Guy Ritchie's "Fountain of Youth" (2025) arrived on screens this May 23rd, promising a globe-trotting adventure with a star-studded cast. Written by James Vanderbilt, the film attempts to capture the spirit of classic treasure-hunting escapades, starring John Krasinski as the adventurous Luke Purdue and Natalie Portman as his more strait-laced sister, Charlotte. Backed by the seemingly benevolent, cancer-stricken billionaire Owen Carver (Domhnall Gleeson), the estranged siblings embark on a perilous quest for the mythical Fountain of Youth, following clues hidden in stolen historic paintings. They are pursued by the mysterious Esme (Eiza González), a protector of the Fountain, and Interpol Inspector Jamal Abbas (Arian Moayed). Produced by Apple TV+, this "Fountain of Youth movie" certainly delivers on spectacle, whisking audiences from bustling Bangkok to the ancient wonders of the Pyramids of Giza.
Genre:Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery
The film kicks off with the kind of high-octane energy synonymous with Guy Ritchie, throwing viewers into a frantic car and bike chase through Bangkok, swiftly followed by a train sequence and a London heist. This relentless pacing is both a strength and, at times, a detriment. It ensures that the "action" rarely lets up, with "fisticuffs or gunplay" unleashed consistently, often feeling like Ritchie's own version of rapid-fire banter. The cinematography by Ed Wild is often striking, employing "focus shifts and whip-pans" that add a distinct visual flair to the proceedings. The use of genuine "country-hopping locations," including Vienna, Bangkok, London, and the pyramids of Giza, is a major plus, immersing the audience in the grand scale of the adventure. One particular highlight is the audacious sequence involving the raising of the RMS Lusitania from the ocean floor – a truly impressive and "incredible shipwreck deep-dive" that stands out as a genuine set piece. Later, the exploration within the "pyramids" themselves delivers a thrilling sense of discovery, complete with a worrying number of stairs and plenty of gunfights.
However, "Fountain of Youth" isn't without its quirks. While the film attempts to channel the "Indiana Jones franchise," particularly "Last Crusade," and echoes of "The Mummy" and "National Treasure" are evident, it struggles to fully forge its own identity. A significant point of contention for me is the central casting of "John Krasinski" and "Natalie Portman." Krasinski plays Luke Purdue with a "smarmy-doofus quality" that sometimes veers into "smug" territory, struggling to convince as the rugged, "cocky, fortune-and-glory hunter" type. He often feels miscast, too "nice to be believable" in the role, and his "banter" with Portman sometimes feels forced. Portman, while bringing a "bit of verve" to Charlotte, is often relegated to "shaky dialogue" as the "skeptical naysayer," constantly questioning motives and lamenting her divorce. Their sibling dynamic, while intentionally contentious, often comes across as more irritating than engaging.
The script, attributed to James Vanderbilt, is "oddly complicated" and at times "muddled" or "mostly convoluted." It has a tendency to verbally describe what's already happening, clarify plot points, and over-explain character backstories, which can feel somewhat redundant given the visual nature of the film. This narrative approach sometimes makes the film feel less like a cinematic experience and more like "second-screen entertainment," designed to be half-watched rather than fully absorbed. Despite the film's attempts at a "modest witticism hit rate," the dialogue can feel "dull or dreadful," with actors seemingly "trying to spice up the lines" with awkward pauses.
However, where "Fountain of Youth" truly shines are its supporting performances. Eiza González as Esme and Arian Moayed as Inspector Jamal Abbas are definite stand-outs. González is "assured and beguiling" as the "mysterious badass" protector, bringing a compelling intensity to her character and a thrilling charge to her adversarial relationship with Luke. Moayed's Abbas, a "London cop" with a penchant for Sherlock Holmes, exudes "easygoing complexity" and a subtle charm, often stealing scenes with his nuanced portrayal. Both actors seem to "fully understand the kind of movie that they're in" and inject much-needed personality into the narrative. Domhnall Gleeson, as Owen Carver, also delivers a performance that, while in a "thin role," is "having fun."
The film's final third, particularly the exploration within the pyramid, improves significantly. This section is "mostly talk-free" and allows the visuals and tension to take center stage, reminiscent of classic "Indiana Jones films and their imitators." It's here that Ritchie's direction truly excels, with "digitally enhanced or created images that feel real" due to his chosen perspectives.
In conclusion, "Fountain of Youth" (2025) is a mixed bag, yet one that largely succeeds in its ambition to be an entertaining "treasure-hunting action-adventure film." It's a "bombastic filmmaking" experience with a "little bit of something for everyone", and for all its faults, it feels like a genuine attempt at the kind of "non-IP star-studded adventure film that we've been clamoring for." While it may not reach the heights of its inspirations, or necessarily warrant a big screen release for what is essentially "streaming content", it provides a perfectly "watchable movie designed to keep you entertained for two hours on a rainy Sunday afternoon." It's a fun ride that, despite some missteps in casting and dialogue, benefits from Ritchie's energetic direction and strong supporting performances, ultimately proving to be a worthwhile watch for fans of the genre.