John Cena's 'Matchbox: The Movie' Fails to Accelerate Past Weak Script, Critics Say

A new action-comedy film based on the popular Matchbox toy cars, starring John Cena, is facing a critical drubbing for its perceived lack of substance and reliance on brand promotion.

"Matchbox: The Movie," directed by Sam Hargrave, centers on CIA superspy Sean (Cena), who must reluctantly team up with his childhood friends after they are implicated in a nuclear bomb plot. The film attempts to blend high-octane action sequences with moments of brand history, such as explaining how the toys got their name.

Critics have pointed to a perceived lack of originality, with comparisons drawn to franchises like "Mission: Impossible" and "The Fast and the Furious," but with a target audience skewed towards children. The dialogue has been described as "atrocious" and the humor as "DOA," with one critic noting an "intelligence" agent being baffled by a carabiner.

"Do not psychoanalyze this kid who wants to proclaim his love to a girl by giving her a rare Matchbox car – DID YOU KNOW the toys were designed to fit inside a Matchbox, hence the name? A true fact, shoehorned into this movie’s dialogue!" reads one review, highlighting the film's overt brand integration.

John Cena's performance is also noted, with the review suggesting that his deadpan delivery, rather than playing to his comedic strengths, is "ill-advised." The film's action sequences, while featuring practical effects like car crashes, are undercut by what critics describe as unconvincing CGI.

Ultimately, the film is recommended as a "SKIP IT" by reviewers who found its attempts at blending child-friendly intellectual property with more mature themes jarring and its overall execution lacking. The movie's script has been characterized as "progressively more dimbulbed" and reliant on tired spy tropes.

"Matchbox: The Movie" is currently available for streaming on Apple TV.