Year of Release: 2021
Director: Patrick Hughes
Screenplay: Tom O'Connor, Brandon Murphy, Philip Murphy
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek, Antonio Banderas, Frank Grillo, Morgan Freeman, Richard E. Grant
Running Time: 100 minutes
Genre: Action, comedy
Former bodyguard Michael Bryce (Reynolds), whose license has been suspended, takes a sabbatical on advice of his therapist. However, his rest is soon ruined when he is contacted by Sonia Kincaid (Hayek), the wife of hitman Darius Kincaid (Jackson). The three soon find themselves caught up in a plot to destroy the power grid and infrastructure of the whole of Europe.
I have not seen The Hitman's Bodyguard (2017), so I can't say how good a sequel this is. It is basically a blend of James Bond-style spy thriller, action and comedy and it really doesn't always hold together. It's often funny, and the three leads have real chemistry together, and are all talented comedy performers, but there really is nothing novel or original here. Despite not being a long film, it still feels stretched, jokes are repeated, and the frequent action setpieces, while well-staged, were old hat back in the 1980s. There is also a problem with tone, where it does touch on the sanctions imposed by the European Union against Greece, and the very real problems going on there, but it doesn't fit with the goofy tone of the rest of there film. Also the frequent violence is surprisingly sadistic. Given the comedic nature of the film it is really quite graphic. Antonio Banderas has some good moments as the villain of the piece, despite a ridiculous hairpiece, Frank Grillo plays an obnoxious American Interpol agent who really doesn't do much except yell at people and insult his Scottish translator (Alice McMillan), but Morgan Freeman is very funny, and there are appearances from British TV comedy star Rebecca Front as Bryce's therapist, and Richard E. Grant and Gary Oldman appear in small roles. If you are a fan, or really seen any of this type of film, then you will have seen this all before, but is is enjoyable enough, and there are some laughs to be had. It will find it's rightful place in a few months time on late night TV.
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