The Hitman’s Bodyguard – Film Review

The Hitman’s Bodyguard is an old-school action comedy buddy film that follows Michael Bryce and Darius Kinkaid played by Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson. Despite their differences in the past, both bodyguard and hitman must learn to work together to get to the International Court of Justice before the deadline to testify against an Eastern European dictator, Vladislav Dukhovich played by Gary Oldman.

The charisma of both Samuel L. Jackson and Ryan Reynolds are undeniable in The Hitman’s Bodyguard. Although an unoriginal formula, this buddy film is exactly what I expected it to be. Fun, ridiculous, full of action and entertaining as hell.

The talent, chemistry and comedic banter between Samuel L. Jackson and Ryan Reynolds is what makes this film worth watching. With both actors being known as pop-culture icons, we live for Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson’s witty remarks in general. So to combine these two in one film whilst having them shoot people and blow stuff up, I was filled with a ridiculous amount of joy and satisfaction.

I was surprised by Samuel L. Jackson’s ability to sing. I also loved Salma Hayek as Darius’ sexy but deadly wife, Sonia Kincaid. She may not have been on-screen for long, but for the moments when she was, she owned them. I do believe however that Gary Oldman was wasted. I normally like Gary Oldman, but for this film the script let him down and didn’t give him much room to play with.

Sure, there are more plot holes in this film than there are in Swiss cheese and there’s nothing remotely plausible or realistic about it. But I don’t care. I loved the Samuel L. Jackson and Ryan Reynolds bromance. Watching The Hitman’s Bodyguard felt like a mindless fun theme park ride that I shamelessly can’t wait to get on again. Now if you excuse me, I’m going to go listen to “Nobody Gets Out Alive” by Samuel L. Jackson.