There are dozens and dozens of ’90s movie characters that have become icons. Fans will quote them daily, dress as them for Halloween, and have generally elevated them to pop culture royalty status. Think of characters like Cher from Clueless, The Dude from The Big Lebowski, or Vincent and Jules from Pulp Fiction. This list is not about those characters. Instead, it’s about those characters that are just as equally charming, quirky, scary, or otherwise indelible that have somehow become forgotten through the passage of time.

These also-rans are played by some of the greatest actors of the era in films by eclectic and talented directors. The pictures themselves range from underrated gems to massive blockbuster successes, and yet none of these characters are as celebrated as they should be. These are ten of the greatest forgotten movie characters of the ’90s, unique figures worthy of your acknowledgment and praise.

10

Dusty (Philip Seymour Hoffman) in ‘Twister’ (1996)

Image via Warner Bros.

Character actors were eating well in the ’90s. Almost every action blockbuster featured an expanded supporting cast that was filled out by rising stars and supporting actor mainstays. The 1996 disaster thriller Twister was no different, and none of that film’s supporting characters are more colorful than Dusty, the excitable storm chaser played by the singular Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Before Hoffman became the preeminent talent and Oscar winner he was known as, and long before he tragically passed away too young, he was burning up the screen in supporting roles that roasted most of his higher-profile co-stars. Movies like Scent of a Woman, Boogie Nights and Patch Adams all benefited from Hoffman’s presence, and his boisterous, boundless energy made Dusty a lovable sidekick.

9

The Collector (Billy Zane) in ‘Demon Knight’ (1995)

Image via Universal Pictures

The ’90s were a transitional period for horror, and while the decade had its fair share of hits, it was absolutely overflowing with cult classics. Demon Knight, the inaugural feature film to come out of the spectacularly spooky horror television series Tales From the Crypt, is a solid midnight movie that can be loads of fun. A great deal of that fun comes from Billy Zane‘s performance as the movie’s supernatural big bad.

As the demon-leading villain who sets off a siege against the unfortunate residents of a boarding house, Zane completely understands the assignment. The ever-underrated actor vacillates between over-the-top theatrics and genuine, sinister villainy, and has a ball with all of it. Zane was one of the ’90s slimiest movie villains, best known for playing the rich and callous cuck in Titanic, and the Collector in Demon Knight gave him the opportunity to play with every weapon in his arsenal.

8

Drexl Spivey in ‘True Romance’ (1993)

Image via Warner Bros.

Gary Oldman was one of Hollywood’s favorite Brits to cast as villains in the ’90s, and several of those roles have deservedly become icons. From the titular performance in Bram Stoker’s Dracula to the pill-popping corrupt cop in The Professional, his place in the villain hall of fame is assured. Counted among those iconic heavies should be the dreadlocked drug dealer Drexl Spivey in the cult action classic True Romance.

Though he only features in a couple of scenes in the film, Spivey leaves a lasting impression thanks to some very memorable lines courtesy of screenwriter Quentin Tarantino and Oldman’s typically committed performance. It’s the biggest scene-stealing character in a film filled with scene-stealing characters, and a testament to Oldman’s admirable ability to make the most out of any role, screen time be damned.

7

Lawrence Woolsey (John Goodman) in ‘Matinee’ (1993)

Image via Universal Pictures

Matinee is Joe Dante‘s most personal movie. A nostalgia-tinged love letter to monster B-movies set during the Cuban Missile Crisis, it was well-reviewed but failed to make much impact at the box office, which is unfortunate because it’s a sweet and heartfelt coming-of-age story. At the center of it is John Goodman’s energetic performance as the fictional filmmaker Lawrence Woolsey.

A showman at heart, heavily inspired by the real-life filmmaker William Castle, Woolsey enjoys shocking audiences and loves a good gimmick. Far from a heartless huckster, though, he’s played with genuine warmth and charm by Goodman, who should have gotten more award notice for the performance. Alas, he’s never been nominated for an Oscar, and that is one of the most egregious oversights in Academy Awards history.

6

Amy Archer (Jennifer Jason Leigh) in ‘The Hudsucker Proxy’ (1994)

Image via Warner Bros.

The Coen Brothers have created a cavalcade of memorable characters, and their output in the ’90s was, without exception, character-driven heaven. The Hudsucker Proxy was a major failure for the filmmaking duo at the time, and remains one of their most underrated features, which is unfortunate because it features hilarious character work from Tim Robbins, Paul Newman, and, especially, Jennifer Jason Leigh.

As fast-talking news gal Amy Archer, Leigh channels the spirit of screwball comedy mavens Rosalind Russell and Katharine Hepburn. She’s quick with a quip and delivers her dialogue at warp speed, only slowing down when she gets her heart broken in this delightful confection of a film that homages Preston Sturges and Frank Capra. While some critics derided the performance and character as a broad caricature at the time, in retrospect, it’s been proven to be a performance of comedic precision and perfection.

5

Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp) in ‘Sleepy Hollow’ (1999)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Before his career devolved into personal drama and diminishing returns, Johnny Depp was a pretty reliable presence on screen, delivering some of the quirkiest leading man performances. His work with Tim Burton during the ’90s began with his iconic role as Edward Scissorhands, progressed through the Oscar-winning biopic Ed Wood, and culminated in the truly underrated Sleepy Hollow.

As Ichabod Crane, Depp is a one-man circus of idiosyncrasies. In the film’s version of the character, he’s a constable sent to investigate a series of murders in the titular town. He’s a character who values logic and reason over superstition, using a variety of forensic techniques to investigate. Ichabod is also prone to fainting and hysteria, with Depp eschewing any action hero characteristics, instead portraying Crane as if he were a frightened, fragile child.

4

Dolores Claiborne (Kathy Bates) in ‘Dolores Claiborne’ (1995)

When it comes to Kathy Bates and Stephen King, the character of Annie Wilkes, the obsessive fan in Misery, looms large. While that character rightly earned the actress an Academy Award, her titular role in another King adaptation, Dolores Claiborne, should be just as lauded. It’s a tense psychological drama about the bond between a mother and daughter and the trauma that tests it. Dolores may not be as colorful a character as Annie, and Bates’ performance may not be as showy, but it’s just as emotionally impactful, if not more so.

Set on a small Maine island, the film focuses on Dolores, whose involvement in the death of an elderly woman for whom she was the caretaker spurs a re-connection with her grown daughter, Vera, that reopens old wounds. Both mother and daughter were subject to abuse from Dolores’ husband, but while Dolores has lived with it and the repercussions of it, Vera has all but completely repressed her memories of it. Dolores Claiborne is one of King’s most heartfelt stories, and the lead character is one of the most fascinating and multidimensional in ’90s cinema. She’s brought to vivid life by Bates in a tour-de-force performance that has been overshadowed for far too long.

3

Ghost Dog (Forest Whitaker) in ‘Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai’ (1999)

Image via Artisan Entertainment

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One of the most idiosyncratic and underrated crime films of the ’90s, Jim Jarmusch‘s Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai focuses on a reclusive hit man who adheres to a strict warrior’s code while carrying out kills for the mob. While clearly indebted to crime films like Le Samouraï and Branded to Kill, it is distinctly a Jarmusch film in every way. Forest Whitaker‘s lead performance as the titular character is a brilliant depiction of the kind of quiet violence and strict morals often depicted in filmic assassins, but rarely ever as successfully as done here.

Whitaker has made a career out of playing characters who operate on both sides of the law, but are often colored in moral shades of grey as opposed to black and white. His quiet intensity and imposing figure have always served him well in these kinds of roles, but he wasn’t given proper award recognition until he fully inhabited Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland. Arguably, he should’ve gotten far more notice before then, particularly for Ghost Dog, who speaks far more softly but is just as compelling and capable of violence.

2

David Jason (Jeff Goldblum) in ‘Deep Cover’ (1992)

Image via New Line Cinema

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Jeff Goldblum‘s career in the ’90s is mostly defined by his eccentric performances in blockbusters like Jurassic Park and Independence Day, but his best performance, by far, came in the completely forgotten Bill Duke-directed crime film Deep Cover. It stars Laurence Fishburne as an undercover cop in the Los Angeles drug trade, where he meets Goldblum’s corrupt attorney and drug trafficker. Even when the film covers some familiar territory, it’s never anything less than immediately compelling thanks to the two lead performances.

Goldblum is dynamic as hell, playing a milquetoast character whose taste for the underworld only causes him to become greedier and more violently unhinged. It’s an especially astounding performance for anyone who generally only associates Goldblum with his more recent comedic persona. He gives layers to his character that make him alternatively sympathetic and deplorable, and it’s always fun to watch Goldblum go full dark.

