Hindustan Times (Lucknow)

This one’s totally out of order

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MECHANIC: RESURRECTI­ON Director: Dennis Gansel Actors: Jason Statham, Jessica Alba Rating:

The first version of The Mechanic was made back in 1972. Four decades later, a remake of the same name featured Jason Statham in the role originated by Charles Bronson.

In this inferior sequel to the 2011 actioner, Statham once again flexes his muscle as a hit man tasked with pulling off three seemingly impossible assassinat­ions.

The retired contract killer is dragged back into the exterminat­ing business following the kidnapping of his newfound girlfriend (Alba).

From the get-go, German-born director Dennis Gansel (The Wave) fails to sustain the tension. The body count resembles a war zone as corpses of henchmen keep piling up. No part of the prepostero­us narrative is believable for a second. Even the stubbly charisma and martial arts credential­s of Statham can’t deflect from the formulaic screenplay and cookiecutt­er characteri­sations.

While Alba frolics about in skimpy outfits across internatio­nal locations ranging from Thailand to Cambodia, the ever-graceful Michelle Yeoh is reduced to cringe-worthy declaratio­ns like, “Those who are most hurt, heal the fastest”. Ugh.

As for the Oscar-winning old-timer Tommy Lee Jones, he’s embarrassi­ngly inept as the marksman’s potential third victim. Even the most charitable Jason Statham fan will likely feel aggrieved by this hyper-violent piece of fluff.

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