Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek, Frank Grillo, Richard E. Grant, Tom Hopper, Antonio Banderas, Morgan Freeman
Director: Patrick Hughes
Movie Review by Nigel A. Messenger
I was really looking forward to seeing this movie sequel after really enjoying the first one, but I have to admit that seeing some of the advanced reviews made me dubious. Of course I should have remembered that so many critics just love to hate for the sake of it, so I’m glad I ignored them as usual because this really is a very enjoyable film.
Now unlicensed bodyguard Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds) is feeling very stressed and decides on taking a sabbatical which doesn’t last very long as hitman Darius Kincaid’s wife Sonia (Salma Hayek) forcibly recruits him into rescuing her husband who has been kidnapped by mobsters.
After freeing Darius they are immediately caught by Interpol agent Bobby O’Neill (Frank Grillo) and given a mission they can’t refuse to stop terrorist Aristotle Papadopoulos (Antonio Banderas), who wants to destroy the European power grid and infrastructure as the EU is about to impose heavy sanctions on his beloved Greece.
The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard delivers plenty of action and humour along the way as Michael Bryce desperately tries to avoid killing and going back to the stress of his old life, but that doesn’t last too long with plenty of gunfire, swearing and chases to keep us amused. I couldn’t help thinking of Reynold’s Deadpool movies at times, but that is not a bad thing. Salma Hayek as Sonia is particularly outstanding and her desire to be a mother has a hilarious consequence at the end of the movie.
There is also a funny mid-credit scene you shouldn’t miss.
