Movie: Mechanic: Resurrection
Direction: Dennis Gansel
Cast: Jason Statham, Jessica Alba, Tommy Lee Jones, Michelle Yeoh, Sam Hazeldine, Rhatha Phongam, Natalie Burn
Music: Mark Isham
Cinematographer: Daniel Gottschalk
Editor: Michael Duthie, Todd E Miller, Ueli Christen
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
Rating: ∗∗½
What is it about: This film serves as sequel to the 2011 film “The Mechanic”. Arthur Bishop (Jason Statham) who retires being a contract killer is forced by his most imposing foe to complete three assassinations because Bishop’s love Gina (Jessica Alba) is held hostage. This sequel is directed by Dennis Gansel.
Why it’s disappointing: The film has nothing new to offer, a template Hollywood director build around Jason Statham. This sequel unlike its predecessor has a meagre plot and looks kind of inspired by “Killer Elite”.
And it feels like you’re playing an action video game, the lead goes to one spot kill’s one target then the other and goes on. The VFX supporting the action sequences were quite weak. When Jason is playing the lead, he’s very much capable of doing great stunts without the help of camera tricks. The cinematography was too shaky and hard to follow.
The film starts off with a good feel, you start to trust in the director but unfortunately dives in to clichés.
Then its Jessica Alba a casting not required for this film, any actress would have done the job. Why bring her back after a long gap and cast in a film which doesn’t give room for her performance and the chemistry was off between Jason and Jessica.
Michelle Yeoh, it took some time for me to sink in to the thought of her in this film. Why she? That too in a role which was so less of importance. Disappointed seeing her in this film.
The rest of the cast wasn’t great either, the supporting cast was equally disappointing giving you a feel of “B” grade Hollywood flick.
What to watch out for: One main reason you can sit through this “Resurrection” is Jason Statham and his action prowess. That’s his forte and he can play that hands down. He was good at what he does best and tries to drag this film forward on his shoulders.
Then it was the editing which was sharp by Michael Duthie, Todd E. Miller & Ueli Christen.
Finally the action sequences, which were meticulously choreographed suiting the style of Jason and the methods used in the film to take down the targets were impressive.
Verdict: Dennis Gansel couldn’t keep up with the predecessor, he presented a feature which was high on action but low on content. He totally banked on it, which made this Mechanic ineffective. Can watch it once for the action.
