Starring: Jason Statham, Ben Foster, Donald Sutherland and Mini Anden
Distributor: Roadshow Films
Runtime: 92 mins. Reviewed in Nov 2011
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Once upon a time, British Michael Winner used to direct Charles Bronson action dramas like The Stone Killer, Chato’s Land, the Death Wish films and, in 1972, The Mechanic. But that was four decades ago. Now the sons of the original producers have decided that a remake of The Mechanic is in order and desirable, the original having achieved some cult status among the fans of the 70s actioners.
The Mechanic is someone who fixes problems. But, the mechanic’s employers are in the business of business and eliminating rivals and threat. The mechanic is a hit man.
This means that this version is a 21st century, glossy ‘re-imagining’ (as they say) of how hit men work and the techniques they use to make a murder seem like an accident or a suicide. This version is so glossy and fast-moving that it could serve as a recruiting film for the profession.
It also presents its audience with something of a moral dilemma (as distinct from the problems concerning hired killers in the first place). Arthur Bishop is an absolutely ruthless hit man. But, as his story progresses and despite his protestations to the contrary, he seems to be gaining some kind of conscience and some moments of remorse. This means that he becomes something of a hero for the story, especially when his employers are unscrupulous tycoons and the son of his best friend (whom he is persuaded to kill) becomes his apprentice, a disreputable young man who is in it for anger release, some risky thrills and some revenge.
Whether the fans who will be following the set-ups and double crosses, along with the skills in murder and cover-ups, will notice the moral dilemmas is another thing.
This is compounded by the casting. Who could be Charles Bronson in the 21st century?
The man who has made a niche for himself and garnered a big group of fans is former Olympic diver, Jason Statham. From Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, through Transporter and Crank films and a lot of others to The Expendables, Statham who does not claim to be much of an actor but is quite a distinctive screen presence, finds that the Bronson mantle has fallen on him, and seems quite comfortable. Not much of a smiler, in fact not much of a user of facial expressions, he nevertheless, in his silence and abruptness, conveys the feelings of the hit man who knows he should retire and get a life.
Ben Foster (so persuasively evil in 3:10 to Yuma) has no difficulty in conveying the ambiguous character of the apprentice (played by the more genial Jan-Michael Vincent in the original). Donald Sutherland is the father and Tony Goldwyn (so effective as the villain in Ghost twenty years ago) is the ruthless boss.
The film achieves what it sets out to do, tell a moral tale about amoral characters without providing easy answers and peppering it with action and hit men activity along the way.
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