Jason Statham’s Latest Action Flick: Does It Deliver the Thrills?
The Snapshot: Even the powerhouse skills of action icon Jason Statham cannot salvage the muddled narrative and lackluster execution of A Working Man, a film that demands more than just muscle to pull off an engaging storyline.
H2: A Working Man at a Glance
Rating: 14A
Duration: 1 hour 56 minutes
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
Director: David Ayer
Starring: Jason Statham, Jason Flemyng, Maximilian Osinski, Arianna Rivas, David Harbour, and Michael Peña
For a film boasting intense fist fights, it’s disappointing that A Working Man fails to deliver a more significant impact. This action thriller attempts to follow the story of Levon, a construction foreman who pauses his daily grind to rescue his boss's kidnapped daughter.
H3: Familiar Territory, Uninspired Execution
While A Working Man sheds light on serious issues like human trafficking and the importance of women's freedom, the film suffers from a lack of engaging action and a weak storyline. The premise, which is based on Chuck Dixon’s 2014 novel Levon’s Trade, apparently struggles under the weight of its own ambition, offering a generic and unoriginal narrative.
The reunion of Statham with director and co-writer David Ayer, who previously helmed the more captivating The Beekeeper, raises expectations. However, Ayer, alongside co-writer Sylvester Stallone, seemingly misses the mark here. Despite Stallone’s legendary status, his contributions to the dialogue fall flat, resulting in exchanges that drip with cliché rather than memorable wit.
H4: Dull Villains and Misguided Toughness
Clichéd villains crafted from the well-worn trope of the Russian mafia add little to the film's excitement. The motivations of these antagonists are as vague as they are predictable. The film’s tone oscillates awkwardly between trying to be tough and failing to deliver authentic stakes, leaving viewers uninvested in Levon’s plight.
At nearly two hours long, the narrative drags, showcasing scant action amid long-winded scenes filled with sterile business dealings instead of pulse-pounding chases or rescues. The only highlight appears to be the sporadic, albeit brief, moments where Statham unleashes his formidable fighting skills against forgettable adversaries.
H3: The Verdict: Potential Largely Wasted
Although A Working Man has noble intentions and a valuable message beneath its surface, it pales in comparison to the adrenaline-fueled excitement of The Beekeeper. The crux of any action film lies in its script, and, unfortunately, this one needed more attention. Statham’s undeniable charisma and physical prowess can't compensate for a narrative that struggles to find its footing.
For those seeking high-stakes thrills and impactful storytelling, it seems that this film might require a little overtime to evolve from a lackluster action flick to something genuinely memorable. In the realm of action cinema, this offering is a stark reminder that even the most seasoned star can't always save a script from mediocrity.
For more thrilling reviews and insights on Jason Statham's works, check out Oakville News on his previous film The Beekeeper.
