(L to R) Natalie Portman and John Krasinski in ‘Fountain of Youth,’ premiering Might 23, 2025 on Apple TV+.
‘Fountain of Youth’ receives 5.5 out of 10 stars.
On Apple TV+ on Might twenty third is ‘Fountain of Youth,’ a brand new journey film that finds a brother-sister duo looking for the mythological, titular water provide and is directed by Man Ritchie (‘Aladdin’).
John Krasinski, Natalie Portman and Eiza González star within the new film alongside Domhnall Gleeson (‘Ex Machina’), Laz Alonso (‘The Boys’), Carmen Ejogo (‘Selma’) and Arian Moayed (‘Succession’).
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Preliminary Ideas
John Krasinski in ‘Fountain of Youth,’ premiering Might 23, 2025 on Apple TV+.
There was a time within the Nineteen Nineties when big-name actors might be tempted exterior their ordinary makes an attempt to win awards with difficult dramatic work and have some enjoyable showing in rip-roaring adventures after historic artifacts, dodging life-threatening peril and buying and selling quips.
And earlier than that, the Eighties introduced us all method of satisfying throwback adventures, led by the immaculately directed delights of the ‘Indiana Jones’ franchise. Nowadays, the style tends to paddle within the shallow finish of straight-to-home leisure releases or, as within the case of ‘Fountain of Youth,’ streaming.
However can this new providing reside as much as that grand custom?
Script and Course
(L to R) Director Man Ritchie and star John Krasinski behind-the-scenes of ‘Fountain of Youth,’ premiering Might 23, 2025 on Apple TV+.
A giant difficulty with the brand new film lies in its script. Crafted by James Vanderbilt, whose profession has swung wildly between the acclaimed likes of ‘Zodiac,’ the enjoyable motion nonsense of ‘White Home Down’ and misbegotten misfires together with ‘Independence Day: Resurgence,’ this new ‘Fountain’ sputters greater than it ought to.
Vanderbilt cobbles collectively a mix of the aforementioned Indy franchise entries, the extra high-tech and fight-orientated world of ‘Mission: Inconceivable’ and the “path to one thing necessary hidden inside esoterica” plot gasoline of Dan Brown.
But it’s not a mix that all the time works. Sure, there are the requisite globe-trotting motion sequences, a couple of moments of entertaining banter for the leads and naturally some twists and turns, however it’s all so off the peg, an uncomfortable patchwork of seen-it-before wannabe thrills and fortunate escapes.
It’s all very nicely to try to stand on the shoulders of giants –– we see you, veiled reference to Physician Jones within the title of Krasinski and Portman’s characters’ title: Harrison Purdue –– however you need to have one thing innovate in alternate. This new outing doesn’t ever hit that stride.
What number of occasions can our heroes locate their newest clue, solely to be ambushed by their antagonists, after which flip issues round for a fortunate (and a couple of occasion, logic-defying) escape? If the proof of ‘Fountain of Youth’ is to be believed, it’s many extra occasions than is plausible, and certainly all of it turns into tiring by the top.
(L to R) Natalie Portman, Benjamin Chivers, John Krasinski, Domhnall Gleeson and Michael Epp in ‘Fountain of Youth,’ premiering Might 23, 2025 on Apple TV+.
Man Ritchie, in the meantime, has been a genre-hopping directorial journeyman for a while now, however appears to flourish when he’s given full reign to embrace his violent, jokey model as seen in latest Netflix collection ‘The Gents.’
Right here, it’s as if he’s working with child gloves on; whereas he’s definitely produced efficient, family-friendly materials up to now, it is a poor instance of him firming himself down. A number of of the set items are strong with some diverting stunts, however all in all, it is a blandly clockwork chore.
Forged and Performances
(L to R) Natalie Portman, John Krasinski, Domhnall Gleeson, Carmen Ejogo and Laz Alonso in ‘Fountain of Youth,’ premiering Might 23, 2025 on Apple TV+.
When you can completely think about John Krasinski seeing this as strong extension to his nice-guy-turned-action-hero model after years spent enjoying Jack Ryan, the character of treasure hunter Luke Purdue solely typically works to his strengths.
Krasinski definitely doesn’t lack for charisma and he sells a number of the cheesier traces; he’s additionally respectable in the case of the motion (once more, partly due to his time as Ryan).
And when he and Natalie Portman are buying and selling sibling barbs, the film feels prefer it extra lives as much as its promise, the pair sharing some entertaining on-screen household chemistry.
Portman is a extra stunning performer to point out up in a film like this, although we think about the enchantment of getting enjoyable on set with Krasinski and a strong Apple-backed payday might be extra the explanation she took the gig reasonably than one thing she noticed within the script.
Eiza González in ‘Fountain of Youth,’ premiering Might 23, 2025 on Apple TV+.
Because the third principal character, Eiza González does simply sufficient to make her comparatively inventory badass character watchable –– she’s additionally efficient in the case of the motion, however as one of many “protectors” trying to cease Luke on his mission for seemingly noble causes, it’s not all the time sufficient to beat a generic function.
Likewise Domhnall Gleeson, who has little to do as Owen Carver, the ailing wealthy mogul bankrolling Luke’s search. Gleeson has a few moments, however it’s largely a waste of an honest actor.
Nonetheless, he comes off higher than Laz Alonso and Carmen Ejogo, who play Murph and Deb, Luke’s assist group. They’re principally there to ship the exposition, and that’s often supplied in large, ungainly lumps round tables.
Past a couple of memorable moments as pushed Interpol agent Abbas, Arian Moayed likewise is given little likelihood to shine.
Last Ideas
(L to R) John Krasinski, Domhnall Gleeson and Natalie Portman in ‘Fountain of Youth,’ premiering Might 23, 2025 on Apple TV+.
Does ‘Fountain of Youth’ hold the flame of enjoyable journey films from the Eighties and Nineteen Nineties burning? Not likely.
It is a less-than-thrilling instance of the style which definitely begins promisingly and has a couple of respectable traces or moments right here and there (followers of ‘Knight Rider’ is perhaps joyful at one, and no, we don’t imply The Hoff reveals up), however it’s not sufficient to maintain it from feeling stale.
You may definitely watch this. However you’d select… poorly.
“The very best secrets and techniques are the toughest to seek out.”
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2 hr 6 minMight twenty second, 2025
What’s the story of ‘Fountain of Youth’?
The brand new film follows two estranged siblings (John Krasinski and Natalie Portman) who accomplice on a worldwide heist to seek out the mythological Fountain of Youth.
They need to use their information of historical past to comply with clues on an epic journey that can change their lives… and presumably result in immortality.
Who’s within the solid of ‘Fountain of Youth’?
- John Krasinski as Luke Purdue
- Natalie Portman as Charlotte Purdue
- Eiza González as Esme
- Domhnall Gleeson as Owen Carver
- Laz Alonso as Patrick “Murph” Murphy
- Arian Moayed as Inspector Jamal Abbas
- Carmen Ejogo as Deb McCall
- Stanley Tucci as The Elder
- Benjamin Chivers as Thomas
(L to R) Eiza González, John Krasinski and Natalie Portman in ‘Fountain of Youth,’ premiering Might 23, 2025 on Apple TV+.