Review: The Hitman’s Bodyguard

Ryan Reynolds plays a proudly proficient protective services agent (i.e. a bodyguard) whose impeccable record ends up with one very, very bad black mark on it. A couple of years later his ex-wife (Elodie Yung, tedious) throws him a bone just as he’s at pretty much his lowest. She’s an Interpol agent and needs his help in taking a vital witness (Samuel L. Jackson) safely across Europe to meet a court date to testify against vicious dictator Gary Oldman. Oldman has already sent his goons to mow everyone down at the safe house, with Yung and Jackson the only survivors. The twist here? Jackson is a prolific hitman who has even attempted to end Reynolds’ life on multiple occasions. Multiple meaning 28 occasions. Needless to say this is going to be one seriously disagreeable pair of reluctant partners as they shoot, punch, and maniacally drive their way to court. If they don’t make it there, it might be because of their homicidal hatred of one another, rather than external forces. Salma Hayek is Jackson’s pissed-off ex, and Richard E. Grant is a drugged-out former client of Reynolds’ at the start of the film.

Although I’m ultimately giving it a recommendation, I probably liked this 2017 old-school action-comedy from Aussie director Patrick Hughes (“Red Hill”, “The Expendables 3”) more because of what it represents, rather than its execution. Scripted by Tom O’Connor (the underwhelming “Fire With Fire”), It amused me, but I don’t think it’s ultimately a particularly memorable example of its chosen action subgenre. Set your expectations to mild, and you’ll probably find this an amusing diversion for a couple of hours. I wish it were more than that (and I wish it had a faster pace), but it’s just fine the way it is. Only just though. That parody poster is hilarious, however and it’s certainly preferable to “The Long Kiss Goodnight” or any of the “Rush Hour” films.

Early on a bugged-out (and coked-out) Richard E. Grant is cast to his best advantage since “L.A. Story”, and similarly Salma Hayek gets one of her more amusing roles of late too. It’s a shame neither sticks around terribly long, because in particular a foul-mouth Hayek busting everyone’s balls is a hoot. On that note, Gary Oldman gives for me (i.e. Someone who isn’t a fan), one of his better performances, but he too is ultimately not in the film enough. Well, actually he is seen throughout, but it’s only in the early stages that he’s actually given anything of interest to say or do. So that’s a shame. I can’t believe I’m saying this, especially when the film is probably a bit long, but…I wish there were more Gary Oldman in this film. Having him spend most of his moments on screen on trial means that his scenes slow things down while outside no-namers are getting shot up instead.

Although he’s no Stallone or Arnold, Ryan Reynolds is well-cast too. So far as action heroes go, he’s sarcastic, amusing, relatable, and decent enough in the action department. Is Samuel L. Jackson slightly too old for his role here? Yep. Is the man clearly having fun anyway? Yep. Although he’s pretty much the coolest guy alive (or at least the coolest 69 year-old alive) Samuel L. Jackson plays annoying (and possibly demented) very well here. He’s the film’s Charles Grodin or Joe Pesci to Reynolds’ Robert De Niro/Mel Gibson, and it works. Reynolds deserves part of the credit for being a suitable foil, though. He’s not a straight man as such, but he’s certainly irritable to Jackson’s irritating. They make this film what it is, more than the script itself does. The comedy overall isn’t often gut-busting, but the highlight would probably be a flashback to when Jackson and Hayek met at a bar, and putting thugs into MMA submissions set to Lionel Ritchie’s blind girl stalker anthem ‘Hello’. It’s hilarious. Jackson also gets a great line to a group of elderly nuns that I won’t dare spoil (Also funny? Reynolds’ own ‘meet cute’ scene set to a Foreigner classic. Yeah, that one). We also get a couple of funny vehicular moments including Jackson just shooting the airbags before Reynolds flies through the windscreen and lands on his feet like it’s nothing.

Hughes isn’t working with a great script here, but he proves himself yet again to be a capable director of action. One speedboat/car/motorbike chase in particular is quite Bond-esque. There’s also lots of shooting as well as hand-to-hand combat. In fact, the hand-to-hand stuff is probably more interesting to watch than the shooting, because when armed these guys seem so professional and immortal that any danger or suspense is alleviated. It’s not a huge problem, in fact the action is among the best thing in the film, but you do tend to notice it.

A throwback action/comedy, and a decent one at that. Possibly slightly more, but only slightly. It’s kinda fun, you just wish it were better- and much quicker-paced. Still, this felt a bit like revisiting old times and I had a solid time with it, if only just. Let’s say it’s closer to “Eraser” or “Lethal Weapon 4” than “Terminator 2: Judgement Day” or “Lethal Weapon”.

Rating: B-