Review of The Hitman's Bodyguard (2017) by Orlando O — 24 Aug 2017

An action buddy comedy film that pairs Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson does bring endless entertainment. For two hours of the movie seeing them nitpick at each other is a lot of fun. Plus there is a lot of action and shoot out sequences that makes the movie exciting. I did not have any expectations with this movie. The trailers made it seemed out to be a forgettable cheap action film with Ryan and Samuel making this film a cash grab. But I was wrong. It lives up to being a fun buddy comedy film and Ryan and Samuel were perfect for the roles.

I was surprised with how well the action sequences were shot. With heavy rock composing score and an exciting shoot outs and action. It kept myself engaged to the screen. The director managed to handle a good set up with the action set pieces if it was from car chases, shootouts, or even a fight scene in a hardware store with some painful looking equipment being thrown at each other. The action was plenty and it never slowed down.

Ryan Reynolds plays Michael Bryce, a bodyguard who protects some powerful clients. Until one of his clients ends up dead causing him to spiral down in his life. Until, his ex partner Amelia (Elodie Yung) needs his help in protecting Darius (Samuel L. Jackson) and keeping him alive until he testifies against Vladislav (Gary Oldman) a ruthless dictator.

Now I will say the plot may not be the strong suit in the movie. As it is predictable and dull as it sets up in the beginning of the movie. Plus there are action movies that have recycled the same idea were a person needs protection to testify and the villain sends all his goons to chase and hunt them down.

But just keeping the plot in the background and let Ryan and Samuel do their thing, as they have their own strategies on handling scenarios and situations is endless entertainment. Plus supporting roles like Salma Hayek, who plays Darius love interest was also good. Seeing a flash back of how they met in a bar and ending in bloodshed with her fighting a group of man was funny as Darius was falling in love with her. Elodie Yung was also good but she barely had much to do in the movie.

Overall, The Hit-man's Bodyguard is a good action comedy film. Samuel L. Jackson and Ryan Reynolds nailed the buddy action genre with their humor. It is funny; it did not take itself seriously which it was not suppose too. And it also has a lot of exciting action that makes the movie worth seeing. Even though, the plot was predictable and tedious, but this is one film that your paying more attention to the characters going into each action sequences and nitpicking at each other.

I will rate the film 4 out of 5 stars.