Nicholas Cage and Pedro Pascal lead the meta-film directed and written by Tom Gormican. The trio lead an entertaining and original story that often goes in unexpected directions. Set in beautiful Spain, the film features strong acting, a funny script, with an original story that is designed for all audiences.
The actors, Cage and Pascal in particular, really nail their performances. Cage plays an eccentric, selfish version of himself and a wild younger version of himself. Both portrayals are consistently entertaining. Pascal plays the eccentric billionaire and star-struck super fan, Javi. They have surprisingly amazing chemistry. They seamlessly pull off the various twists and turns. Tiffany Haddish, Ike Barinholtz, Neil Patrick Harris, Sharon Horgan, and Lily Sheen all turn in comical performances. Paco Leon turns in a particularly hilarious performance as Javi's eccentric, menacing cousin.
I use the word eccentric multiple times because the film seems to celebrate and poke at the eccentricities and excess of Cage's filmography. The commentary is neither malicious or stilted. It all feels quite natural and entertains. The thing that is most amazing about this film is that it is both an artistic project and a popcorn movie. So, audiences receive the best of both worlds. The film is a more palatable version of some of the classic meta-films that too frequently will soar over most audience member's heads. This film, however, grounds their meta-commentary in a buddy-action-comedy that fans have grown to love.