FilmSnobReviews

Title: The Hitman’s Bodyguard
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Patrick Hughes
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek
Runtime: 1 hr 58 mins

What It Is: When the former dictator of Belarus Vladislav Dukhovich (Gary Oldman) goes on trial for his crimes against his constituents he’s had most of the people who could say anything against him murdered. When a hitman named Darius Kincaid (Jackson) serving life in prison could possibly reveal incriminating information they release him for only the time needed. When NATO is compromised from within the agent in charge Amelia Roussel (Elodie Yung) looks to her ex-boyfriend and formerly disgraced bodyguard to the stars Michael Bryce (Reynolds) to get Kincaid from Manchester to Amsterdam.

What We Think: Wow. This really isn’t any good. Not only do Reynolds and Jackson just try way too hard to click the script does them absolutely no favors. Instead of trying anything new or exciting this film is a flat no good tropefest. This is the sort of thing that does no one any favors. There are moments within this that try, as previously mentioned, too hard to be funny. Everything done is by the numbers. Whether it’s Kincaid’s motive for helping, Bryce’s dislike for Roussel’s is a classic in its repetition.

Our Grade: D+, It isn’t the worst film of the year but it might be the flatest “comedy” in some time. There isn’t much I can say besides don’t see this. Don’t go near it, it isn’t any good. In fact, I’m going to give this a big ole’ CANNOT RECOMMEND. Even for the biggest fans of Deadpool, this is nothing but old hat with a few action scene thrown into the mix for good measure. Very much like another Reynolds film Self/Less this is a genre film that follows all the instructions.