A romance novelist is kidnapped by a billionaire searching for a lost
​artifact, prompting the novelist's inept cover model to rescue her.

COMEDY

The Lost City (2022)

Directed by Aaron Nee and Adam Nee

Written by Oren Uziel, Dana Fox, Aaron Nee, Adam Nee

Starring Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe,
Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Oscar Nuñez, Brad Pitt

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Connor Eyzaguirre

March 27, 2022

8/10

I didn't have high expectations for The Lost City, but it ended up being quite a hilarious adventure comedy. It definitely borrows a lot from Romancing the Stone, which is one of the few beefs critics have with the film. But I think it's different enough to not call this film an unofficial remake. But I digress. The combined comedic talents of Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum, coupled with a funny villainous turn from Daniel Radcliffe and a steal-stealing cameo from Brad Pitt, make this a quirky, silly, adventure that's painfully predictable, but only in a good way.

Bullock plays Loretta Sage, a reclusive romance novelist whose archaeologist husband recently passed. Her latest novel is not a hit, but her cover model Alan (Tatum) still revels in the fame and attention he's gotten from the series. One day, Loretta is kidnapped by billionaire Abigail Fairfax (Radcliffe), who noticed her archaeological info in the book was actually accurate, and she is the only one who can help him find the mythical Crown of Fire in the Lost City of D, which turns out to be real. In the jungle, Loretta escapes after Alan tries to save her, and the two end up on a real-life Loretta Sage adventure. The best part of the film is when ex-Navy SEAL Jack Trainer (Pitt) actually saves Loretta, only to get a bullet to the head immediately. I saw it coming a mile away, but it was still funny as hell.

The Lost City could've been horrendous, but thanks to the comedic commitment by everyone involved, it becomes a delightful adventure comedy that could have franchise potential. I like that Channing Tatum has finally found his groove in comedy, and I like that Sandra Bullock has momentarily returned to comedy. They're great together. Here's hoping we also get to see Daniel Radcliffe play more unhinged bad guys.