Samuel L. Jackson & Ryan Reynolds (r) star in The Hitman's Bodyguard |
Boring Isn't Always Best
Rotten Tomatoes Plot: The world's top protection agent (Ryan Reynolds) is called upon to guard the life of his mortal enemy, one of the world's most notorious hitmen (Samuel L. Jackson.) The relentless bodyguard and manipulative assassin have been on the opposite end of the bullet for years, and are thrown together for a wildly outrageous 24 hours. During their raucous and hilarious adventure from England to the Hague, they encounter high-speed car chases, outlandish boat escapades and a merciless Eastern European dictator (Gary Oldman) who is out for blood. Salma Hayek joins the mayhem as Jackson's equally notorious wife. Directed by Patrick Hughes.
The Hitman's Bodyguard has two things going for it... Sam Jackson & Ryan Reynolds, two of Hollywood's most bankable/likable stars. Normally, that would be enough to spell box office success (with a capital $) but 118 minutes is a long time to fill, and director Hughes (The Expendables 3) clearly has no idea of how to do it. Evidently three years of film school taught him how to take a Black List script and smother it in profanity and formulaic, mind-numbing acts of action/violence. What a shame, given Jackson & Reynold's comedic chemistry (and a dynamite cameo by Hayek.)
Grade: D+