8/17/17

The Hitman's Bodyguard

Two of my all-time favorites in one movie! It doesn't get much better than this. A top-rated but now disgraced bodyguard has just been hired to protect a witness for the prosecution at The International Court of Justice at The Hague. Let's see them try to set aside their significant differences for as long as it takes.

Director Patrick Hughes ("The Expendables 3") working from a script by Tom O'Connor ("Fire With Fire") brings us an entertaining R-rated actioner that clocks in at just under 2 hours.

Here is part of Hughes' cast:
  • Samuel L. Jackson ("The Legend of Tarzan") Darius Kincaid is a notorious hitman who does NOT respect his new protector! "Keep me out of harm's way? I AM harm's way!"
  • Dijarn Campbell (in his first film) is the young Darius in flashbacks.
  • Ryan Reynolds ("Deadpool") Michael Bryce has successfully protected a wide variety of clients, but this time, he is NOT happy!
  • Gary Oldman ("The Space Between Us") Vladislav Dukhovich is determined to fix things before it's too late. Including that witness.
  • Salma Hayek ("Beatriz at Dinner") is hilarious as Sonia Kincaid, a wife no one can take for granted!
  • Elodie Yung ("The Defenders") Amelia is an Interpol agent who has seen Michael at his best, and at his worst, 
This is an International Court, so of course we have Asians, Russians, even Englishmen, each striving for his or her own brand of Justice.

This action-packed thriller features all kinds of vehicular mayhem, countless gunshots, endless fisticuffs and non-stop profanity (it IS Samuel L. Jackson), plus some blowie uppie stuff. The editing, particularly that extended chase scene in Amsterdam, is spectacularly good.

Our enthusiastic screening audience applauded and made a noisy exit...always a good sign!
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Check out this trailer:
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