ripped off from The Last Crusade and mythological vagueness guiding the shambles of a plot, things look unsustainable. These moments evoke an oddly cold feeling, lacking story satisfaction and spectacle. Whether intending to heal, leave a legacy, or pursue something timeless, the opportunity feels distinctly evaporated.
Verdict for Fountain of Youth
I'll give this movie a solid 9/10⭐
In this era when there is so much content available, Fountain of the Youth is precisely what one would call a “streaming spectacle”: A well-made and well-acted movie, yet ultimately disposable. It has everything needed for a Saturday night watch: Exotic locations, an A-list cast, one-liners, fast-paced action, and everything in between, but sadly does not have anything unique or original to stand out from a sea of mediocre shows and movies.
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To make things worse, Fountain of Youth launched during the same weekend as Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. While Cruise’s franchise Triumphs due to its authenticity, practical stunts, and emotional continuity, Fountain of Youth feels more like a beautifully wrapped product instead of a story waiting to be told.
Nevertheless, light adventure fans with undeniable star power can enjoy this with a streaming-friendly runtime. These viewers may want to book their stars in advance, as this still is not something you would want to promote, and at the end of the day, this would do you no good if you are currently seeking that burst of energy to have you come running back for more.
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