In an era where every conceivable intellectual property gets the big-screen treatment, from video games to theme park rides, it was only a matter of time before the humble Matchbox car rolled into theaters. Apple TV's Matchbox: The Movie attempts to turn those iconic miniature vehicles into a star-studded action spectacle, but the result is a film that feels as disposable as a plastic toy that breaks on Christmas morning.
Directed by Sam Hargrave, known for the Extraction franchise, Matchbox: The Movie assembles a formidable cast, including John Cena, Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, and Danai Gurira. Yet, despite the talent on screen, the movie never shifts out of first gear, delivering a formulaic plot that could have been lifted from any straight-to-streaming action flick.
A Promising Premise That Fizzles
The film opens in the late 1990s, introducing us to a group of Ohio teenagers who call themselves the Matchbox gang. They spend their days in a garage owned by Aimee's (Reagan Marum) uncle (Bill Camp), playing with his collection of toy cars. Among them is Sean Walker (Graham Harvey), who harbors a crush on Aimee. When she jokes that she'd love anyone who gives her a vintage 1969 Chevy Camaro, Sean gets her a Matchbox version—but loses his nerve at the last moment.
This nostalgic setup is quickly abandoned as the story jumps to the present. Sean (now played by Cena) is a CIA agent tasked with delivering a nuclear warhead, which promptly goes missing. A tragedy forces him back to Ohio, where he reunites with his old friends—Aimee (Biel), Crosby (Richardson), Charmaine (Teyonah Parris), and Ted (Arturo Castro)—only to be taken hostage and blamed for the theft. What follows is a predictable mix of shootouts, car chases, and fish-out-of-water comedy as the group tries to clear their names.
Generic Script, Wasted Potential
The script, penned by David Coggenshall, is painfully generic. The characters are cardboard cutouts: Sean is the stoic hero, Aimee is the love interest with a troubled past, and the friends are comic relief. We spend so little time with them in the past that we have no emotional investment in their present-day plight. The dialogue is often clunky, and the attempts at humor fall flat more often than they land.
Hargrave's direction is competent, and the action sequences are technically well-executed, but they lack any real stakes. The heroes are invincible, dodging bullets and surviving explosions with ease. In one scene, a character's leg is set on fire for thirty seconds, only for them to walk it off as if it were a minor inconvenience. This implausibility might be tolerable if the action were thrilling, but it's all so by-the-numbers that it becomes numbing.
Cena's Charisma Is Wasted
John Cena has proven time and again that he's more than just a muscle-bound action star. From his comedic turn in Trainwreck to his villainous role in Coyote vs. Acme, he's shown range and charisma. But Matchbox: The Movie reduces him to a bland, serious action hero, a regression to his early film career. It's a disservice to his talents and a missed opportunity to inject some personality into the film.
The supporting cast does what they can with the material. Sam Richardson, in particular, shines as the comic relief, bringing his signature charm to every scene. But even he can't save a script that gives him little to work with. Jessica Biel, Danai Gurira, and Teyonah Parris are all wasted in underwritten roles.
For those looking for a mindless action movie, Matchbox: The Movie might pass the time, but it's unlikely to leave a lasting impression. It's a far cry from the imaginative play that the toy cars inspired in generations of children. If you're in the mood for a better action-comedy, you might want to check out our list of the best action movies since 2020 instead.
In the end, Matchbox: The Movie is a missed opportunity to do something creative with a beloved toy brand. It's a film that should have stayed in the box, unopened and forgotten.
