The Hitman's Bodyguard

"My job is to keep you out of harm's way."

"I am harm's way."

Michael Bryce (Reynolds) is a professional bodyguard.  After a high profile customer was killed while under his protection, he lost the coveted Triple-A rating.  Now he protects sleazy executives and hates his life.

Vladislav Dukhovich (Oldman), the former dictator of Belarus, is on trial for numerous crimes.  The prosecution cannot produce solid evidence of his crimes and all of their witnesses are murdered or too afraid to testify.  Their last resort is incarcerated hitman Darius Kincaid (Jackson).  He agrees to testify, in exchange for the release of his wife Sonia (Hayek), who is in a Dutch prison.  Kincaid is placed under the protection of Interpol agent Amelia Roussel (Yung).

After her team is murdered, Roussel hires Bryce to protect Kincaid.  Bryce and Kincaid hate each other, but are forced to work together to stay ahead of Dukhovich's men.  Can they make it to the trial in time?

I had no intention to see this film.  Stars Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson are known for their expletive-heavy films, and putting them in the same film just felt like a recipe for extraneous cursing.  It seemed like a action/violence-heavy film with little to no substance, and I didn't need to know more.  But a friend liked the trailer and convinced me to watch... and I was pleasantly surprised.

The Good:

Reynolds and Jackson have great chemistry and the film comes alive when they are on screen together.  They have good moments on their own, but the funniest exchanges/moments happen when it's just them on the screen.  Gary Oldman is a terrific villain, evil and conniving, and gives a strong performance.  He doesn't share much screen time with the leads, but he keeps the rest of the story interesting.  Salma Hayek makes the most of her few scenes: she is memorable and funny, and you want her to be reunited with Jackson just to see what will happen next.  It is an action-comedy, and doesn't skew too far in either director.  There is plenty of action and stunt work, and it is consistently funny.

The Bad:

Entirely too much cursing.  Some gory violence.  Lots of action tropes.

Other Comments:

-The story keeps you engaged... it won't win any awards, but it there is some substance.

-I enjoyed the film, but wouldn't recommend it.  It was fine, but I don't feel the need to see it again.

-They are making a sequel, The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard, to be released in 2021.  Reynolds, Jackson, and Hayek are all returning, along with director Patrick Hughes.

The Hitman's Bodyguard (2017) 118 minutes

Rating: R for strong violence and language throughout

Director: Patrick Hughes

Starring: Ryan Reynolds as Michael Bryce

Samuel L. Jackson as Darius Kincaid

Gary Oldman as Vladislav Dukhovich

Salma Hayek as Sonia Kincaid

Elodie Yung as Amelia Roussel

Joaquim de Almeida as Jean Foucher

Walking on Sunshine (2014)

Taylor (Arterton) fell in love in Puglia, Italy, but left her love to go college.  Three years later she returns to Puglia to visit her free-spirit sister, Maddie (Scholey).  Maddie has a surprise: she's getting married in a few days, after a whirlwind romance.  The groom, Raf (Berruti), is Taylor's old beau and love of her life.  Taylor and Raf are shocked by the revelation, but agree to keep it a secret from Maddie.

Things are further complicated by the appearance of Maddie's ex, Doug (Wise), who she still loves.  With their friends, Lil (Brand), Elena (Lewis), Mikey (Kirrane), and Enriceo (Corso) stuck in the middle, can both sisters get what they want?

This jukebox musical breathes new life into popular songs from the 1980s with a lush setting.  I've been interested in this film since I poster and trailer.  I love musicals and this looked like a blast.

The Good:

The soundtrack is filled with hits from the 1980's, all sung with gusto.  The cast, other than Leona Lewis, are not professional singers, and most don't have dance training, but it works.  The title song, "Walking on Sunshine" is probably the best production, takes place at a tomato festival and you can tell that everyone is having a blast.

The Bad:

The story is rough.  And most of the side characters are not fully formed, just focused on a single trait.  The actors are fine, but don't have much to work with.

Other Comments:

-They take inspiration from the 80's music for the hen and stag parties.  For the hen party, they are dressed as classic Madonna, Tina Turner, and Whitney Houston.  The stag party is Adam Ant, George Michael, and Meat Loaf.

-The setting is gorgeous and everything looks good, even the characters in their worst moments.

-This is Lewis' acting debut... she's fine, but not great.

-Greg Wise is known for playing charming scoundrels, and is entertaining here.

-Many critics compare the film to Mamma Mia... it's an obvious comparison, but unnecessary.  It's an obvious comparison, but unnecessary and a disservice to both films.

-It has an obvious conclusion, but it does take a few little turns (not everyone is coupled up at the end).

-It is a mindless summer flick with a great soundtrack.  If you take it as such, it's an enjoyable ride with some laughs and heartache.  I fully enjoyed the ride.

Walking on Sunshine (2014) 97 minutes

Director: Max Giwa & Dania Pasquini

Starring: Annabel Scholey as Maddie

Hannah Arterton as Taylor

Giulio Berruti as Raf

Greg Wise as Doug

Katy Brand as Lil

Leona Lewis as Elena

Danny Kirrane as Mikey

Giulio Corso as Enrico

Tiziana Schiavarelli as Tiziana