We’ve reached the sticky point in the annual film release cycle between your big budget summer blockbusters and the phenomenally depressing but incredible Oscar bait fare. So what to do in the meantime? Well, why not take in a few amusing, predictable fun-ride action flicks? And perhaps nothing fits that bill better than The Hitman’s Bodyguard.
Like any mid-level action film, you can deduce the plot straight from the title. The world’s former top bodyguard (Ryan Reynolds) gets a new client, a hit man (Samuel L. Jackson) who must testify at the International Court of Justice. They must work together to make it to the trial on time, that is, if they don’t kill each other first.
Nothing in this film is out of character. Reynolds, as the highly strung Michael Bryce, is his usual ass-kicking, sarcasm-fueled self, which plays well against Jackson’s usual schtick of foul-mouthed no-nonsense hit man, Darius Kincaid, with a heart of gold. The two clearly have fun playing off one another while riding on complete autopilot. Salma Hayek appears as Jackson’s abrasive, violent and equally foul-mouthed wife — an odd pairing that helps lend the hit man some redemption points. He chooses to be the star witness in a case against fictional Belarus dictator Vladislav Dukhovich (Gary Oldman), who has had all other credible witnesses killed, in order to ensure his imprisoned wife goes free.
In fact, for an action flick, The Hitman’s Bodyguard can feel practically schmaltzy. To inject some heart, our two leads both mope around about their love life - Darius about his imprisoned wife and Michael about his Interpol-employed ex, Amelia Roussel (Elodie Yung). As much as the film is about getting Darius to the trial on time, it’s equally about our leads reuniting with their lady loves, which only ends up feeling distracting for (what should be) a high octane action flick.
Outside of an entertaining final chase scene through the streets of Amsterdam, there is absolutely nothing original or impressive in The Hitman’s Bodyguard. But with two instantly likable and charming leads, it’s easy to get swept along in this lazy buddy movie. And sometimes, an upbeat action comedy is just the escape you need.
