Jason Statham returns as Arthur Bishop, in this sequel to The Mechanic. In The Mechanic: Resurrection, Bishop has faked his own death in the hopes of living a quiet life in Rio. As you know, however, it never works out that way. Someone is always looking for you and willing to go to any lengths to get what they want. Needless to say, he is cornered in his favorite bistro, but manages to escape Bishop-style. He goes to a sanctuary owned by his friend Mae, played by Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger/Hidden Dragon and Tomorrow Never Dies), to put the pieces together and try to figure out who is looking for him and why.
Queue up the typical beautiful young woman/love interest, Gina played by Jessica Alba. Needless to say that between Statham and Alba they’ve got the gorgeous couple look on lock. Mae discovers that Gina is being beaten and begs Bishop to help her out. Being the gentleman that he is, while his instincts are screaming no, he goes ahead anyway and rescues the damsel in distress by killing her tormentor.
It turns out Gina is working for the enemy against her will and together they must find a way out. Not a particularly original theme, but let’s roll with it.
Great movie moments:
The movie scenery is absolutely breathtaking. While some of the footage is shot with green-screen (watch the extras at the end of the movie), the water is bluer than blue, the palm trees are swaying in the breeze and the whole scene is calling for an instant vacation.
Statham is unparalleled in the action department. He may be getting older, but his kicks are just as high and he continues to dominate in the non-stop action department.
Three words for you…Tommy Lee Jones… a great actor, but his name belongs in the great and not-so great section. Great because he is star quality, but the weird hippy-vibe was a little off-putting.
Not-so-great movie moments:
Sorry, but the story line is a snoozer. The romance rockets from zero to 60 plus in a matter of seconds. There is no connecting the dots, it makes no sense. I also didn’t particularly feel much chemistry between Alba and Statham, she seemed a little too young for the part.
Die hard Statham fans may be a little more forgiving and willing to accept the action in lieu of a story.
I give this movie a 2 out of 5 stars (mainly because I am a Statham fan).
Details
Director: Dennis Gansel (We Are the Night and The Wave)
Rating R: Definitely not for the story line, but the violence, intimate scenes and language.
Running time: 98 minutes
You can purchase Mechanic: Resurrection
I paid for the movie ticket with my own funds have not been compensated for this review.
