Read Mixed User Reviews for The Mule (2018)

5

MaxPayneIsGodJul 6, 2020

Serves as a sort of follow up to Gran Torino, I felt the lead characters were extremely similar.
Eastwood plays Eastwood in a pretty predictable drama, its a shame this will probably be one of his last acting roles. Cooper was OK, didn'tServes as a sort of follow up to Gran Torino, I felt the lead characters were extremely similar.
Eastwood plays Eastwood in a pretty predictable drama, its a shame this will probably be one of his last acting roles. Cooper was OK, didn't really have to stretch himself at all.
Nothing special, you could safely pass and not be missing much.… Expand

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5

amheretojudgeDec 26, 2018

Risky Retirement Plans.

The Mule Eastwood busts an humble and hilarious in and out mission with melodious journey jazz music and household efficient impressive tricks. No matter how dark the theme is and how much ruggedness it appeals,Risky Retirement Plans.

The Mule

Eastwood busts an humble and hilarious in and out mission with melodious journey jazz music and household efficient impressive tricks. No matter how dark the theme is and how much ruggedness it appeals, Eastwood's mellow walk and talk amidst the high stakes nail-biting circumstances balances the film on the brisk of mediocrity. The storytelling neither grows compelling nor dull, it is a flat line on a mapped graph that is persistently gullible in its own range. Starting from the scratch, the initiative motive is often projected as a requirement that grows it to sculpt the character as a victim, but this isn't your usual venture of good and evil, this is a unique Eastwood brand.

The protagonist isn't justified or attempted to humanize through extra sequences installed forcibly, all that is left to Eastwood's constant murmuring that draws in the laugh and emotions to connect with him. Almost split into two different tone, the road trips or the so called professional life of Eastwood wins over a large margin compared to his family drama. The road trip life that he enters with baby steps is explicitly written on papers and meticulously executed on screen. With an eye on each tiny detail, from humming to various songs to point out the difference between the subsequent generations, it is a packet of pure delight.

On the other hand, the family drama is left short handed due to the rush that it possesses, somehow. Unable to clarify the reason being, the makers are obliged to cover up a whole lot of time period of the conflicts especially concerning the equation of Eastwood between his daughter. And even though it circles back to a decent convincing symmetry in the end, the inceptive stages are a bit shaky and chalky.

On terms of performance, Eastwood at the driver's seat has a not-so- Eastwood-y role to portray. Rhyming on a sarcastic tone and a real smooth conversationalist, Eastwood has both impressive one liners and cheesy sense of humor that makes you root for him more. Surprisingly, not even for a single frame, does he attempts to ooze power over the opposite actor on screen, he is generous, honest and supportive to others with his old military tactics. Cooper, as the stereotypical cop pursuing the case leading to the illegal activities carried out by Eastwood, is offered very little to chew on.

Although there is a decent conversation in its last act between Cooper and Eastwood, Cooper's character still feels left untouched. Suffering from the similar disease are the victims Pena as Cooper's sidekick and Fishburne as the usual under-cooked narrow minded boss. Armed with an eerie adaptation, Eastwood's world is often dry, confined in its mechanical loop, as much as the procedure is gripping, there is no flamboyancy or grit to the narration. What is appreciative is the pace on the ladder that Eastwood keeps climbing on his new profession and the stillness between him and the road trips of his. The Mule is barely on our side, but what works for the film, is that it neither is against us.… Expand

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6

Rebecca31Feb 17, 2019

Earl Stone (Clint Eastwood) isn't exactly living the high life, he's broke, estranged from his family, and on top of all that his horticultural business is closing down. When an opportunity to make some money arises he takes a seemingly easyEarl Stone (Clint Eastwood) isn't exactly living the high life, he's broke, estranged from his family, and on top of all that his horticultural business is closing down. When an opportunity to make some money arises he takes a seemingly easy job that just requires him to drive. Not realising it right away but Earl has just become a drug courier for a Mexican cartel. Things are running smoothly for Earl yet the drug cartel and their new drug mule are being tracked by DEA agent Colin Bates (Bradley Cooper).

Even if the Mexican drug cartel genre is a little worn out at this point and it may not be up there with Gran Torino but The Mule is a decent crime thriller you'll be sure to enjoy in the moment. I was full sure I heard Clint Eastwood was finished with acting and just going to stay with directing but the when the part of a 90 year old drug mule comes up who else better to take that on. The pacing is a bit messy at times, there's one particular sequence towards the later half where it seems both rushed and dragged out all at the same time, not to mention a drug fuelled party that can only have been directed by the likes of Michael Bay or a pervy old man. Maybe it could have lost ten minutes overall, aside from that there are no main issues, it's watchable and a little forgettable. Recommended popcorn flick.… Expand

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5

cameronhalmansJan 9, 2019

The Mule is pretty funny, but none of that humor fits in this story, and the characters are as bleak as bleak can get.

