An ordinary woman, Ashley (Ashley Greene), crosses paths with dangerous individuals. While she deals with the criminal boss Donnie (Jackie Earle Haley), her daughter Sarah (Thalia Campbell) seeks refuge with her grandfather, Matt (Nicolas Cage), in the Cayman Islands. Matt has never been a part of their lives, but now he has the chance to step up. He spent his best years as an agent, eliminating enemies of the state, and his daughter’s tormentors are easy prey for him.
Nicolas Cage as Matt in a still from “The Retirement Plan”
“The Retirement Plan” feels like a relic from Nicolas Cage’s past. The film was shot in 2021, and in 2022, the actor vowed to be more selective about his projects, thinking ten times before signing another contract. This action film, while not the worst in his career, is undeniably bland. It might have been the final straw for Cage, along with several other projects he took on each year.
Nicolas Cage as Matt in a still from “The Retirement Plan”
Genre Mashup
The film draws from several genre playbooks. First, it’s a boisterous action movie in the style of Guy Ritchie’s early comedies. Characters are introduced with epic, fullscreen fonts, the protagonists kill enemies skillfully and humorously, and some characters are intentionally cartoonish. For example, there’s Bobo, a bloodthirsty gangster and literature enthusiast, played by Ron Perlman. Or his boss, Donnie, who hates the heat so much that he postpones his visit to the Cayman Islands until the last minute, even if it means delaying solving a problem.
“The Retirement Plan” also masquerades as a family dramedy. By chance, the estranged father and daughter finally spend time together, though not in the way they’d hoped. Their leisure time consists of murders, shootouts, and chases. Matt teaches Ashley his only skill: neutralizing people. Finally, the film includes a convoluted spy thriller plot, introducing a story of intricate agency schemes and cunning plans from the higher-ups.
Nicolas Cage as Matt in a still from “The Retirement Plan”
Conflicting Tones
The problem is that these three genres don’t mesh well. “The Retirement Plan” is too melodramatic for a rowdy action movie, too cynical for a family story, and the tense thriller aspect feels out of place with both. The film isn’t even suitable for background viewing; it’s monotonous, slow-paced, and overly talkative. Before engaging in battle, the characters spend another ten minutes discussing the plan and reminiscing about past skirmishes.
Nicolas Cage’s Performance
The only relevant question is how Nicolas Cage fares in this chaos. Even in his worst form, the actor remains a highlight. He kills enemies with a flare gun, throws them off five-story buildings, and, of course, screams effectively. Is the star’s fifteen-minute performance worth it overall? Only his most devoted fans would answer yes.