Review of The Mechanic

This could almost be Transporter 4. In the original Charles Bronson was a cold killer with no conscience and few redeeming qualities. He recognised this in his protégé. In the end of that film, the apprentice kills Bronson almost as his qualifying exam.

But Stratham, bless him, must always play the hero. In this sugary remake he is still a ruthless killer, but one with a conscience. He agonises over killing his long-term friend. His targets are all terrible people. He is a goody, even if he has to coat the walls with blood to prove it. He trains up Foster, not because he sees potential, but as guilty reparation for killing his dad.

Foster, rather than killing Stratham to prove he can, kills him out of revenge. But of course, this is Hollywood and the goody can never be killed, so Stratham survives to appear in Transporter 57.

The violence is comic-book graphic, with the copious blood splatter losing its impact very quickly, and multiple car wrecks and machine-gunning going apparently unnoticed in the city centre.

It's OK for a laugh and for the stunts, and of course Stratham is eye-candy for the girls, but it's not a patch on the original.