The Hitman’s Bodyguard: The Dynamic Duo in a Not-So-Dynamic Plot

“The Hitman’s Bodyguard” puts a bodyguard and a hitman together for a corrosion of action and comedy. The story follows Ryan Reynolds’ character, Michael Bryce, an ex-top-tier bodyguard who’s hit rough times after failing to protect a client two years ago. Bryce is soon contacted by Interpol Agent Amelia Roussel, played by Elodie Yung, and brought in to guard and escort an essential witness for a trial. However, there are two major problems.

The first problem: the witness Bryce is guarding turns out to be a hitman he’s had multiple and deadly encounters with in the past named Darius Kincaid, played by Samuel L. Jackson. The second problem: Kincaid is a key witness in a case against a ruthless Belarus dictator named Vladislav Dukhovich, played by Gary Oldman. Dukhovich is on trial at the International Court of Justice for horrific crimes against his people, but the dictator intends to use everything in his power to ensure that the bodyguard and the hitman don’t make it to court. Together, the duo must put aside their differences and put their skills to the test in order to survive Dukhovich’s mercenaries. So long as the two don’t kill each other beforehand.

As far as comedy goes, the highlight of the movie comes from the banter and chemistry between Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson. Both actors have been in enough action and comedy films that they’ve had time to perfect their timing and deliveries. Fans of either actor will enjoy their scenes; whether it’s shooting their guns off at the bad guys or shooting their mouths off at each other. Unfortunately, that’s really all “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” has to offer.

The overall film ranges from okay to passable. It’s not bad enough to poke holes or bash at, nor good enough to praise or instigate thought provoking conversation. The whole movie is like a bag of potato chips. It’s cheap, it’s short, it’s not good for you, but it’ll kill some time and fill you up until your next flick.

“The Hitman’s Bodyguard” is rated R for strong violence and language. This is the kind of film I’d only recommend if you’re bored on a weekend with nothing better to do. If you’re looking for a film that has Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson teaming up to kill bad guys in shootouts, high-speed chases, and sharing some occasional humorous banter, then “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” will give you that. The final score is a 6.5 out of 10.

Marco Island resident and avid moviegoer, Matthew Mendisana is a Lynn University alumnus. While he possesses a bachelor’s degree in science, it’s the arts that attracted his attention. In his four years at Lynn, Matthew managed to achieve Magna Cum Laude status, earn three publications in the Lynn University magazine, make a short documentary featured in the university’s Film Festival, and created a radio PSA that was later broadcasted overseas.