The Mechanic reviews

You have to hand it over to Statham. Atleast the guy is consistent in churning out dumb flicks one after another. All of them have fancy names. Thi... read more

You have to hand it over to Statham. Atleast the guy is consistent in churning out dumb flicks one after another. All of them have fancy names. This one's named Mechanic. Expect other handyman jobs to follow - Plumber, Electrician, Gardener, Cook, Painter. And in all of these, he will be a hired assasin. He is a 'mechanic' because he fixes your problems(or the people who cause them). He can be a painter because he paints you and your carpet Red, with your own blood. Somebody please note these down: I am getting a lot of ideas right now.

So, the story goes - Bishop (Jason Statham) kills an old friend because he's turned bad(as told by the bigger villain), and starts training his kid Steve(Ben Foster - by the way, this guy looks quite similar to Ryan Gosling, and I watched the film thinking it was him. And both of them were born 13 days apart only !) to become a mechanic like himself. Eventually, both of them avenge Steve's father, amidst some double crossing and dhishoom dhishoom.

The treatment and dialogue delivery was so insipid that I fell asleep once in between, and had to pinch myself to stay awake. For the most part one of the two protagonists is trying to kill somebody. There is one mildly interesting sequence where they go off to kill a seedy Guru and are hiding behind a wall. Now, since Statham has got extra brawn transplanted in exchange for his brain (this is my theory to explain why his films are so stupid), they quickly jump out and start shooting and firing practically all over the place. Neither are the Guns or cars anything to drool over, which is usually an attraction for such films targeted at all-male audiences. Statham drives a rundown truck for the most part, while repairing a sleek beauty throughout (which is taken out of the garage for 1 minute before being blown to pieces).

Not recommended for anybody with an IQ over 75. It's a remake of a 1972 film, and I am so put off I wont watch that one either.view less

A remake of the 1972, Charles Bronson film of the same name, this is exactly how the movie would have and should have got made in 2011. Dean Sander... read more

A remake of the 1972, Charles Bronson film of the same name, this is exactly how the movie would have and should have got made in 2011.

Dean Sanderson (Tony Goldwyn, Ghost, The Last Samurai) & Harry Mckenna (Donald Sutherland) are partners of an anonymous corporate, undertaking contract killings. One of their ace assassin, also known as mechanic is Arthur Bishop (Jason Stathom). He prides in the fact that the success of his job, lies in his dialogue "The best jobs are the ones nobody ever knew you were there." After carrying out a hit on a Columbian drug lord, killing him in the swimming pool, he is hired by Dean to kill Harry, for a job gone wrong in Cape Town, which Dean believes was a sold-off by Harry. Due to Harrys kinship with Bishop, Bishop is able to deceive Harry easily, before killing him. Harrys no good son, Steve (Ben Foster, X-Men The Last Stand, Hostage, Alpha Dog) wants to avenge his fathers death by killing off all possible car jackers. An attempt which is foiled by Bishop. Now, Bishop, out of guilt, takes Steve under his mentorship, to train him in the business of killing. After a couple of assignments, the two develop a particularly odd bond. One out for revenge, one for redemption.

Simon West (Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Con Air, The Generals Daughter) does not mess with the subject of the original Bronson film, but adds his touch to it. He presents the film in such a manner, wherein past a point the viewer tends to live the tension. Seeing Steves character deviate from the path as shown by Bishop, and adding his own twisted touch to it, Steve comes across as a maniac killer in the making. A process, which is clinical for Bishop, becomes enjoyable for Steve. The climax, did have me on my seat, when Steve realizes the true identity of his fathers killer. Along with Mark Ishams background score, and gritty cinematography by Eric Schmidt, The Mechanic is a treat to watch because there is nothing new in the subject, so it all boils down to the treatment. Love the slo-mo action pieces, very old school.

Donald Sutherland as the crippled Harry plays a good cameo. One can see the pity in his eyes when Bishop confronts him. Goldwyn as the cunning Dean is given a positive shade as a caring father. Ben Foster as the drifter son plays the part to perfection. His initial vulnerability, his attempted bravado with Burke and then the transformation to a calculated killer, is scary. Ever since the truth dawns upon him, there is a certain unpredictable uneasiness, which keeps you praying to avoid the inevitable. His dead pan eyes add a certain amount of menace

Stathom as the ruthless killer, plays a part, oft played by him. He is efficient, smart, nimble on his toes. His entire persona is more of a street fighter rather than Bond. He is the best possible person for this genre. His lack of emotions, be it while killing his victims or during his one night stands with his regular hooker (Mini Anden).

