Ambulance Video Reveals How Michael Bay Improves His New Movie's Action
Director Michael Bay shows off the new technology he's using to improve the action of his latest film, Ambulance. The new action-thriller stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Eiza Gonzalez, and Garret Dillahunt. It follows a group of veterans who stage a bank robbery that goes awry, sending them on a wild chase through L.A. in a hijacked ambulance. Ambulance is based on the 2005 Danish film of the same name, albeit on a much larger scale.
Bay is best known for his work on the Transformers franchise, which he directed for five features before finally exiting the franchise. Before those films, Bay was primarily known for his action movies, such as Bad Boys, Bad Boys II, The Rock, and Armageddon. Bay is known for his explosive, kinetic, and stylish action sequences, which he's now returning to, along with his earlier high-concept action films. The director has already experimented with new techniques and styles with his most recent films, including 13 Hours with John Krasinski and Netflix's 6 Underground with Ryan Reynolds.
In Ambulance, Bay utilizes some new technology to elevate the action, this time with VR drones. In a new video from Universal Pictures, Bay shows off the drones and VR headsets, which are being piloted by experts like Alex Vanover, the Drone Racing League World Champion, who can utilize a VR headset to pilot the drone, which is capturing shots in ways that can't be done any other practical way. With this new technology, Bay can have his camera literally in the action of a scene, which is used heavily throughout the film to get some unique angles and shots, making Ambulance a far cry from a standard action film. Check out the behind-the-scenes video below:
Bay originally got his start in music videos, which is where he developed his bombastic style that has defined his career thus far. While the director has embraced technology to enhance his films, he's also known for shooting the action practically as much as possible, using real explosions and stunt work while using CGI to enhance later. Bay's work has created several iconic moments and shots throughout his career, and he's well-known as the director that turned Will Smith into a movie star with the chase sequence in the first Bad Boys movie.
While Bay's films can be hit or miss on story and dialogue at times, he's nothing short of a genius when it comes to staging and shooting action. Utilizing VR drones is a brilliant means to capture footage, particularly for Bay's brand of filmmaking, which suits his style perfectly. Based on the shots seen in the trailers and this new behind-the-scenes featurette, Bay has yet again found a way to take things to the next level, and Ambulance will undoubtedly leave a strong impression on the director's filmography. It's also likely opening the doors for more tech improvements using drones or otherwise in his next endeavor. Ambulance opens on April 8, 2022.
Source: Universal Pictures