If you thought the gun-filled poster of “The Mechanic” advertised a movie about some guy who repairs firearms, you’re wrong. With exciting car chases, fighting and other forms of violence, the film delves into the world of a super assassin.
Arthur Bishop (Jason Statham), the titular master hit man, has killed countless people, and he’s good at it. His cool, detached dedication to his job shows when he kills his mentor Harry McKenna (Donald Sutherland) without as much as a blink. McKenna’s death leaves his only son Steve (Ben Foster) in emotional and financial wreckage. To make up for his actions, lone-wolf Arthur decides to take Steve as an apprentice and teaches him the ways of his “clean” killing philosophy.
“The Mechanic” is definitely a treat for action fans. It encompasses all necessary elements of a good action movie – weapons, explosions and, of course, lots and lots of tough guys with inhuman gun and fighting skills executing coldhearted kills. The film is a great adrenaline rush, especially toward the end of the movie when the blood and gore factor is especially pronounced. With blood spilling around, Arthur and Steve demonstrate the copious ways a human can die. While they may not be aesthetically pleasing, the fights onscreen definitely get your heart pumping.
A perfect fit for his role, Stratham has made a name for himself playing the leads in countless action-packed, testosterone-filled B-movies. He captures the audience here with his charisma, portraying the cool but conflicted Arthur with a brooding reticence. Likewise, Foster, best known as Angel in “X-Men: The Last Stand,” works well with Stratham as the black sheep and unruly gunman.
However, the directing methods and cookie-cutter plot detract from the strong performances. Scene transitions could’ve been smoother, storylines more convincing – the ease with which Steve trains to become an assassin is a bit eyebrow raising. 2008’s “Wanted” with Angelina Jolie did a much better job in those respects.
As far as cool, mindless fun goes, “The Mechanic” certainly fits the bill.