The Hitman's Bodyguard

For professional Bodyguard Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds), life is good. As an elite member of his craft, he is well paid and lives a very good life keeping high-profile targets safe the world over. When things unexpectedly take a turn we find Michael two years on having hit the skids and struggling to claw his way back to prominence in the new film “The Hitman’s Bodyguard”. Things become complicated for Michael as a despotic tyrant named Dukhovich (Gary Oldman) is on trial for war crimes and countless atrocities, and is about to go free due to removing all those who would be able to testify against him with credible evidence.  That is with the exception of one Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson).  Darius is incarcerated but makes a deal to testify in exchange for his wife (Selma Hayek), being granted freedom.  Darius knows he is a marked man but takes the chance and under the watch of Interpol Agent Roussel (Elodie Yung), they set off. Naturally things do not go as planned and the two find themselves fleeing for their lives with numerous deadly assassins hot on their heels.  Unsure who she can trust, Roussel calls in Michael even though they have some seriously unresolved issues about one another that destroyed their previous relationship. Further complicating matters is the history Michael and Darius share which makes them naturally hostile to one another. Nevertheless, Michael and Darius set off to reach the courtroom but the imposed deadline and face numerous dangers and hilarious situations along the way. Jackson and Reynolds work very well with one another and their banter and chiding comes across as very natural.  The jokes come more often than I expected but the film is very much an action film, and the sequences are intense, funny, and gripping, especially and extended chase and fight sequence along the canals and shopping district of Amsterdam. While some may say that the film is just a variation on the Buddy Cop genre of old, the strong cast and the winning mix of jokes and action make the film a very pleasant surprise and one of my more enjoyable films of 2017. It was a highly-enjoyable thrill ride and one of the best films this summer. If you are a fan of action, comedies, and the pairing of Jackson and Reynolds, do not miss this film. 4 stars out of 5.

**Once upon a time two sworn enemies teamed up!** Maybe the critics are right, but like usual, I don't have to agree with them. This is a nice film, not a great film as a few people lauding. It is entertaining. All the stunts were good, comedies were good enough, but the basic plot itself a cliche. Yes, anybody aged 20+ would surely have seen many similar storied films. It's just in another time with another cast and crew. They had promoted it so well. So the result was incredible. But in reality JUST one time watchable film with not expecting serious laughs. Initially I thought it could be this year's 'The Nice Guys', and they are about to repeat the same magic of Crowe and Gosling duo. But it was different. Too hard hitting, just what Tarantino fans would like to have. Besides, their guy, Samuel L. Jackson is here. Both the leads were good. That does not mean they have saved the film. That's an assumption of fanboys. Luck could be another factor! It was about a hitman in capture decides to give an important testimony in the International Criminal Court against a powerful man. So now the bad guys are after him in his every move from England to Holland. A demoted bodyguard takes the job to safely get him to his destination. Their journey begins where they are going to encounter a series of obstacles and they finally make it where a major twist comes in before the end. As I said, this is no special, except the way they have presented on the screen makes the difference. But again, not all films are lucky in that criteria as this one. It is like one in a 20-25 films. So if your objective is timepass, then this will do just fine. There could be a sequel, probably prequel seems a nice idea. But I'm not sure whether I want it or not. I'll just be happy if they do! _7/10_

“Kincaid” (Samuel L. Jackson) is slated to give crucial evidence against Belorussian megalomaniac “Dukhovich” (Gary Oldman) who is in custody in Holland but who has every intention of wiping out this witness. Meantime, AAA private security man “Bryce” (Ryan Reynolds) has been drafted in to escort this man to the court, preferably alive, and so the scene is set. The pair aren’t exactly pals, but when the dastardly “Ivan” (Yuri Kolokolnikov) and his henchmen start to take potshots at them, leaving carnage behind them in London and Amsterdam, our duo have to get their act together and start co-operating else they will be toast. There’s a good chemistry here between these two and for about an hour the dialogue is lively and sarcastically entertaining as they leap from frying pan to fire. Then, though, the thing starts to recycle itself and look like an edition of Ryan and Sam wreck Europe. There are loads of pyrotechnics, car chases, shoot ‘em ups and I’m not sure the canals have seen quite so much action since “Mrs. Whistler” went one-way diving in 1971. It delivers what it says in the tin; allows two charismatic gents to have some fun proving their own immortality whilst getting frequently drenched in ketchup and sugar glass and if you are just looking for a couple of hours of high-octane entertainment then this won’t let you down.