The Mechanic Review

By: Robert Acosta
 

Cast:
Jason Statham as Arthur Bishop
Ben Foster as Steve McKenna
Tony Goldwyn as Dean
Donald Sutherland as Harry McKenna

Plot: A hit man(Statham) takes in an apprentice(Foster) after the apprentice's father is killed.

Review: I did not know The Mechanic was a remake of a 1972 film starring one of my fathers favorite actors, Charles Bronson. Now I didn't see that film but I can almost guarantee, there is probably more action in this film than in the 1972 version.

The action isn't the full out, nonstop kind of action that we've been spoiled to. It's the kind of action that when it comes, it's satisfying. It is Jason Statham after all, and in terms of action movies, he can do no wrong. He's a bona fide action star. He's not like The Rock or Vin Diesel who saw more money in kids films. He's the guy he's going to kick ass, and be very entertaining doing so.

Statham usually carries action films on his own but this time, he has a good complimentary actor joining him in Ben Foster. Foster has gone mostly under the radar over the years, but he's been featured in tons of high profile movies of the years. He comes off as a care less person with no direction but ends up being a very handy asset to Statham. Their relationship works well as a master/apprentice kind of relationship, and though being a little predictable, it works.

The story is simple. Statham is a hit man, paid to take people out. He has to kill someone that he really doesn't want to but knows that he has to do it for the benefit of this man. The man he kills(Sutherland) leaves behind a son(Foster) that Statham takes in for the benefit of the son.

But there are a couple of holes in the story. When did Foster learn how to fight so well? And the question that pops up in my head for most action movies, where are the cops?! So you as an audience member wll just have to bare with them and just enjoy the action.

Also, my last complaint, I felt that the "bad guys" of the film never really posed a threat. Statham never seemed like he was in any danger at all. Of course, he is the man. I understand that. But I never felt that Statham was going to die at any one point in the movie, he just blew through the enemies. Statham has a very clean record, he doesn't really die in films. Maybe a couple, but not many. I understand that, I already knew that entering the film. Why not at least put him in some danger?

Overall, The Mechanic is a direct action movie. You won't care too much for story but you'll acknowledge it. Characters will be there, but you won't feel connected to them. The action is there, and you're going to like it.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5