The Union (2024 film) Watch on 123films

The Union (2024 film) Watch on 123films

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Director Julian Farino’s “The Union” tells the story of Mike (Mark Wahlberg), a construction worker who enjoys his simple life filled with bar nights with friends and a quirky romance with his former seventh-grade teacher, which serves as a running joke throughout the film. When his first love, Roxanne (Halle Berry), unexpectedly reappears after years apart, Mike thinks he’s in for a nostalgic reunion, but it quickly escalates into a high-stakes international intelligence mission.

A group of hackers has compromised the personal data of government employees across the Western world, including military personnel, police officers, and FBI agents. Agent Roxanne, along with her no-nonsense boss Tom (J.K. Simmons), is leading the charge to recover the stolen information before it falls into the wrong hands. Their organization, The Union, is a covert government agency similar to the CIA, seeking out street-smart, everyday individuals who typically go unnoticed. Roxanne kidnaps Mike from New Jersey and brings him to London, recruiting him for this critical mission because, as she puts it, “He’s a nobody.” Unfortunately, this shaky premise sets the stage for a film that feels equally underdeveloped.
There’s no driving force when it comes to the characters. We suspend disbelief that Mike would be remotely interested in this life-threatening operation for which he has no true technical skills solely out of nostalgic romance and maybe a hint of patriotic duty (the latter of which is not far off but assumed more for Wahlberg’s habitual social sentiments than anything in-script). On paper, the plot seems to be the sole consideration of the film, while character development and world-building this criminal underbelly falls to the wayside.
Everything about “The Union” is painstakingly familiar. Wahlberg kicks back and lounges comfortably in his habitual role: a laid back, kinda cocky east coaster who juggles punchlines and machismo. Berry, who is fully capable of being a compelling action star, (most recently in the third installment of the John Wick franchise), attempts her best with the film’s shoddy script. “The Union” hits bullet points on its outline with an overwhelming sense of tired obligation and stunted creativity. Its leads have no chemistry and being that their will-they-won’t-they serves as the story’s main attempt at depth, the emotive capabilities of the film sputter and shut down.

The Union (2024 film) Watch on 123films

Director Julian Farino’s “The Union” tells the story of Mike (Mark Wahlberg), a construction worker who enjoys his simple life filled with bar nights with friends and a quirky romance with his former seventh-grade teacher, which serves as a running joke throughout the film. When his first love, Roxanne (Halle Berry), unexpectedly reappears after years apart, Mike thinks he’s in for a nostalgic reunion, but it quickly escalates into a high-stakes international intelligence mission.

A group of hackers has compromised the personal data of government employees across the Western world, including military personnel, police officers, and FBI agents. Agent Roxanne, along with her no-nonsense boss Tom (J.K. Simmons), is leading the charge to recover the stolen information before it falls into the wrong hands. Their organization, The Union, is a covert government agency similar to the CIA, seeking out street-smart, everyday individuals who typically go unnoticed. Roxanne kidnaps Mike from New Jersey and brings him to London, recruiting him for this critical mission because, as she puts it, “He’s a nobody.” Unfortunately, this shaky premise sets the stage for a film that feels equally underdeveloped.

1. "The Union" struggles to find its footing, resulting in a jarring experience that fails to excel in either action or comedy. While there are a few standout moments that quicken the pace, the overall action feels lackluster and fails to deliver any real thrills. The film's flow is hindered by excessive exposition and half-hearted world-building, making the 105-minute runtime feel like a slog.

The attempts at humor often elicit more eye-rolls and mild chuckles than genuine laughter. Most of the jokes land with the impact of a deflated balloon, and as time goes on, it becomes increasingly clear that the script leans heavily on cheap gags. "The Union" ultimately feels forgettable and uninspired, lacking the charm and excitement needed to engage its audience, relying instead on a lackluster script and star power that isn't enough to lift it.