Movie Review: Polar

Netflix's eternally deep pockets grants them the freedom to take risks that their theatrical-focused competitors can't afford to make. Dedicating a relatively sizable amount of these resources to the underserved world of B-movies has been among the more unconventional strategies they've employed since they started heavily investing in their original film division back in early 2017. While these titles aren't likely going to challenge the mammoth view counts of their more accessible fare (Bird Box, Bright, The Kissing Booth), the streaming juggernaut's tendency to avoid expansive marketing campaigns combined with the genre's extensive history of titles gaining notoriety through word-of-mouth makes this niche movement a perfect fit for their platform. Their latest foray into the seedy underbelly of cinema is Polar, a hard-R graphic novel adaptation that wears its nihilistic excess as a badge of honor.

You'll more than likely know by the time the title card is shown whether or not Polar is for you. This is the type of movie where relentless sex, violence, sick humor and general anarchy are tightly weaved into a hyperactive two hour package that's essentially begging for a strong visceral reaction. If that description didn't make you roll your eyes or turn up your nose in disgust, then you should definitely consider adding this proudly over-the-top actioner to your watchlist.

While its tonal inconsistencies and relative lack of laugh-out-loud moments prevent it from matching the demented genius of Shoot Em' Up and the Crank series, Polar remains a largely confident and well-crafted piece of exploitation. The frequent action scenes and very simple plot centered around a nearly 50-year old hitman (Mads Mikkelsen) whose being hunted down by his employers (Matt Lucas, Katheryn Winnick) so they don't have to pay him the $8 million they owe him upon his upcoming retirement are staged with a pretty ideal amount of freneticism. The story has a great sense of momentum and each cartoonish shootout possesses the constant quick cuts that this genre is known for without ever descending into indecipherable chaos.

Like any quality grimefest, the secret weapon underneath all of Polar's stylish carnage is its cast. Mikkelsen is a stoic badass protagonist, Lucas establishes himself as the embodiment of this absurd criminal underworld with a hilarious performance as the primary villain and Vanessa Hudgens' sensitive turn as a neighbor of Mikkelsen's character who struggles with PTSD stemming from a horrific childhood incident makes the more serious moments far less jarring than they could've been. There's enough issues with the script that a less committed group of actors could've further exploited, so kudos to this ensemble for helping this project reach its potential.

Polar scratched a very particular itch that had been ignored since Hardcore Henry shot onto the scene nearly 3 years ago. Hopefully Netflix retains their commitment to releasing B-movies because a few projects in this gruesomely entertaining, tongue-in-cheek mold every year would warm my trash action-addicted heart.
         
Grade: B