47/100

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4

clarkaddisonJan 10, 2019

This film is boring and has a unlovable main character. A racist, florist, who delivers drugs and ignores his family. Only one bullet is shot for the purpose of harming someone. One scuffle off camera and that is it. Clint should be focusingThis film is boring and has a unlovable main character. A racist, florist, who delivers drugs and ignores his family. Only one bullet is shot for the purpose of harming someone. One scuffle off camera and that is it. Clint should be focusing on directing or acting. Not both at the same time.… Expand

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6

BHBarryDec 16, 2018

“”The Mule” is a film written by Nick Schenk inspired by Sam Dolnick’s piece in the New York Times Magazine entitled “The Sinola Cartel’s 90 Year Old Drug Mule”. The film stars Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper, Michael Pena, Laurence Fishburne,“”The Mule” is a film written by Nick Schenk inspired by Sam Dolnick’s piece in the New York Times Magazine entitled “The Sinola Cartel’s 90 Year Old Drug Mule”. The film stars Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper, Michael Pena, Laurence Fishburne, Andy Garcia and Diane Wiest so, one would think with a stellar cast like that, the film just had to be good. It is not.
Mr. Eastwood plays the 90 year old subject too well for he’s lost the core of his image and one feels more sadness than respect for this aging icon who looks more like the grandfather of the star we once knew than the presence we were hoping to experience. Perhaps it’s the penalty of being too dynamic and great in the who we once were than the person we are now.
The script and story lack depth and, although never bored, the viewer is mindful that nothing significant is going on as the picture, like the mule’s truck, just travels forward without meaning or destination. I give the film a 6.0 rating proving that an aging star with support from many cameo players cannot necessarily guarantee a positive theatrical experience.… Expand

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6

Voodoo123Aug 23, 2019

+Great cast
+Quality production
-Weak screenplay -Concept falls flat next to its contemporaries I certainly enjoyed watching Eastwood's karaoke road trip but we simply don't spend enough time with earl before his business dissolves to feel+Great cast
+Quality production
-Weak screenplay
-Concept falls flat next to its contemporaries

I certainly enjoyed watching Eastwood's karaoke road trip but we simply don't spend enough time with earl before his business dissolves to feel truly invested in his choices and the subsequent situations presented throughout the film and so later and so we are left simply watching the predictable events occur in sequence... Don't get me wrong its well produced and entertaining yet suffers from being painfully average at every page turn. Moments like the multiple cop 'stop and search' feel completely one dimensional and you can hear the writers voice and not the characters... The Mule is an interesting idea executed well enough to work on film but the push to feel for earls lost family relationship just didn't quite work for me emotionally one way or another.... Def worth a look if you are an Eastwood fan though.… Expand

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6

IamDWGMar 21, 2019

Regarding the list of films I typically stay away from as a general rule, anything with Clint Eastwood is usually found among that list. That’s not to say I have anything against the man. I believe him to be an extremely talented actor thatRegarding the list of films I typically stay away from as a general rule, anything with Clint Eastwood is usually found among that list. That’s not to say I have anything against the man. I believe him to be an extremely talented actor that deserves the utmost respect. I just don’t fit into any of the demographics found in his typical target audience. That’s when The Mule popped up. I would say this movie still falls outside of my specific demographic, but the previews did something specific to gather enough of my interest to watch the film.

For the most part, there’s a lot of empty space in this film that feels rather filler and repetitive. Strangely enough, some of that repetitive nature in the film feels specifically like a director’s input for theme and feel. That being said, as unique as that can be, it hurts the narrative structure in the flick as a whole – as most of the movie feels as if it’s not really going anywhere. Not surprising, given how this film was based upon a true story – even though everyone’s names were changed for some reason unbeknownst to me. Thing is, Clint Eastwood has a way with directing his films that makes a technically mundane film feel instantly nostalgic, and the same can be said here. His portrayal of this universally lovable senior citizen shines a different light on the Mexican Cartel in relation to the DEA officers. In short: it’s not what you expect, but you welcome it anyway – but the film isn’t without its flaws.… Expand

0 of 11 users found this helpful011

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6

JLuis_001Feb 18, 2019

By now Clint Eastwood is no longer surprising.
It's not a bad thing, but let's say that sometimes he's quite uneven with the films in which he works.
At least this is a much better film than the failed ''The 15:17 to Paris'' and thatBy now Clint Eastwood is no longer surprising.
It's not a bad thing, but let's say that sometimes he's quite uneven with the films in which he works.