1

Edgar (Vincent D’Onofrio) in ‘Men in Black’ (1997)

Image via Columbia Pictures

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Maybe it’s because of the diminishing returns of the sequels, or that the original film seems much smaller now in comparison to the career of its most major star, but Men in Black never gets enough credit for being such a clever, funny and perfectly executed blockbuster. It’s visually dynamic, has a great mix of practical and digital effects and, most of all, a terrific cast. Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are perfectly mismatched as odd couple partners, and the severely underutilized Linda Fiorentino gives tons of dimension in her supporting role. As for Vincent D’Onofrio, he should’ve won a damn Oscar for his brilliant villain performance.

As a giant alien bug wearing a local yokel’s skin as a suit, D’Onofrio’s work as Edgar is full-bodied. He walks and talks in a way that makes you fully believe there’s a 20-foot-tall cockroach inhabiting his body, and he’s scary, funny and weird in all the best ways. Edgar set a bar for future villains in the Men in Black franchise that none have come even close to touching, despite being played by some very talented actors. It’s a testament to how committed D’Onofrio is in the role, creating a blockbuster villain that has no real comparison, yet somehow is not continually listed among the greatest of all time.

Shaquille O’Neal
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Published
February 7, 2026
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Even on our most body-confident days, we don’t want all eyes on our midsections. That’s why we’ve been relying on muffin top-hiding clothes to draw eyes away from our stomachs and straight to our impeccable style! Indeed, with clever design tricks and slimming fits, these game-changing clothes reshape the visual focus, create smooth, slimming lines and let your style — not your tummy — stand out!

If you’re in pursuit of muffin top-disguising clothes, look no further than these 17 tops, sweaters, pants and jeans from retailers like Amazon, Quince and Nordstrom. These pieces do all the camouflaging work for you, whether it’s a wrap-waist sweater, boxy tee, high-waisted jeans, flowy trousers or another wardrobe essential. Now you’ll feel good about getting dressed — and look super stylish, too!

Timeless Fashion Staples to Disguise Muffin Top

1. Defined Waist: This slimming peplum sweater isn’t just great for hiding your midsection — it also brings fun and flair to a piece that sometimes looks and feels predictable.

2. Eyes On Style: Take attention off your tummy and show off your sultry style with a wrap‑waist sweater that highlights your figure in all the best ways.

3. Midsection Magic: We love how this ribbed cropped sweater defines your waist without clinging to any extra midsection bulge. It’s a clever design trick that works every time.

4. Oversized But Slimming: Don’t assume a relaxed‑fit sweater will make you look bigger. This loose crewneck falls in all the right areas without swallowing your shape or highlighting your tummy.

5. Y2K Energy: Bring back ’00s style in a babydoll top that hugs your bust and flares out without spotlighting your belly.

Related: 15 Flowy Winter Tops That’ll Skim Over Love Handles

If you’re on the hunt for tops that hide love handles that aren’t frumpy or forgettable, you’re in luck! Flowy winter tops are the best way to go, and there’s no better place to shop for fashionable options than Amazon, Nordstrom and Walmart! From flattering peplum tops to slimming empire-waist blouses and flowy button-downs, we’ve […]

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6. Boxed In: A trick we learned a long time ago: a boxy‑shaped tee is your best friend when you want a balanced, relaxed fit that doesn’t draw eyes to the middle of your body.

7. Slimming and Stylish: Direct eyes up in this head-turning tie-waist top that not only gives you a well-deserved dose of body confidence, but also a chic, mid-season wardrobe refresh.

8. No Fear Fabric: Silk has a reputation for highlighting problem areas, but this tie-neck top enlists a beautiful cut, loose drape and statement-making neckline to flatter your figure instead. Pair the silky piece with high-waisted trousers to elongate your silhouette.

9. Smocking Favorite: Our love for a slimming smocked top knows no end, and we’ve finally found a style that makes Us appreciate (and celebrate) curves in a whole new way.

10. High-Waist Fit: Hug your shape without showing off your midsection in high-waist, straight-leg jeans. They keep everything comfortable and stylish at the same time, and we also love the dramatic flair!

11. The Best Exception: Despite the slim cut, these Quince’s mid-rise jeans don’t make your midsection stand out at all. The stretchy‑but‑sleek construction works with your natural shape while also smoothing out your tummy.

12. Endless Support: These elastic‑waist jeans have magic infused into them: a hidden, tummy‑smoothing panel that supports your midsection without squeezing or showing through.

13. Comfort Zone: Paperbag-waist trousers — like this flowy pick — are an underrated staple for how well they sit above the muffin-top zone. The pretty bow and cinched waist don’t hurt either!

