Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent Jason Statham sequel is lazy and poorly made.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Mechanic: Resurrection
What's the Story?
Following the events of The Mechanic (2011), MECHANIC: RESURRECTION tells the story of Arthur Bishop (Jason Statham), who is now retired and living under the radar in Rio. Unfortunately, he's found and asked to take on a new job: killing three men. Arthur refuses and disappears to Thailand; there, he meets Gina (Jessica Alba), who's subsequently kidnapped, forcing Arthur to do the killings after all. The first one, inside a prison, goes off without a hitch. And the second, in a swimming pool perched on the side of a high-rise building, is easy. On the third, Arthur recognizes an opportunity to turn the tables -- but can he face his deadliest foe, Crain (Sam Hazeldine), and still rescue Gina?
Is It Any Good?
It's difficult for anyone involved to sell this weakly plotted, emotionally empty sequel as anything more than a lazy cash-grab. With the exception of one intense set-piece, it's even visually inept. Mechanic: Resurrection begins by asking us to believe that Bishop would, after years of perfecting his hit man persona, suddenly fall in love with Gina, even after she's been used as a patsy to catch him. Her kidnapping is cinematically bungled, with many obvious cheats.
The fight scenes are awful, with director Dennis Gansel whipping the camera every which way, editing erratically, and ruining any choreography or training that Statham might have done. With the action undone, there isn't much left to care about. Not even an actor of co-star Tommy Lee Jones' ilk can convey that he's here for any reason other than a paycheck. Only the swimming pool murder is momentarily suspenseful and distracting. It's too bad the rest of the movie couldn't have been that good.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Mechanic: Resurrection's violence. How much of it is necessary to the plot? Do you think any of it is gratuitous? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
What role do women play in the story? Do the female characters have a say in what happens to them? Why is that important?
How would you describe star Jason Statham's appeal? How does this movie compare to his others, or to the previous Mechanic movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 26, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : November 22, 2016
- Cast : Jason Statham , Jessica Alba , Tommy Lee Jones
- Director : Dennis Gansel
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Summit Entertainment
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 99 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence throughout and language
- Last updated : February 15, 2023
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