THE HITMAN'S BODYGUARD

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THE HITMAN'S BODYGUARD movie poster
An International Court of Justice trial to convict vicious dictator Vladislav Dukhovich (Gary Oldman) needs the testimony of notorious hitman Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson). Interpol agent Amelia Roussel (Elodie Yung) has the dangerous job of getting Kincaid from England to the Hague trial. But there's a mole in her office and the only person she can trust is ex-boyfriend Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds), an expert bodyguard. The hitman and bodyguard are mortal enemies and must work together to overcome all of the obstacles in their way.

Non-stop mayhem and witty banter give this familiar plot an entertaining lift. This movie rests squarely on the shoulders of its
two stars. Samuel L. Jackson and Ryan Reynolds make a dynamic duo. They are easy to warm up to and make you want to see more adventures with their characters. This energetic addition to the reluctant buddy genre has more than its share of silly car chases, gun fights and explosions. It's best not to think about the details - just chow down on some popcorn and enjoy. Director Patrick Hughes ("The Expendables 3") gets the most out of his stars and writer Tom O'Connor's generic script. He's wise enough to let Jackson and Reynolds carry the load. When the cameras are off the pair, only the hilarious Salma Hayek rises to the occasion as Kincaid's fierce wife Sonia. The foul-mouthed love of Kincaid's life is behind bars and her release is the only reason he agrees to testify. Gary Oldman does manage to look menacing as the villain. Some nice location scenery from London to the Hague by cinematographer Jules O'Loughlin and Atli Örvarsson's rousing Bond-style music score add a touch of class to the production. Stick around through the credits for an amusing outtake and to hear Samuel L. Jackson sing his own original, nomination-worthy song "Nobody Gets Out Alive". Action, humor and the stars' chemistry keep "The Hitman's Bodyguard" on target. (3 CAMS)


Rated R (strong violence and language throughout)
Running Time: 118 minutes

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