At least this is a much better film than the failed ''The 15:17 to Paris'' and that although this film will also be a forgettable note in his remarkable career as a director, I think it's worth taking a look.… Expand

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5

GrantD243Jan 22, 2019

This film is so incredibly bazar. The story is unbelievable and believable at the same time, and Clint Eastwood's overblown perception of himself (and his...odd sense of humor) definitely came through the screen and slapped me a few times asThis film is so incredibly bazar. The story is unbelievable and believable at the same time, and Clint Eastwood's overblown perception of himself (and his...odd sense of humor) definitely came through the screen and slapped me a few times as I watched it. It also drags on far longer than it needed to, and an unnecessary amount of time is spent just watching Clint drive down roads in his car. But, I also didn't walk out feeling entirely disappointed? Just....weird.… Expand

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6

emilyashtenbApr 7, 2019

Clint Eastwood plays his character perfectly, as expected. However, the movie was not as action-packed as I had originally anticipated it to be, given that the movie was based on drug trafficking. The entire film itself was very slow-paced,Clint Eastwood plays his character perfectly, as expected. However, the movie was not as action-packed as I had originally anticipated it to be, given that the movie was based on drug trafficking. The entire film itself was very slow-paced, which at times made it hard to stay engaged. Overall was not bad, just would not necessarily pay to see in theaters again if given the chance.… Expand

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5

imthenoobMar 21, 2019

It's very much a drama and the action-packed film the trailer portrayed it to be. Very well acted, especially by Eastwood, and the plot is satisfying enough. I wish there was a bit more to it though. I think the DEA side of things was ratherIt's very much a drama and the action-packed film the trailer portrayed it to be. Very well acted, especially by Eastwood, and the plot is satisfying enough. I wish there was a bit more to it though. I think the DEA side of things was rather lacking and there was no sense of fear or suspense when dealing with the cartel.

The Mule plays it safe in the middle ground and that's the biggest flaw but it's worth seeing if you are a fan of Eastwood.… Expand

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4

BroyaxJan 6, 2020

C'est peut-être tiré d'un fait divers, car après tout, un vieux, faut que ça mange ! et avec les retraites de misère, comment qu'il fait notre jardinier, sinon ? Quoi qu'il en soit, le film s'avère de temps en temps assez comique... tandisC'est peut-être tiré d'un fait divers, car après tout, un vieux, faut que ça mange ! et avec les retraites de misère, comment qu'il fait notre jardinier, sinon ? Quoi qu'il en soit, le film s'avère de temps en temps assez comique... tandis que Papy trimbale sa dope à travers tout le pays et qu'il joue au chat et à la souris avec la DEA !

Il a fort à faire avec de drôles d'oiseaux dans son "nouveau" métier même si le boss (Andy Garcia) l'a à la bonne... une vieille mule qui transporte autant de marchandises même si elle s'arrête à chaque restoroute du coin, c'est quelque chose !

Papy Clint se donne le beau rôle comme d'habitude et tire bien la couverture à soi, on le comprend tout-à-fait... sa réalisation est comme de coutume impeccable, ce qui ne gâte rien... mais de gros problèmes de rythme viennent plomber le film qui s'étale beaucoup trop, eu égard au sujet.

Nion seulement, il s'étale mais il tartine de guimauve à deux dollars tant qu'il peut : c'en devient régulièrement aussi balourd que maladroit et prévisible. Papy radote un peu trop donc et tente d'inverser les valeurs tout en distribuant les leçons "de vie" à la fin, il ne manque décidément pas d'air ce vieux !

Globalement, le film ressemble trop à Gran Torino et cumule en conséquence les mêmes tares, dommage.… Expand

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6

bkorrasNov 23, 2019

When I grow up, I want to be Clint Eastwood; pushing 90 and still directing movies, and good ones at that. Eastwood both stars and directs this film. It's a movie that at times is funny, because how can a movie about a 90-year-old drug muleWhen I grow up, I want to be Clint Eastwood; pushing 90 and still directing movies, and good ones at that. Eastwood both stars and directs this film. It's a movie that at times is funny, because how can a movie about a 90-year-old drug mule navigating the world of the cartel, the internet and political correctness not be?. At other times it's emotionally hard-hitting, especially when it comes to his family life, and that's where the real lessons of the movie lay. Ultimately this is a movie about the importance of family, redemption, even for late bloomers, like our 90-year-old drug mule… Expand

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5

CLeCromDec 6, 2020

Clint Eastwood has aged a lot. Beyond his physique - forced - of little old man, more surprises, camera and music are foreseeable.

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