JASON STATHAM. “Wild Card.” / “Wrath of Man.”

“Wrath of Man” (2021, Netflix) action thriller, directed by Guy Ritchie. About a new cash-truck driver in Los Angeles, whose thwarting of a robbery leads to his skillset with guns and mysterious past being questioned. Stars Jason Statham.



       Sans quantifiable acting talent, Mr Statham has proven that he can easily command box-office millions with his mumbles and brawn. I mean, Arnie and Sly did the trick alright, didn't they? This “Wrath…” movie earned $104 million from a budget of $40 million. You dig? 

       English director Guy Ritchie, who scored big  in previous actioners (1998's “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” and 2000's “Snatch”), directed this project, which included a cast of fine dramatic performers and reliable top-billers: Holt McCallany, Jeffrey Donovan, Josh Hartnett, Eddie Marsan, Andy Garcia, and Niamh Algar. Singer/rapper Post Malone had a silly cameo, too.

       Meanwhile, Jason is a Terminator-moody cash-truck driver and crime lord in disguise, nicknamed H or whatever. 

But then I'd probably forgive a flimsy script from an implausible base story, scattered in multiple storylines (from a French original? Hell I care!) The action sequences pack shit and I was diggin’ it! Go, Jason! 🎥💻📽


“Wild Card” (2015, Roku) action thriller. A Las Vegas bodyguard and recovering gambling addict gets pulled into the criminal underworld after he tries to help a friend who was brutally assaulted by a sadistic gangster, the son of a powerful mob boss. 

       Hardcore Jason Statham fans, like my 4 brothers, may enjoy some parts of this soap operatic crap but to most, nope. Next! 



       Note that this movie has bonafide attractions or reliable performers: Hope Davis, Stanley Tucci, Anne Heche, Sofia Vergara, Milo Ventimiglia, Jason Alexander + (of you'd interested) Andy Garcia's daughter Dominik Garcia-Lorido. 

       But don't be fooled by the icing on the cake. Ah. Why can't Mr Statham just stay mumbling in half-whispers as he breaks bad dude faces rather than do a drama bit? 

My advice, pre- or post-watch, if you have the time: Read the source material, 1985's “Heat,” by the great William Goldman. And then watch the 1986 original movie, starring Burt Reynolds. 🎥💻📽

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