Wild Card
By Sandie Angulo Chen,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Statham remake is violent and contemplative, not thrilling.

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Wild Card
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What's the Story?
WILD CARD is a remake of screenwriter-novelist William Goldman's 1986 thriller Heat (not to be confused with Michael Mann's excellent heist thriller of the same name). Main character Nick Wild (Jason Statham) is a Las Vegas bodyguard who dreams of scoring a big Black Jack payout and leaving everything behind. But when his dear friend, Holly (Dominik Garcia-Lorido), a prostitute who works with high-end clients, tells him about a horrific incident with violent mobster Danny DeMarco (Milo Ventimiglia) and begs Nick to get revenge, he agrees to help. Meanwhile, he also takes a job with an eccentric young tech billionaire (Michael Angarano), who wants, of all things, to be brave.
Is It Any Good?
This movie can't decide if it's a bloody Vegas mob thriller or an introspective drama about a man with a "particular set of skills" who can't get out of the mess he's made of his life. Statham is best known for his ability to injure and kill on camera with a skill nearly unparalleled in contemporary action films, but in Wild Card he plays a somewhat reluctant enforcer who's having a midlife crisis. Audiences expecting a high-octane thriller are in for a surprise; most of the film is Statham gambling and wondering what a big win would grant him. With all the philosophizing about whether he should hit or not, the movie is a bit of a mess.
Director Simon West does his best to provide standout moments, casting great actors in small roles. Hope Davis plays Nick's favorite Black Jack dealer with expressive subtlety; Stanley Tucci steals scenes as a Vegas mobster; and Jason Alexander, Anne Heche, and Sofia Vergara make appearances in supporting performances. While it's pleasant to see these seasoned actors -- and even to see Statham stretch in his acting -- the film is uneven and unappealing, making it unlikely to please Statham's usual followers ... or anyone else.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Wild Card's use of violence and fighting. Is the violence realistic or stylized? Is it believable that a man could fight that way without any weapons?
How does this movie compare to other Statham films? Do you prefer his more action-packed movies, or do you like it when he has more to do, acting wise?
Nick Wild is an anti-hero. He's got a lot of personal flaws and makes questionable decisions, but audiences are still meant to root for him. Why is that?
Movie Details
- In theaters: January 30, 2015
- On DVD or streaming: March 31, 2015
- Cast: Jason Statham, Michael Angarano, Hope Davis
- Director: Simon West
- Studio: Lionsgate
- Genre: Thriller
- Run time: 92 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: strong violence, language and some sexuality/nudity
- Last updated: February 26, 2023
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