14. Supportive Feel: At first glance, it doesn’t seem like these fitted, pull‑on ponte pants would be a reliable tummy‑slimming trick. However, the structured fabric secretly smooths and slims without squeezing your shape.

15. Size Inclusive: These plus-size trousers’ flat front means you don’t have to mess with bulky buttons, unwieldy zippers or bulky pleats that add volume at the tummy.

16. Trending Style: We can’t stop swooning over Warp + Weft’s barrel leg pants — the slimming waistband follows your tummy’s natural curves so you don’t have to worry about digging into your midsection.

17. Weekend Uniform: On days when we want to take it easy but still look polished, we rely on these wide-leg yoga pants. The high‑rise fit to make our midsections look and feel like a total non‑issue.

In a shocking twist that has left both parents and police stunned, 23-year-old Yizel Juarez, a daycare teacher at The Learning Experience in St. Charles, Illinois, is at the heart of an investigation that’s raising eyebrows for all the wrong reasons. Now Juarez is facing charges that could make every parent think twice about leaving their child in someone else’s care.

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Daycare Teacher Allegedly Tricks Toddlers With ‘Candy’

The disturbing incident first came to light this week when parents noticed troubling symptoms in their toddlers, who were as young as 17 months old, after attending the daycare. Parents scrambled to understand what happened after reports surfaced that Yizel Juarez had allegedly given several toddlers suspicious treats at the daycare. Authorities later confirmed she had passed off chewable laxatives as candy. The result? A full-blown investigation into the actions of a teacher who, according to police, was trying to manage the stress of her job in the most irresponsible way possible.

Toddlers ‘Sick Out’ Scheme Sparks Police Investigation

On Tuesday morning, multiple parents reached out to the St. Charles Police Department after their children, all under the age of 2, exhibited concerning symptoms, including diarrhea and stomach discomfort. Police quickly responded and confirmed that Juarez had given the toddlers laxatives, reportedly to make them appear sick so they would go home early and relieve her own stress. After consulting with the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, authorities arrested Juarez and charged her with three counts of attempted aggravated battery causing bodily harm to a victim under 13, along with endangering a child’s health.

Parents Demand Answers After Daycare Shock

In an emotional interview with CBS affiliate WBBM, one parent recounted the experience of watching her 17-month-old suffer for weeks after taking the laxatives. “We thought it could have been a virus, and that was negative,” the mom shared. “We found out from the director that she had fired her employee because she allegedly was giving them these laxatives and saying that it was candy so that they could get sent home because she was overwhelmed,” the mother said. As police continue their investigation, parents wonder how someone entrusted with their children could betray that trust so shockingly.

Juarez turned herself in to police and was released while awaiting her court date. She also left the daycare reeling as parents demand answers and justice. The authorities are urging anyone with more information to come forward, as this case continues to unfold—leaving a dark shadow over the once-trusted daycare.

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By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 1 minute ago

When it comes to NuTrek, a common refrain from critics (myself included) is that Star Trek no longer feels like it did back in the golden days of shows like Deep Space Nine. However, a recent episode of Starfleet Academy, “Series Acclimation Mil,” proved that we cynics should be careful what we wish for. That’s because it recreated by accident the worst part of Deep Space Nine: combining an important, character-centric A Plot with one of the stupidest B Plots ever written.

First, a little context: back during the Golden Age of Star Trek, the writers generally included two main stories in any given episode. The most important story was designated the A Plot, while the less important story was designated the B Plot. This storytelling structure generally worked because it gave more of the ensemble cast something to do while giving viewers an additional story, one they might very well find more enjoyable than the main plot.

That Face When You See A Mistmatched B Plot

However, this storytelling method falls apart when the A Plot and the B Plot are completely mismatched, resulting in an episode that feels weirdly disjointed. Deep Space Nine had plenty of examples of this: in “Life Support,” the A Plot about Bashir’s attempt to revive one of Bajor’s most important spiritual leaders after his death is paired with a B Plot where Jake has to explain to Nog that he’s scaring the hoes with his constant Ferengi misogyny.

In “A Call To Arms,” the A Plot is the long-awaited invasion of the Dominion. The B Plot is about Rom and Leeta’s cringe-inducing, Casablanca-quoting wedding.

For me, the most mismatched Deep Space Nine episode of all time is “Doctor Bashir, I Presume?,” whose A Plot focuses on the revelation that Dr. Bashir is estranged from his parents because they “fixed” him with genetic engineering at a young age. It’s a powerfully moving episode about family trauma that completely changes our understanding of the main character. Unfortunately, it’s also an episode where the guy who created the Emergency Medical Hologram is desperate to get laid, and he’s set his sights on Leeta, who is written to be almost comically stupid.

