IR Film Review: THE HITMAN’S WIFE’S BODYGUARD [Lionsgate]
The aspect of sequels usually is one the precipice that certain people work easily together or know how to play to the joke or simply knows that something is popular. The sequel to "The Hitman's Bodyguard" is an interesting one. Ryan Reynolds is currently and easily the biggest star in "The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard" but he knows when you have the generation before you with their heavy hitters playing in the sandbox that you let them do their thing. That takes a confident star (and a penitent one too). It is an odd balance trying to maintain because Reynolds can be on the edge of high concept and yet the viewer is viscerally aware he likes retro. That said, Salma Hayek just bursts off the screen here like she is having a great time and reveling in it. It is not about PC, or playing it down or trying to make a statement...she just goes for it and it is fun. Almost as much fun is the ode to her and Banderas.
It is interesting because in certain scenes you can swear not a day has past since "Desperado". This script of course has different ideas. It is a fun buddy romp and not trying to be marred down in any themes. It has fun making fun of itself. The action is decent but it is mid-tier because it is not a full blown action epic and yet it is at times. Depending on the eye, one can see the cutting back between location and obvious soundstage work but that's semantics. Alot of action especially in a club scene is shot too up close when there could have been some interesting master work done.. That happens later on in a fight between Reynolds and another bodyguard.
And that works because the person on the other end has that baggage and is currently on his way up. The club scene is interesting too because there is a surprise within it that won't grab you until the credits. Morgan Freeman in his own "Red" reversal always makes an entrance. The story aspect (beyond the baby fever aspect seen in the trailer) is utterly flimsy at best. But again that is not what is most important here as it is to see these 3 + Banderas mixing it up. Reynolds allows himself to be the punching bag whch is a choice and he knows the laughs come out of that (plus it makes him relatable). But beyond the likeable leads, the movie itself is merely alright. B-
By Tim Wassberg
