Geekscape Movie Reviews: The Mechanic

So you think this another Jason Statham blow-em up film?  You saw the trailer, and made up your opinion?  So why you reading this review?

Maybe there’s a part of you that wants it to be more than just another Transporter or Crank film?  Sure you love the crazy chase scenes, the explosions, the impossible stunts that defy belief, but wouldn’t it be so much more satisfying if the story was good too? 

What if I told you, it was?

Jason Statham stars as Arthur Bishop, a specialized hitman known as a Mechanic with an expertise for getting the job done.  Sound familiar?  I know… but there’s more.

This film actually has some gravitas and can be described as a character  / action film, something we haven’t seen from Statham except as part of an ensemble cast like Snatch.  Donald Sutherland (The Pillars of the Earth, Invasion of the Body Snatchers) lends his acting skill as the handler, Harry, behind The Mechanic.  Harry coordinates the files that outline who’s to be taken out, and if it’s to look like an accident or send a message.  His role isn’t very big, but plays a strong part in other character motivations which accentuates the film and furthers a stronger story-line.

The actual wet work, of course, is all Bishop, ala Jason Statham, kicking ass.   He’s more than a hired thug.  He exudes business like attitude that’s all strategy and no emotion when it comes to taking out his target.  He’s the go to man when you need a certain finesse or expertise.  When the powers that be, represented by Dean (Tony Goldwyn) need his corrupt mentor Harry taken out, he’s at first unwilling but reluctantly takes the job.  The film is about the consequences of his choice and the fall-out that ensues.

Now here’s when the film achieves more than just another Statham shoot up, action film like you’ve seen from him many times.  It actually has characters that are interesting and posses’ valid motivations albeit morally terrible but it’s a fantasy, so what do you expect.

In comes Ben Foster (30 Days of Night, X-Men; The Last Stand) a main part of why the film works, who plays the   bad news son, Steve McKenna,  who has led an empty life with no real accomplishment.  Director Simon West (Lara Croft Tomb Raider, Con Air, and the recent pilot on tv The Cape) takes his movie in an unusual direction, by having his lead actor and star, Statham take a back seat during act 2 to allow more character development  from Harper as Steve, and in doing so creates a desirable balance of action, story, and character. 

Because we get to see a lot of McKenna and what he’s capable of, you can’t help but wonder how he’s going to interact with the more methodological and unfeeling Bishop.  McKenna is determined to be a hitman one way or another and when he attempts his first target we get to see how he compares, which plays out as one of the most visceral fight scenes I’ve witnessed in a film the last few years.  People in the theater were reacting like it was really happening by swaying and jerking as if they were part of the action.  One character falls off a building and when he hits the ground people all around jumped in the audience making it even more cool and another reason to see it in the theater.

Worth mentioning is that you rarely see a lead actor who is willing to give up so much screen time to a supporting (and less popular) actor.  Wisely Statham by doing so, helped to achieve a much stronger film and deserves credit where you wouldn’t see this normally occur in a big budget, action film.

Bishop feels a certain reluctant responsibility in mentoring Steve (whom he left fatherless).  Ok, again, you think you’ve seen this story, and maybe you did back in the early 70’s starring Charles Bronson but because Harper is so good as the protégé, he makes this movie worthwhile.  It’s a stand out performance that takes this film to a higher level.  Yes, there are lots of action sequences and amazing camera shots that have become a Statham trademark, but Foster takes it to another level.

Tony Goldwyn (Ghost, Sixth Day) plays Dean, the company man and go between that represents paying clients and hitman like Bishop.  We’ve seen him in bit roles for many years but as Dean, he has one of the best lines I’ve heard in awhile… “ I am going to put a price so high on your head, that when you look in the mirror, you are going to want to shoot yourself.”  I’m sure critics who don’t like the movie will have fun using that, but I’m a fan and had a great time seeing this film in a theater and look forward to my friends seeing it this weekend.

Yes, we see Statham kicks some serious ass in this movie (I’ve said that a few times), which is about par for him but The Mechanic is definitely his best one to date.  It’s not that he suddenly becomes a better actor or performs cooler stunts, only that the story is stronger and his supporting cast, especially Harper, round out a better quality of film than we usually see from him.  If you’re already a fan, you will surely enjoy this film.   It’s not going to make a Criterion list, but who cares, it’s fun.