Star Trek’s Most Ambitious New A Plot

So, what does all of this have to do with Starfleet Academy? The recent episode “Series Acclimation Mil” had an ambitious A plot about cadet SAM investigating Sisko’s final fate; her research helps her (and viewers) learn more about Sisko’s accomplishments, his personality, and the titanic legacy he left behind. Along the way, we get cameos from big names like Jake Sisko and the latest incarnation of Dax, all while SAM learns more about what it means to be an emissary from her holographic homeworld to the Federation.

Unfortunately (and somewhat inexplicably), it’s paired with a B plot about Chancellor Ake trying to help Commander Nelrec prepare to host a visiting dignitary. To do this, she throws a rehearsal dinner, which is mostly an excuse for everyone but Nelrec to crack bizarre jokes and engage in prop comedy (no, really). The climax to this scene is a fish suddenly deflating, and the three other officers (who have about 1500 years of combined wisdom between them all) start uncontrollably laughing about the fish making prolonged farting noises.

Shaka, When The Rest Of The Episode Is Silly

It’s wildly unfunny and almost distractingly weird, but the bonkers B Plot is of a piece with the rest of the episode. After all, in between hugely important lore drops about Sisko, we’ve got cadets vomiting glitter and the ship’s digital dean making jokes about morning wood. As a viewer who was more or less enjoying all of the Sisko-related fan service, I was a bit shocked that the episode kept dipping into humor that would be more in line with a show like Beavis and Butt-Head.

However, in a bit of almost certainly unintentional irony, “Series Acclimation Mill” managed to honor the worst part of Deep Space Nine, and that’s pairing a powerful A Plot with the stupidest B Plot the writers could come up with. This makes for frustrating storytelling, of course, but this practice was absolutely rampant during the Golden Age of Star Trek. Starfleet Academy has now proven it knows how to do what DS9 did so poorly; with any luck, these newer writers will eventually be able to channel what DS9 did so well, which was to tell great stories without the absolutely embarrassing crutch of d*ck and fart jokes.

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Published
February 7, 2026
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It’s been a rough start to the year for Gerard Butler, who reprised his role as John Garrity in the sci-fi sequel, Greenland 2: Migration. The film is shaping up to be one of Butler’s biggest financial misfires, which comes right behind the biggest box office hit of his career. One of 2025’s biggest summer blockbusters came in the form of the live-action How to Train Your Dragon movie, which grossed over $600 million globally to become Butler’s highest-grossing film. It also had a successful run on PVOD charts before it began streaming on Peacock, but now the film has secured a home on the world’s biggest streaming service.

The live-action How to Train Your Dragon movie is still streaming on Peacock, but Netflix has announced that the film will join its streaming library next week, on February 10. It’s unclear at this time if it will also leave Peacock when it arrives on Netflix, but it’s expected to become one of Netflix’s biggest sleeper hits in the coming weeks. In addition to Gerard Butler reprising his animated role as Stoick, the live-action How to Train Your Dragon also stars Mason Thames as Hiccup, Nico Parker as Astrid, Nick Frost as Gobber, Julian Dennison as Fishlegs, and Gabriel Howell as Snotlout.

What makes the timing of this acquisition even more exciting is that the live-action sequel to How to Train Your Dragon is picking up steam to start the year. Not only is the film now in production, as confirmed by director Dean DeBlois, but it’s also been confirmed that Cate Blanchett will reprise her role as Stoick’s wife and Hiccup’s mother, Valka, in the film. Ted Lasso’s Phil Dunster has also replaced Kit Harington as Eret in the film.

When Does ‘How To Train Your Dragon 2’ Come Out?

The sequel to Gerard Butler’s live-action How to Train Your Dragon movie will be released in theaters on June 11, 2027. Production on the film is now underway, and it’s expected to wrap over the summer, giving the post-production team roughly a year to make sure the film is polished enough to be ready for release. Like the first live-action film, Dean DeBlois wrote the script and is directing, and it’s expected to once again be a shot-for-shot remake.

Be sure to watch How to Train Your Dragon when it hits Netflix on February 10, and stay tuned to Collider for more streaming updates.

