If you ever needed evidence that the movie industry has changed, look no further than “Wolfs”. This new action comedy comes with a $200 million budget and is illuminated by the sheer star wattage of its two A-list leads, George Clooney and Brad Pitt. Those used to be the ideal ingredients for a robust big screen release. But not so with “Wolfs”. Instead (minus a very brief and limited theatrical run), “Wolfs” is releasing on AppleTV+. As I said, the industry has changed.

Much of the early conversations surrounding “Wolfs” have centered on its hefty budget, namely the salaries paid to the two stars (several outlets have reported $35 million each while Clooney has denied the figures). Either way, the movie will need to earn its money back without the aid of a theater release. It’s certainly possible, although for people like me, figuring up revenue generated on streaming services is akin to advanced calculus.

“Wolfs” is directed by Jon Watts whose most notable big screen credits are his three Spider-Man movies for Marvel Studios. Here he crafts a story that sees Clooney and Pitt playing two competing New York City fixers who are forced to work together over the course of one long winter night. There’s not much in terms of inspiration and the movie has its fair share of lulls. But the two stars pack enough individual charisma and comic chemistry to keep the movie afloat.

The movie opens in a $10,000 a night luxury penthouse where a prominent district attorney (Amy Ryan) finds herself in a pickle. In the middle of a rowdy fling, her much younger lover (Austin Abrams) winds up dead. Desperate to have her mess “cleaned” in order to avoid a reputation-killing scandal, the DA calls a number she was given in case she ever found herself in need. On the other end is a fixer played by Clooney (we never get his name) who specializes in handling such things. He immediately heads to the hotel.

Once he arrives he goes straight to work but is interrupted by another fixer played by Pitt (we never get his name either) who has been called to “clean up” the same mess. Against their wishes, the two are forced to work together. But what should be a simple job turns into a nightmare after they discover a backpack hidden behind a dresser containing $250,000 worth of heroin. Even worse, the dead body they’re supposed to dispose isn’t dead at all.

The majority of the movie follows our two fixers as they sort out who the drugs belong to and how they need to handle their college-aged tag-along. As they do, Watts offers up plenty of banter, much of which revolves around their mutual distrust and lone-wolf mentalities. Clooney and Pitt spit out several decent zingers but spend a lot of time lazily cursing on cue. Yet they remain effortlessly compatible on screen – a muscle they have previously flexed in their three Ocean’s films and other collaborations.

Still, great hair and million-dollar smiles from two former Sexiest Man Alive honorees can only carry a movie so far. A cluttered story, a few dull patches, and some comic misfires keep “Wolfs” from being the satisfying crowd-pleaser it could’ve been. But it’s still George Clooney and Brad Pitt – two actors who emanate charm and charisma. And when you put them on screen together, you have the kind of chemistry that makes overlooking shortcomings a little bit easier. “Wolfs” premieres today on AppleTV+.

VERDICT – 3 STARS