MOVIE REVIEW: THE MECHANIC (15)

‘NOT BETTER THAN STATHAM'S

 TRANSPORTER FILMS’

SLIDER’S REVIEW:

 Jason Statham headlines this Action Thriller film. The Mechanic is a remake of the 1972 version. This 2011 version was Directed by Simon West. (Same guy that brought us Tomb Raider & Con Air). It’s also starring Ben Foster & Donald Sutherland. Statham is Arthur Bishop who is a professional assassin on a mission to find out who has killed his friend Harry. He reluctantly allows Harry’s son to accompany him in the fight for revenge.

Don’t you just hate that? When you watch a trailer for a film and it looks so exciting that you just want to head to the cinema but then only to watch it see its not as good as you thought it would be. It’s another version of The Transporter. The Mechanic exhibits gun shooting scenes & car chases that we have seen Stratham do before only this time he has brought along his trainee Steve and he's not dressed in a black suit. The fight scenes are bloody & limitedly entertaining. Funny enough it’s one of the few things they get right. Jason Stratham has the physical presence to bring us exciting fight scenes but the ones I watched were easily forgettable.

I don’t think they went in the right direction with the storyline. There’s not an ounce of originality, it starts off slow then tried to pick up but the storyline was already closed by half way through and I knew how it would end. The story doesn’t go deep enough. (I’ve seen these type of storylines many times before.)

Jason Statham does what he does best and that’s to look silent but be very deadly. His distinctive voice, heavy  build and constant sharp gaze is enough to intimidate any opponent. He is an action man so I won’t fault him on the script (I’m sure it was not his fault) He does a great job in this film as an actor. He is a very good actor. Steve McKenna (Foster) is the rookie that Arthur Bishop (Statham) carries along on his missions. I like Ben Foster as an actor especially in 30 Days of Night & 3:10 to Yuma. He brought his dark and edgy side to this role. His eyes and low but heavy voice gave his character what it needed.

This is a man’s film so lads if you like action then this is watchable.

#FACT: Charlie Bronson played the lead role in the original version of The Mechanic in 1972.

MY STAR RATINGS OUT OF 5:  3.5

ONE FAVOURITE MOMENT IN THE FILM:

Steve McKenna's fight with his first assignment.

(if you loved another moment in the film, please feel free to tell us in the comments)

TRAILER: