Movie Review: The Mechanic

Last night Joe and I went to see The Mechanic, a shoot 'em up action flick starring Jason Statham and Ben Foster. Jason Statham has been involved in several quality movies like Snatch and Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, but mostly what you need to know about him, in case you don't know, is that he is very attractive with an amazing body, is very handy with a gun and plays stoic better than anyone. I first became aware of Foster during his brilliant run in Six Feet Under as Claire's boyfriend Russell. He followed that up with Alpha Dog where he played a fantastically evil hot head. He is one of those actors that seems like he might actually be as ruthless as the characters he plays, yet is still completely likable.

The Mechanic is a story about an elite hit man, Statham, who takes an angry young man, Foster, under his wing, teaching him the ways of creatively killing so that it looks like an accident. Statham is as stoic and manly as ever and predictably, Foster plays angry with a side of rage better than anyone in recent years. It would seem that this would be just an average movie, but I actually really enjoyed it. Foster is so likeable, balancing crazy with funny and tender that I actually shed a tear in one of his scenes. Nobody plays Statham like Statham but he is starting to show a soft side in his characters that give them a little more roundness. The fight shots are amazingly graphic so be prepared for that. I don't know if my expectations were low or I just was in the mood for a good killing story, but I absolutely enjoyed this movie. Oscar nomination it will probably never see, but if you have two hours and want to fill it with an action movie with lots of blood and a bit of heart, The Mechanic is the choice for you.