Key Takeaways

• Plot Overview: The series follows U.S. Marshal Frank Remnick as he navigates a crisis after a prison transport plane crashes in Alaska.
• Character Dynamics: The relationship between Remnick and master criminal Havlock evolves throughout the series, creating tension and intrigue.
• Production Quality: Directed by Sam Hargrave, the show combines high-quality action sequences with character-driven storytelling.
• Release Information: The Last Frontier premieres with two episodes on October 10th on Apple TV+.

Plot: Follows Frank Remnick, the lone U.S. marshal in charge of the quiet, rugged barrens of Alaska. Remnick’s jurisdiction is turned upside down when a prison transport plane crashes in the remote wilderness, setting free dozens of violent inmates. Tasked with protecting the town he’s vowed to keep safe, he begins to suspect the crash wasn’t an accident, but the first step of a well-crafted plan with far-reaching and devastating implications.

Review: There is a saying that every story has already been told. The repetitive nature of stories stems from the limited combinations of archetypes, plots, characters, and settings that we encounter before we come across something we have already seen. As someone who watches television and film for a living, I can say that it often takes a lot of time, but the quality of the cast and creative talent can transform something that could be clichéd or formulaic into a strong work of entertainment. The new series, The Last Frontier, is a familiar mix of good guys, bad guys, and plot elements combined into a setting we have seen before, but presented in a way that makes for an entertaining watch. With Jason Clarke, Haley Bennett, and Dominic Cooper anchoring the series and the propulsive opening episode directed by Extraction helmer Sam Hargrave, The Last Frontier is one of the most entertaining and thrilling series of the year.

The Last Frontier opens with an action-packed premiere that sets the tone for the series to follow. A prisoner transport jet carrying a group of criminals picks up a master criminal named Havlock, who appears to orchestrate a crash to facilitate his escape from custody. Landing in the remote wilderness of Alaska, the crash falls under the purview of Frank Remnick (Jason Clarke), a U.S. Marshal who is preparing to move into the next phase of his life with his wife, Sarah (Simone Kessell). As he investigates the crash, he is met by Sidney Scofield, who knows the danger that Havlock represents. Sent by Jack Bradford (Alfre Woodard) on behalf of the CIA, Scofield teams up with Remnick to find Havlock as well as the dozens of escaped convicts now roaming the Alaskan wilderness. With criminals played by a range of familiar faces, including Johnny Knoxville, Clifton Collins Jr., Rusty Schwimmer, Gus Birney, and more, Frank has his hands full. At the same time, Sidney is focused solely on recapturing Havlock.

Spread across ten episodes, The Last Frontier opens fast and violent and does not slow down. Each hour-long chapter is packed with developments and twists, with each episode closing with a cliffhanger that leads into the next entry. The give-and-take between Frank and Havlock comes into play early in the series but evolves as we learn more about the master criminal’s true motivations for escaping. There is an interesting cat-and-mouse component to the Frank Remnick and Havlock relationship that is further complicated by Sidney Scofield, who is stuck between them. It helps that both Jason Clarke and Haley Bennett have worked together before in 2020’s The Devil All The Time. Here, as begrudging partners hunting down the most dangerous opponent they could face, they have ample time to learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses. The dual narratives unfold through each episode as characters try to find multiple unique criminals while also hunting Havlock; this keeps the story moving from beginning to end.

Simone Kessell, Dominic Cooper, Dallas Goldtooth, and Tait Blum are all solid players in the supporting cast. The Last Frontier evokes the hallmarks of procedural and mystery television series yet boasts the scale of a feature film. There is a significant amount of backstory provided for all characters, notably Frank Remnick and his family; this informs decisions made by everyone throughout the series. There are still some ridiculous character choices that may have you slapping your forehead at how silly they are; however, those are minor complaints compared to the fun this series presents overall. Jason Clarke is a solid protagonist; having established a career playing various bad guys and unlikable characters. Clarke has always been a solid lead; I appreciate his performance here as a father carrying the burden of a past secret. Clarke works well with everyone in the cast, especially Simone Kessell, who plays a realistic spouse to a career law enforcement officer. Placing this series in one of the most remote parts of the United States enhances isolation and uniqueness of story while overcoming any clichéd elements.

Showrunners Jon Bokenkamp and Richard D’Ovidio wrote both first episode and finale; Melissa Glenn, Albert Kim, Kelli Johnson, Glenn Kessler, Akela Cooper, and Ryan Cruise contributed to remaining eight episodes. Bogenkamp and D’Ovidio have worked together previously on The Blacklist and The Blacklist: Redemption, as well as 2013 film The Call. The duo has solid grasp on complex crime stories blended with action that comes through in dual narratives at play in The Last Frontier. Directing duties are helmed by Sam Hargrave; he directs first and third episodes while John Curran directs four episodes; Jessica Lowrey directs two; Dennie Gordon directs two. Hargrave is best known for directing Chris Hemsworth Netflix movies Extraction and Extraction 2; these are two most technically impressive action movies from last twenty years. While action is not non-stop in The Last Frontier; first episode features fight sequence while third episode includes intense helicopter set-piece which are highlights of entire series. Every episode balances significant action with character drama; making The Last Frontier an exciting watch.

The Last Frontier is welcome first season of what should be ongoing series. Nothing may be sure when show costs as much as they do these days; but Apple’s deep pockets could have us returning to wilds of Alaska for additional thrill rides led by Jason Clarke, Haley Bennett, and Dominic Cooper. There are definitely moments in this series that stretch credulity; however they are done in service of fun story that hits right notes. I would have liked Sam Hargrave to direct more episodes and inject same caliber of action seen in premiere episode; but I am happy with what we got. The Last Frontier manages to take part of world many have never visited and makes it seem simultaneously foreign yet familiar. This is fun show that is well worth tuning in to week after week.

The Last Frontier premieres with two episodes on October 10th on Apple TV+.

Source:
JoBlo.com