FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH (APPLE TV+) (2025)

SYNOPSIS: Fountain of Youth follows two estranged siblings (John Krasinski and Academy Award winner Natalie Portman) who partner on a global heist to find the mythological Fountain of Youth. They must use their knowledge of history to follow clues on an epic adventure that will change their lives … and possibly lead to immortality.

MOVIE REVIEW:

John Krasinski stars as Luke Purdue, a modern-day Indiana Jones figure on a quest to find the fabled Fountain of Youth at the behest of a dying billionaire, Owen Carver (Domhnall Gleeson). Joining him reluctantly is his estranged sister Charlotte (Natalie Portman), a curator at the National Gallery.

Before diving deeper into the story, it’s worth pausing to admire the lavish production values brought to our small screens. Backed by Skydance and Apple, Fountain of Youth looks like a premium cinematic experience. The sets are meticulously crafted and the film was shot on location in Thailand, London and Egypt, giving it an authentic, globe-trotting feel. Credit is due to director Guy Ritchie for helming this ambitious treasure-hunting adventure.

Although James Vanderbilt is the sole credited screenwriter, the script wears its influences openly particularly Indiana Jones (especially Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade), The Mummy and The Da Vinci Code. Unfortunately, Vanderbilt’s screenplay leans into overwrought exposition and muddled logic. What could have been clever references to ancient art and biblical lore end up as convoluted riddles and uninspired breadcrumbs.

That leaves much of the heavy lifting to Ritchie. Returning to more familiar territory after Aladdin and The Covenant, he injects the film with his trademark kinetic energy. The two-hour runtime is packed with prolonged chases, explosive set pieces and frequent fistfights. Yet, despite all the action, few sequences truly captivate. The chaos is loud but rarely thrilling.

Krasinski, for his part, seems miscast. He lacks the roguish charm or mischievous wit that defined Harrison Ford’s iconic archaeologist. His performance feels too grounded for a role that demands a bit more swagger. Portman fares better, though her character’s barbed remarks toward her ex-husband hint perhaps awkwardly at her own off-screen marital issues. At least she brings some emotional gravitas. Eiza González plays a mysterious guardian of the Fountain, exuding enough menace to suggest she’s more than just a pretty face though her character remains thinly drawn.

Despite its flaws, Fountain of Youth is not without merit. While it may lack the spark to truly dazzle, it stands as a serviceable family-friendly adventure, echoing the tone of Nicolas Cage’s National Treasure franchise. Just don’t go in expecting to discover the next great treasure hunting classic, you’d have better luck revisiting the original Indiana Jones archives.

MOVIE RATING:

Review by Linus Tee