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Release Date

June 13, 2025

Runtime

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125 minutes

Director

Dean DeBlois

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Writers

Dean DeBlois

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Producers

Marc Platt, Adam Siegel, Dean DeBlois

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• 

  Mason Thames

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  Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III

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  Nico Parker

  Astrid Hofferson

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By Jennifer Asencio
| Published 13 seconds ago

The Wrecking Crew teams Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista in a brotherly buddy movie whose trailer promises lots of explosions and great one-liners, kind of like the action heroes of 80s and 90s classics. It’s a rare streaming entry that actually delivers on that promise.

Momoa and Bautista play half-brothers James and Johnny, who share a father and a complicated past. Their father is killed in a hit-and-run accident, bringing the prodigal Johnny back to the family fold in Oahu, Hawaii, to at least investigate why the Yakuza visited his Oklahoma home. The brothers don’t see eye to eye, and James isn’t quite convinced their father was murdered, while Johnny is sure the Yakuza were involved.

Johnny is a cop, and James trains Navy SEALs, so both men know how to handle themselves as they begin to uncover a plot that threatens their Hawaiian home. A maze of Hawaiian gangsters, Yakuza hitmen, and elite security stands between them and the truth. As the brothers get closer to finding out about their father’s death and sorting out their own tangled relationship, they leave behind them an ever-increasing trail of destruction that will rock Oahu.

Classic Action Stars In The Modern Era

James and Johnny are classic action stars who recall the mayhem of classics like Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, or Commando. Almost every scene moves things along by leaving more questions than answers and inviting fights, explosions, car chases, and intrigue. As they try to solve the mystery, the brothers struggle to deal with each other, the memory of a dismissive father, and the threat to their families from the events they’ve been drawn into.

These two men are not the passive heroes of modern movies. They are manly men, dripping masculinity in every scene. They deal with their emotions as men (despite James’s wife being a child psychologist), and they solve their problems like action heroes: by beating the crap out of them, including each other.

The Wrecking Crew exhibits its leads as men, dressed in clothing that shows off the muscles of both actors, particularly Momoa. The Hawaiian setting gives them plenty of opportunity to wear things like Hawaiian shirts and tank tops, and no opportunity is wasted to show off the two actors to their best advantage.

However, as macho a movie as it is, the women are not weeping violets. They know who their men are, but they also do their part to help uncover the plot through their own ingenuity and agency. Morena Baccarin co-stars as Johnny’s love interest, whose scene in the movie’s trailer during one of the car chases does not do justice to her actual performance in the full sequence.

Every Trope Of The Genre In One Explosive Car Chase Scene

The Wrecking Crew’s action swings between well-choreographed melee and gun fights and frenetic car chases that raise the stakes every time, highlighted by cinematography that brings us along for the ride. Two skirmishes take place in a windowed hallway that reminded me of the “House of Blue Leaves” fight in Kill Bill Vol. 1. One car chase invokes every single trope of the genre, then amplifies them into an explosive crescendo. Don’t look away, because there are tons of visual cues that connect each scene to the next.

Part of the amazing visuals is the fact that Hawaii itself is made a character through the use of camera angles and imagery. Oahu, where the story takes place, is always present, from scenic drone shots to dramatic beach scenes and major action sequences. In specifically strategic shot, a prominent mountain peak is framed between the two leads, reminding viewers that Hawaii is always over their shoulders.

Maia Kealoha Redeems Herself In A Movie That’s Actually About Ohana

The Wrecking Crew also features True Blood’s Stephen Root and Frankie Adams of The Expanse, as well as Jacob Batalon, known for the Tom Holland Spider-Man movies and pretty much cast to type. Young Maia Kealoha, who played Lilo in Disney’s live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch, steals the show in almost every scene she’s in and hints at a promising career as an actress; at any rate, it’s nice to see Lilo get to be in a movie that is actually about ohana, or families sticking together, after the disappointment of her other major film.

If there is anything wrong with The Wrecking Crew, it’s a short period of investigation in the middle of the film that seems to drag on, especially compared to the intense pace of the rest of the movie. This part only lasts about 15-20 minutes, though, and then we’re thrust right back into adventure and excitement.

An Unapologetically Masculine Film

The Wrecking Crew is unapologetically masculine while exhibiting an emotional depth that doesn’t reduce its leads into weeping sissies. These men of action deal with things in very male ways without shame while never slipping into today’s tropes about “toxic masculinity.” They suffer and are not invulnerable, either physically or emotionally, but ultimately, they are men of honor doing what men do to protect their families.

The Wrecking Crew has found a way to give audiences what they’ve been missing: a compelling story, a cast of characters we can all aspire to be, and an old-fashioned battle between good and evil. Once you’re on this wild ride, you’re not getting off until the credits roll.

The Wrecking Crew is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.