Mechanic: Resurrection

Movie review by Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media
Mechanic: Resurrection Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 17+

Violent Jason Statham sequel is lazy and poorly made.

R 2016 99 minutes
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Parents say

age 15+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 14+

Based on 8 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Mechanic: Resurrection is the disappointing sequel to the 2011 Jason Statham action movie The Mechanic (which itself was a remake of an old Charles Bronson movie). It's slightly less brutally violent -- the violence here feels more cartoonish -- but still includes lots of killings and beatings via guns, knives, grenades, blunt objects, and other weapons, as well as scenes of violence against women. Blood is shown gushing and pooling. Sex is also tamer here than in the first movie: The main characters kiss, and viewers see an implied sex scene, but there's no nudity (mainly kissing in underwear while lying on a bed). Language is strong, with many uses of "f--k" and "s--t." And there's a little social drinking.

Community Reviews

darthsitkur
darthsitkur Adult
February 23, 2017
age 15+

Better than the first movie

This is the nonstop action thrill ride that the first movie should've been
Movies_Life
Movies_Life Adult
August 28, 2016
age 15+

Typical Action Flick

This Jason Statham movie has lots of violence and language and surprisingly not that much sexual content. The action is bullets, stabbing and hand to hand fights. None of the action is scary or too violent, very little blood is shown after stabbings and gunshots. Though language is present, there isn't very much some f-words and sh*t. Sexual content is minimized, a sex scene does occur and has embracing of clothed buttocks and back, also kissing and undressing (only shirtless man). The characters lie on top of each other on a bed and continue kissing and smiling. Overall, this movie is enjoyable for teens 15 and is rated r only for lit bit too much of violence.

This title has:

Too much violence
See all 2 parent reviews

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

Our Editors Recommend

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    Amazing fights, brutal violence in undercover cop tale.

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    Exceedingly violent action remake also has sex, drinking.

    age 18+

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