In 2017, director Patrick Hughes (The Expendables 3, Red Hill) took us into the world of Michael Bryce, once the world’s top bodyguard and now fallen from his pedestal. We don’t want to say too much, just in case you haven’t seen The Hitman’s Bodyguard, apart from the fact that his latest mission was to protect the most dangerous hitman Darius Kincaid. Now, their explosive journey continues in The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, which once again turns into a thrill ride full of fast car chases, bullets flying everywhere and fun jokes.
The entertaining and merciless trio reunites
Ryan Reynolds is back as Michael Bryce, who’s having a hard time dealing with his triple A-bodyguard failures. After losing his ‘license’ and experiencing the same vivid nightmare, his therapist suggests time away from bodyguarding by enjoying an Italian break by the pool. His time off heals Bryce but not for long. He unwillingly becomes part of Kincaid’s ferocious wife Sonia (Salma Hayek) her rescue mission to save her ‘cucaracha’ (Samuel L. Jackson) from some baddies. Been there, done that, and once again, the bad-ass trio gets together.
This time, they take on Aristotle Papadopoulous (Antonio Banderas), who’s out for revenge on the EU by drilling a hole in their underwater safety box that contains all the computer systems. While trying to save the world and battling Papadopoulous, each trio member has to deal with personal problems. Bryce feels inferior compared to his stepfather (Morgan Freeman), a legendary bodyguard, with whom he reconnects during the mission, and Kincaid and his Sonia deal with family problems. Will they overcome their problems and save the world from the Greek supervillain, or is the world doomed this time?
Don’t take it too seriously
When reading the plot, you get that this movie doesn’t take itself too seriously, so don’t expect a brand-new and cinema-changing story. No, what you can expect from The Hitman’s Wife Bodyguard is an entertaining and enjoyable trip throughout Europe (without leaving the country). A journey you have to go on, and here’s why.
It’s such as pleasure to see Reynolds (Deadpool, The Change-Up) again as Bryce. With him, there will always be laughter and seriousness at the same time. When his on-screen action is explosive and fast, he still finds a way to put some witty and fun elements in it. It becomes even more amusing if you put him in front of Jackson. Jackson (Spider-Man: Far from Home, The Hateful Eight) his dialogue mainly contains swearwords, but he delivers his lines with such a great and captivating attitude that it becomes such a pleasure to watch him. The female power and temperament in The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard come from Hayek (Frida, The Roads Not Taken). Ok, yes, it might not be the most in-depth role she has ever had, but it’s still a thrill to watch.
When watching The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, it becomes clear that screenwriters Tom O’Connor (Fire with Fire, The Courier), Phillip Murphy and Brandon Murphy certainly didn’t mind the lack of depth or credibility of the characters. Sadly, this has a negative impact on the new characters. Banderas (Pain and Glory, Life Itself) can’t convince us in the slightest, mostly because of his so-called Greek accent, as it sounds more like his Spanish one. Freeman (The Shawshank Redemption, Seven) only has a handful of scenes, of which none are very memorable. There’s nothing wrong with his performance, but it doesn’t contribute a lot to this movie.
You might not get the most exciting and innovative storyline, but what you will get is tons of European locations and more than enough car chase scenes, guns going off and violence and if that’s what you’re up for, then cinematographer Terry Stacey (The Angel, Den of Thieves) absolutely shot the perfect scenes for you.
An action-comedy that hits some marks and misses a few
Yes, if you want a movie with more personality, in-depth characters and innovative plot twist, then this movie is absolutely not a film for you. However, if you’re in the mood for a thrilling rollercoaster full of action, witty jokes and a lot of banter, then we’re pretty sure you will love, The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, you mother*cker!
Rating: 
(3.5 / 5)
The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard is out now in U.K. cinemas
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