The Hitman's Bodyguard

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Disgraced bodyguard Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds) is tasked by his ex-girlfriend, Interpol agent Amelia Roussell (Elodie Yung) to protect hitman Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson). Kincaid has agreed to testify against a cruel dicator (Gary Oldman) so that his imprisoned wife (Salma Hayek) can go free. The dictator sends several men after the pair to prevent his own imprisonment. The first thing I want to say is that I think the cast is solid overall. Reynolds and Jackson work off each other well and have good chemistry with one another. Bryce, Kincaid, and Rousell are probably the most interesting and fleshed out characters in the movie. You understand why the character of Michael Bryce is down on his luck and disgraced. You’re told why Kincaid became a hitman and it actually makes sense. You also can kind of see both points of view that Bryce and Roussell have. However, the big issue with The Hitman’s Bodyguard is that nothing really stands out as remarkable. Sure Gary Oldman is good as the villain, but it doesn’t really measure up to other villains he’s played in the past. The action sequences are hit and miss. Some of them are good. Others employ far too much shaky cam. It feels like this movie wants to be a send-up of 80s and 90s action movies. But, many of those movies have a plethora of memorable lines. There isn’t a line of dialogue that really stands out with the likes of “Yippie-Kay-Yay, motherfucker,” “I’ll be back,” “Hasta la vista, Baby,” or “I am an F.B.I. Agent!” Ultimately, The Hitman’s Bodyguard was a decent enough one-time watch at matinee price, or at the very least, cable background noise.

6 / 10