Don’t let the poster art fool you; this movie rules.
Code 3 has flown in under the radar. It slipped in and out of theaters with little fanfare. It has, frankly, bad looking key art that gives it the appearance of cheap, forgettable DTV fare. And while it did get a physical Blu-ray release from Decal Releasing and Aura Entertainment, even so it’s an MOD disc with no extras.
Which is all pretty unfortunate, because not only is Code 3 actually a tremendous film, it also features my favorite performance of the year.
Rainn Wilson stars as Randy, a cynical and burned out paramedic who’s sick of the low pay, insane hours, constant stress, and lack of respect that have worn down his body and mind, consuming him in a miserable existence. Years of experience have actually honed him into an incredible talent in his job, but also eroded his passion. Along with his partner and only friend Mike (Lil Rel Howery), he treats his work with a sense of detached familiarity and dreams of moving on.
The film strikes an interesting tone; at first it feels like the workplace comedy that the poster and tagline are selling, highlighting the awfulness of working in an ambulance and the absurdities built into the healthcare system. But it gets dark pretty quick, and the tone becomes increasingly pained and desperate.
When he finally does get a promising new office job lined up, Randy just has to stick it out for one last day: a grueling 24-hour shift with a new trainee, Jessica (Aimee Carrero), along for the ride. Jessica is ambitious, eager, and genuinely zealous to make a difference by helping people – everything Randy used to be.
He’s unlikely to get much recognition due to the film’s low profile, but Rainn Wilson’s powerhouse lead performance shows us a depth and incredible range I didn’t know he was capable of. Most folks, even those who’ve never actually watched The Office, know him as the nerdy and prissy Dwight Schrute, his iconic signature character.
You might expect that same energy and some moments of levity here, but Wilson isn’t just playing the hits; he’s delivering a lot of varied notes here. On the surface Randy is the burned out veteran, sarcastic and cynical. But there’s also a repressed and stifled part of him that cares very, very deeply. Wilson really nails the character, culminating in a fiery, anguished monologue of unfettered rage that absolutely shook me.
Code 3 is a phenomenal film and punching far above its weight class; genuinely thoughtful and present, not just telling a story but highlighting a major breakdown in the healthcare system through a complex and unusual combination of black comedy, action, and procedural drama.
Don’t give in to appearances on this one. I think – and certainly, I hope – that this is going to be a film that people come back around to.
The Package
Code 3 is available on MOD (burned) Blu-ray from Aura Entertainment. Other than being MOD it’s a pretty standard package, housed in a blue Elite case.
Special Features and Extras:
The disc doesn’t have any extras or featurettes, aside from a trio of promotional Trailers for other Aura titles.
- Coyotes Trailer (2:20)
- Icefall Trailer (1:40)
- Trap House Trailer (2:07)
– A/V Out
Get it at Amazon – Code 3 Blu-ray
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