The Mechanic

by Gary Barnidge on February 1st, 2011

The Starting Lineup – Arthur Bishop (Jason Statham) Steve McKenna (Ben Foster) Tony Goldwyn (Dean) Harry McKenna (Donald Sutherland) Simon West (Director)

Gary’s Thoughts – Jason Statham is one of today’s major action stars and this film he adds another action movie under his belt. When you hear Statham you may think of an all out action movie such as Crank, Crank 2, and Transporter 1-3. This film is different from his other action films because its not all action, their is action and a little drama mixed into the movie. You actually get to see Statham act a little instead of just fighting which he doesn’t disappoint. The film has a small theme related to the film The American in which they show how isolated a hired hit man or assassin has to be and how he can’t have a real relationship with anyone or anything. The movie succeeds in delivering action scenes that aren’t seen in many movies nowadays, in the way Statham kills people. Ben Foster delivers a very good performance in the way he portrays his character with a menacing attitude while also looking for help from someone at the same time.

The Game Plan – When the best hit man in the business realizes that his mentor was killed for other reasons then he was told he decides he is going to take down all those responsible, only problem is his mentor’s son wants in to get revenge but Bishop is a loner.

Touchdowns – The unique ways Statham’s character (Bishop) kills people is something that isn’t seen in very many movies if any, which brings something new to action movies. Jason Statham delivers in another action movie but he mixes in some good acting which is mostly overlooked in action films. Ben Foster shows he can be both scary and helpless at the same time.

Penalties – There are a few scenes in the film that could have been taken out because they feel as if they are just fillers such as every scene with the prostitute and Bishop (Statham). The bad guy in the film is such easy target and not your typical bad guy who can fight back, instead this one is very weak and not tough at all. The realism of the world isn’t shown in the film with no cops in whole movie even with shooting in broad daylight.

Game Winner / Fumble – The Game Winner of the film would be the unique ways that Bishop (Statham) kills people and how much thought goes into each and every kill, and how he plans it. Its not on the level of Law Abiding Citizen in the way Gerald Butler’s character planned his kills, but it is close. The Fumble the movie made would be all the filler scenes, and I know it’s a movie but their isn’t much realism in the film. What I mean is with all the shooting and action that goes on is broad daylight their isn’t one cop that is in a scene throughout the whole film and sirens are only heard during the last scene but never seen.

Game Summary – The Mechanic is a Remake of a 1972 film of the same name. I haven’t seen the original but this version is very rewarding in the way they mix action with drama and put an emphasis on acting. In most action films acting is a by-product but they chose to bring it to the forefront which is a nice mix to see. Statham and Foster both deliver good performances which both need something different. Statham is a loner and wants to help his mentor’s son get revenge while Foster is careless and unforgiving but is looking for something to fill the gap his father never filled.