Jason Statham willingly surrenders to the excellent action scenes of David Ayer, to whom we have to thank Suicide Squad: The Mission as well as the scenario of the first Fast and dangerous.
We love Jason Statham for his ability to get out of any situation, even the most incredible, thanks to his fists – think Crinqué – or to play characters who are on the edge of the law but whose code of honor demands respect – just think of that Transporter.
The Brit is now a regular in the Fast and Furious series and unfortunately disappointed in Fast His return in fine form (Jason Statham is still 56, remember) in The Guardian is therefore good news and the always effective one Production by David Ayer benefits him in every way.
Josh Hutcherson is Derek Danforth in The Guardian. Photo Daniel Smith/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc./Amazon MGM Studios film
The feature's premise doesn't lack interest, even if the premise is a bit high. Adam Clay (Jason Statham) is a beekeeper and has taken a liking to Eloise Parker (Phylicia Rashad, who we definitely don't see enough of), a retired professor. But now she falls victim to a very elaborate phishing scam (one of the best scenes in the film) and loses all her savings, her retirement… and the $2 million from the charity she cares for. She then ends her life in despair. And Clay vows to avenge them by uncovering the culprits, as our man is actually a former member of the Beekeepers (literally “the beekeepers”), a kind of secret intelligence agency.
Emmy Raver-Lampman as Verona Parker in the film “The Guardian”. Photo Daniel Smith/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc./Amazon MGM Studios film
As in any good action film, the villains are painted with broad brushstrokes without nuance, although we do appreciate the presence of the exquisite and ambiguous Jeremy Irons as Wallace Westwyld, former head of the CIA and patriarch of a somewhat outdated Danforth operation. Jemma Redgrave is hardly portrayed as a fake American president, whose responses to her son, the evil Derek (Josh Hutcherson), ring as hollow as Donald Trump's tirades. As for the other female characters, we can only regret their uselessness.
Jeremy Irons as Wallace Westwyld in The Watchman. Photo Daniel Smith/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc./Amazon MGM Studios film
But one must not forget that the dialogue in an action film is only incidental and only serves as a link to the violent moments. The stunts and killings are nailed perfectly in The Guardian, and that's something to keep in mind as you watch the feature film.
Rating: 3 out of 5
The Guardian will be in cinemas across the province from January 12th.