The Hitman’s Bodyguard – Review

The Hitman’s Bodyguard (2017)
R | 1h 58min | Action, Comedy | 18 August 2017 (USA)

Synopsis: The world’s top bodyguard gets a new client, a hit man who must testify at the International Court of Justice. They must put their differences aside and work together to make it to the trial on time.

Review: I was concerned about this movie for a few reasons. It could have gone a few different directions and although the cast are Hollywood elite I wasn’t sure how they would play together or if they could get out of their cliche safe houses. After a few moments into the film I could tell that theses characters were no big stretch but at the same time the writing fit them like a glove. This combined with the non stop action and buddy humor made it a top film for fun adventure.

Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds) is on the skids after his elite bodyguard business took a few hits. He is OCD and very by the book when it comes to planning and taking care of his clients. This makes him the best; except for that one time he wasn’t. When an ex girlfriend (Elodie Yung) calls on him to help her deliver a key witness to trial it might put him back on top or get him killed. Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson) is a fly by his pants assassin who needs to stay alive long enough to spill the beans on a ruthless dictator (Gary Oldman). Kincaid and Bryce become the action odd couple of the year and if they don’t kill each other they might just pull this off.

The writing is perfect for this type of film. Lots of wit and back and worth verbal jabs fill in the gaps when the bullets aren’t flying. And man do the bullets fly. The only thing that outnumbers the ammo is the use of the F-Word by Jackson. Just stop counting it is a lost cause. The action is great but be sure you check plausibility at the door. The film is the typical process where 20 bad guys can’t hit the good guy with 1000 rounds of fire but the good guy only needs one shot to escape. If you can get past that you will really find it to be fun and adventurous.

Another thing that works with the script is how it gets deep without getting too serious. Bryce is having female troubles and Kincaid is more than willing to help him that department. Darius is madly in love with his wife Sonia Kincaid (Salma Hayek) and their relationship is more than unconventional. Their backstory alone would make a movie all on its own.

THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD is in the vein of Lethal Weapon and Rush Hour in the fact that Kincaid and Bryce are the perfect buddy movie action couple. The difference in their style and approach to the business work together greatly. So much so that I would love to see them in a sequel; and this after going in with very deep concerns. The film is rated R for strong violence and language throughout. Very adult in content and humor but at the same time it is not low brow. The wit is organic and though sometimes predictable it was delivered fantastically. I give it 3.75 out of 5 shoulder holsters, m*&h#r F*c*&r! A surprise hit of the year for sure.