'The Hitman's Bodyguard' pays homage to buddy-action films

Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson star in sneaky-funny film

SAN ANTONIO – Looking for a movie with tons of intense action sequences, plenty of one-liners, and incredible scenic views? Lionsgate Films' latest 90's style action-comedy, "The Hitman's Bodyguard" brings all that and yet, despite its uninspired plot, finds a way to make it work.

The movie pairs two Marvel Comic stars in Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson (who play Nick Fury and Deadpool respectively) and has the actors again do what they do best - shoot, kill, complain, and repeat.

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Reynolds plays the All-American yet flawed lead while Jackson bring his hardcore foul-mouthed badass with a penchant for cussing back on-screen.

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In the film special protection agent Michael Bryce (Reynolds) is tasked with guarding the life of his mortal enemy Darius Kincaid (Jackson), who is one of the world's most notorious hitmen and is responsible for taking him from the United Kingdom to an International Court of Justice.

On their way, assassins routinely pursue them, forcing them into high-speed car chases, gun-battles and boat escapes.The pair has to put aside their differences and work together in order to arrive at their destination and have Kincaid testify against a ruthless, powerful and bloodthirsty Eastern European dictator played by Gary Oldman.

Directed by Patrick Hughes (“The Expendables 3”) and written by Tom O’Connor, the film knows what it is and tries to stay within its comfort zone -- having Bryce and Kincaid routinely chat and complain about the women in their lives (played excellently by Salma Hayek and Élodie Yung) until the next shootout or car chase arrives, often to hilarious effect.

Hughes and O'Connor have the action scenes increasingly get bigger and bigger before ultimately resulting in both a speedboat pursuit in and along the canals of Amsterdam with Reynolds following on a motorcycle. And if that wasn't enough, a hand-to-hand combat scene involving Reynolds brings back memories of Jason Bourne-esque fights.

Put simply,"The Hitman's Bodyguard" is what it is: a buddy-action movie of a previous era. Moviegoers can rest easy knowing they will get what they pay for.

The movie, which is being shown in 3,000 plus theaters across the country, is projected to make near $20 million in ticket sales and has a 48% “fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes. 

"The Hitman's Bodyguard," is 1 hour and 58 minutes and is rated R. It opens nation wide on Aug. 18.

You can view the trailer below or by clicking here..

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About the Author:

Ben Spicer is a digital journalist who works the early morning shift for KSAT.