I think the original version of this film is one of the few Charles Bronson movies I've never seen, so I don't have anything to compare it to, just judged it on its own merits, which are considerable. I always like Jason Statham, and he's fine in this one as a somewhat honorable hitman, who winds up taking a younger, more loose cannon version of himself under his arm as an apprentice killer. Stuff blows up, lots of fistfights and gunfights and running around, a few plot twists, some totally gratuitous nudity and sex . . . what's not to like? THE MECHANIC is a fairly smart, well-made action film, and I enjoyed it. Recommended.
I thought it was good, but I much prefer the Bronson version, and not just because it's "not some fancy schmancy newfangled movie".
The Bronson version deals a lot more with the dynamic between the main character and his protoge - the relationship is a lot more complex, the indoctrination is a lot more, dare I say it, philosophical. Bronson's character takes you down the rabbit hole of what it means to live outside of the rules of society, and what that can do to a person's psyche. This isn't something really touched upon in the Statham version.
All that having been said, the remake is still quite solid. I would advise though, seeing the original. If you have Netflix getting the DVD should be a snap.
Yep, I enjoyed it too.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was good, but I much prefer the Bronson version, and not just because it's "not some fancy schmancy newfangled movie".
ReplyDeleteThe Bronson version deals a lot more with the dynamic between the main character and his protoge - the relationship is a lot more complex, the indoctrination is a lot more, dare I say it, philosophical. Bronson's character takes you down the rabbit hole of what it means to live outside of the rules of society, and what that can do to a person's psyche. This isn't something really touched upon in the Statham version.
All that having been said, the remake is still quite solid. I would advise though, seeing the original. If you have Netflix getting the DVD should be a snap.
Shows what I know. There's a Bronson version? That I gotta watch.
ReplyDeleteOh yesh. This is early 70's Bronson at his finest.
ReplyDeleteIf I remember right the original was also known over here in the UK as "Killer of Killers".
ReplyDeleteI didn't know there was a new version.