Bloody buddy cop flick features crazy fights, unexpected heart

Jason Momoa. Dave Bautista.

Two big kahunas make for one big, bad team thrust into even bigger action in "The Wrecking Crew."

Although they don't start out on the same team, estranged half-brothers James (Bautista) and Jonny (Momoa) Hale (Hawaiian, pronounced "hah-leh") are reunited when their father meets a mysterious and suspicious demise.

James is a hard-drinking, devil-may-care reservation cop on suspension in Oklahoma, where his romance with Valentina (Morena Baccarin) is on the rocks. He hasn't spoken to his brother in years, and wrote off his dad Walter (Brian L. Keaulana) years ago. While having a sparsely clad wallow, his pity party is rudely interrupted by Japanese mafia members who believe Jonny has something they want.

This unexpected Yakuza visit — and a call from Leila (Roimata Fox), the sister-in-law he's never met — call the rough-and-tumble Jonny home to Hawaii, where trouble follows him every step of the way.

The reunion with his Navy Seal big brother is tense and cynical, sometimes giving viewers a glimpse into the past trauma and pain experienced by these two brothers from different mothers.

Separately, they gather clues about their father's death until their paths cross, when they reluctantly join forces and pick up a hilarious but helpful sidekick, Pika (Jacob Batalon), along the way. The plot thickens and the action ignites when Valentina enters the picture and literally takes the wheel.

"Wrecking Crew" skews to the predictable with its archetypal baddies: Ninja-like foot and motorcycle soldiers who often choose blades over guns for some reason, a black-hearted billionaire who couldn't care less about destroying Hawaiian homeland (Marcus Robichaux, played by Claes Bang), corrupt politicians bought off by said billionaire. Then there's the questionable Detective Rennert, who is clearly annoyed by Jonny and James' vigilante tactics and, um, inability to not get into aforementioned high-speed chases that lead to stuff blowing up. Man those Yakuza are everywhere!

The brotherly chirping and chiding lead to hysterical exchanges between James and Jonny, whose story of separation and abandonment is actually quite touching. It's not often an action movie with explosions and excessive violence can move audiences to tears, but this one does tug the heart strings at times.

Oh yes, the violence. "Wrecking Crew" is rated R for a reason. While the fight sequences are fantastic for adrenaline junkies, some are downright gory, with limbs being released from bodies and heads being erased on the pavement during high-speed chases. The raunch and naughty humor are accompanied by no small amount of profanity, so sensitive ears be warned. But for those who don't mind seeing a cheese grater remove dermal layers from a bad guy's arm, they probably won't mind too much if a film is riddled with F-bombs.

A few annoyances lie within heavy plot armor and the whole "bad guy explains his plot while giving plenty of time for someone to get away or take him out" bit, but overall "Wrecking Crew" is an exciting ride in a beautiful paradise with unexpected heart.

Can't wait to see Momoa and Bautista together again if this flick gets a sequel. Next time let's invite Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and John Cena join the punching party!

"The Wrecking Crew" is now streaming on Amazon Prime.

    Jason Momoa, left, and Dave Bautista pose for photographers upon arrival at the screening for the film "The Wrecking Crew" in London, Jan. 22, 2026.