Paul Greengrass is truly a master of suspense, and of creating massive events and sequences that feel like a ticking time bomb that might not end until the film does. The Lost Bus is no exception, and proves his love yet again for humans’ cooperation and resilience in the face of unimaginable fear and adversity.
The film is set during the horrific 2018 fires in Paradise, California, which may still feel fresh for many Californians and even more so due to this last year’s events. The movie focuses on the area’s fire department wide efforts to fight the fires and save lives, while also zooming on Matthew McConaughey (giving an amazing performance) as bus driver Kevin McCay, trying to rescue 22 children from the fast-spreading inferno, together with a teacher of theirs, Mary Ludwig, also played wonderfully by the terrific America Ferrera.
The movie does an excellent job bringing you into the terror of the events faced by the characters, including from the perspective of a child and a parent. All the while, the visual effects and sound design immerse you into these almost real-time events and put you on the edge of your seat — save for a few noticeable shots of CGI. The handheld cam Greengrass is known for elevates every moment and glues the pace together along with the tense music. You’re invested in the characters and the community’s pain and loss, while some devastating truths about the fires and their causes are revealed. The Lost Bus is a gripping true story that will stick with you not only because it’s a not-so-recent story, but also because of its humanity and implications that reach far and wide.
4/5
Review by: Gal Balaban