If you like action flicks, which are not heavy on the head and with moderate performances, then you will enjoy this film. There are quite a few dialogues in the film which remind you of the 70s, action thrillers, especially Deans threat to Bishop Im going to put so much money on your head that when you look in the mirror, your reflection is going to want to shoot you.

Does it have The Y Factor: Yes

Rating :6/10
view less

Jason Statham is well known for his 'masala' action flicks. From The Italian job to Crank, he has specialized in this genre. Although this movie wo... read more

Jason Statham is well known for his 'masala' action flicks. From The Italian job to Crank, he has specialized in this genre. Although this movie would fall in one of his better ones, it still falls short of being a good movie. The movie has a tight screenplay and a good storyline but the execution falls flat.

Arthur Bishop is a hit-man who has terrific expertise in killing people and making it look like an accident. The game changes when he is ordered a hit to kill his mentor, Harry. Arthur overcomes his emotions and completes the job. When Harry's son, Steve, requests Arthur to take him as his apprentice, Arthur feels obligated to do so. As the duo carry out several jobs, Arthur discovers that Harry was falsely accused and was a part of a conspiracy. Steve discovers at the same time that Arthur was the one who killed his father. Steven and Arthur kill the guy who ordered the hit on Harry and then Steven tries to kill Arthur but will he succeed.

The movie revolves around Jason Statham's character. So if you don't like Jason Statham, there's a little chance that you will like this movie. The story and the screenplay are tight, but the director's execution fails. Every scene appears to be forced. The action is moderate considering that this is an out and out action flick.

Acting wise Jason Statham does the exact same acting that he has been doing for all these years. Nothing new experimented. Ben Foster does a good job as Steve the apprentice.

Writers Richard Wenk, Lewis John Carlino do a good job in carving out a decent story + screenplay. Simon West who had also directed Tomb Raider, fails to do justice to the screenplay and in the end drives the movie towards mediocrity.

Reasons to watch
1) Hardcore action masala.
2) Member of Jason Statham fan club

Reasons to skip
1) Hate Jason Statham style movies.
2) Poor execution.
3) Not worth spending money on a ticket. view less

In case I haven't specified before, I dislike Jason Statham. To the core. I'm also sensing that that is what would happen to you if you saw Crank a... read more

In case I haven't specified before, I dislike Jason Statham. To the core. I'm also sensing that that is what would happen to you if you saw Crank and its sequel, Crank 2: High Voltage in the cinema hall. So remember - if this is the case with you as well; run as fast as you can in the opposite direction.
And if you're a crazy little daredevil (read: just plain bored), here's the low-down:

The Mechanic is simply another one of those pointless Hollywood action flicks where they have a good enough story and cast, but lose out when it comes to overall execution. There's a hit man who trains his mentor's son, with an added track of deceit and vengeance.
Unoriginal and uninspired in more ways than one (it is a remake of a 1972 film of the same name with Charles Bronson in the lead), the screenplay of the film becomes a no-show because of lack of emphasis on what was the most interesting aspect, the tussle between the two leads. Instead, we have loud music and long scenes where absolutely nothing happens. The plot is full of twists and turns, and while they amuse you at the get-go, they become boring after a while.
There are also some instances where you won't understand a thing going on and will have to ask the equally clueless idiot beside you, but then the credit for that goes to Statham's accent. I didn't understand what he was conveying four years ago, and I still don't. Although he does lend some credibility to his character because of his pensive and restrained performance. He's obviously very comfortable in these kinds of roles and no, we don't want another The Rock/ 'Dweeb' Johnson. Ben Foster is too, a great performer. The scenes with Statham and Foster together are worth watching. Donald Sutherland and Tony Goldwyn (wait, was he the guy from Ghost?) are adequate in their very-bit roles.
The dialogues are literally minimal and the action, prolonged, unnecessary and headache inducing.

If you're like the six people who were in the hall with me, you'd probably go for the explicit sex and drug usage. Too bad, all of it got cut the moment it entered Indian waters.

Not worth churning out a 250 on that ticket. Or a 150. Or a 80.
Sorry, I just can't seem to put a price on torture.
Don't bother. Watch Crank. Naah! Just kidding.
view less