A lot of factors must be accounted for when planning to kill someone. Things like time of day, weather conditions, location, what weapon to use, who to blame and when to execute the plan. The above considerations are all just part of the job for Arthur Bishop, played by Jason Statham, in CBS Films’ new hit action thriller The Mechanic.
Bishop is a hired contract-killer known for his ‘clean’ crafted assassinations. Being the best in the business forces the tradesmen to give up some of the many amenities that the rest of the world enjoys like companionship or a family. Arthur’s next target, though, happens to be his handler; a man who he has grown to have a minute connection with over the many years in his profession.
Who better to run around killing people than Jason Statham? Known for his badassery in The Transporter series, Crank and Snatch, this multifaceted actor was born for the part. Being a mechanic, in his character’s world, means being able to eliminate anyone, anywhere, with no feeling, regret or hesitation. Let’s just say if I ever ran into Statham in a dark alley, he’d be the first person I hand my wallet to.
Bishop’s handler Harry McKenna, played by Donald Sutherland, and Dean the employer, played by Tony Goldwyn, did nothing but accent Statham’s ability to fully fit the Arthur Bishop character. Dean is the typical suit: looks to make the customer happy, doesn’t like loose ends and will do anything to make sure the company goes in the direction he sees best. Harry, on the other hand, is all about making sure his employees, or in this case ‘mechanics’, are still at the top of their game. He is the definition of a direct dealer. He meets with his workers, gives them the files necessary to complete the job, receives updates and delivers the rewards. Sutherland and Goldwyn were the perfect matches for these roles as well.
A character that threw me for a loop was Steve McKenna, played by Ben Foster. Having been off the map since 2009, Ben Foster played yet another role fueled by hatred and passion. Steve McKenna, the family screw up is ignited by his father’s death and chooses Bishop’s work as an outlet that could help him burn the city to shreds. Like in many of the previous roles Foster played, McKenna lets his emotions get the best of him and decides in the end to seek vengeance on his father’s killer. Little does he know, Bishop, detached as usual, plans for all occasions so that in the end he can rise victorious.
The Mechanic is sure to reach the upper half of the box office charts in the weeks to come. This is one action movie you’ve got to see.