21 Bridges (2019) movie review

Overview

The reviewer (Todd Gaines) opens by describing 21 Bridges as a setup that feels like a “Black Panther meets a crime thriller”—largely because the trailer leans heavily on the presence of the Russo brothers, giving it an MCU-adjacent vibe. However, the film ultimately plays out as a more straightforward Chadwick Boseman-led action/crime story.

Main Plot & Setup

• Chadwick Boseman stars as a top-tier detective whose father was killed in the line of duty when he was a child.
• That tragedy fuels his drive to become a cop, and he’s presented as nearly unstoppable—renowned for taking down bad guys and known for a record of justified killings.
• The stakes escalate quickly: eight cops are dead, and the situation demands immediate results.
• In response, the detective decides to effectively shut down Manhattan—the basis for the titular “21 bridges” concept—sparking a massive manhunt and chase.

Highlights (What Stands Out)

• Todd praises the film’s tight, well-directed action, crediting director Brian Kirk for delivering strong action despite being more known for TV than film.
• He also notes the movie can make viewers unsure who to “cheer for” at times. Not because the bad guys are especially likable, but because the tension makes it hard to want the chase to end too quickly—or for the wrong side to prevail.

Minor Criticisms / Possible Confusion

• The reviewer admits parts of the story may feel a little confusing, especially when certain characters appear briefly and then vanish.
• He suggests this may be due to editing that trims character development to keep momentum and prioritize continuous action.
• Still, he’s ultimately satisfied—he’d rather get a fast, fun action ride than a bloated runtime.

Performances & Reactions

• Sienna Miller earns a shout-out for stepping up as a narcotics officer who assists Boseman.
• J.K. Simmons is praised with a “does his thing” nod, implying a reliable, solid performance.
• Overall reaction: Todd calls it a fun action “popcorn flick” and says he had a blast watching it, recommending it to action fans.

Jokes / Standout Lines

Todd compares the experience to eating popcorn—“put some extra butter on it”—framing it as a playful way to underline the movie’s mainstream, entertaining action tone.

People Mentioned

• Todd Gaines (reviewer/narrator)
• Chadwick Boseman
• Brian Kirk (director)
• Russo brothers (producers)
• Sienna Miller
• J.K. Simmons