Swanner: Ryan Reynolds stars as Michael Bryce, an international bodyguard who has been forced to protect Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson), a notorious hit-man who has agreed to testify against Vladislav Dukhovich (Gary Oldman,) a brutal eastern European dictator. Bryce needs to transport Kincaid from England to Amsterdam with every bad guy in Europe trying to stop them from completing their trip. With all that being said, The Hitman’s Bodyguard is a comedy and a very funny one at that.
Director Patrick Hughes delivers a film that may offer a very big dramatic storyline but is filled with big laughs and action galore. I also enjoyed Tom O’Connor’s script, which comes to life thanks to the great chemistry of the two leads. Some people will probably look at the film as being unrealistic with it’s huge body count and snappy comebacks, but they do need to remember, it’s an action comedy. It’s suppose to be big and silly. I use this term a lot but this is a popcorn movie. It’s a well made popcorn movie.
I’ve always been a fan of Jackson and Reynolds in their comedy work. Jackson’s Django Unchained and Kingsman character show not only how versatile he is, but his brilliance. Whether a good guy or a bad guy, he’ll make you laugh. Give him a role and he’ll run with it. Ryan Reynolds, on the other hand, usually plays the handsome leading man. In Deadpool he proved he’s not just another pretty face. Salma Hayek, who plays Jackson’s wife, is also noteworthy. She gives terrific performance that reminds me of Marisa Tomei in My Cousin Vinny, and we know where that lead. If the trailer made you laugh then you’re in for a good time.
Swanner: 3 stars