Danielle Solzman
Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham reunite for the Los Angeles-set Wrath of Man, an English language remake of French thriller Le convoyeur.
Listen, the film is certainly not going to win any Oscars but it was just so great to be back inside a dark movie theater for a press screening. Only the big screen is going to be able to do this sort of action film any justice with regards to the sound mix. This isn’t to take anything away from the small screen but I just couldn’t imagine reacting the same way at home. The sound of the vibrating film score is only something one could feel in the theater and not at home. If you’re not ready to back yet, that’s fine.
But in terms of the narrative itself, it’s just your basic action film starring Jason Statham. Couldn’t Guy Ritchie at least make an attempt to have the action star play against type? Statham stars as a mysterious new employee, Patrick Hill, simply known as H. He’s the newest recruit for Fortico Securities. They’re kind of like Brinks. Anyway, Bullet (Holt McCallany) takes H under his wings. Things go smoothly from there until a robbery goes wrong. Next thing you know, H stands for hero.
Narratively speaking, the film goes out of order throughout the various parts. Honestly, it can be kind of confusing. I mean, it makes sense in the end but it’s frustrating to go through two hours of film before then. The mystery starts unfolding frame by frame to where you’re left frustrated by the end. All the while, the film’s score is more or less menacing from start to end. It does tend to help add to the mystery for what it’s worth. Speaking of the mystery, I won’t say anything more because of spoilers. It does get pretty violent but this shouldn’t surprise you for a film starring Statham.
Sound mix aside, the best thing one can say about Wrath of Man is that it reunites Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham but that’s about it.
DIRECTOR: Guy Ritchie
SCREENWRITERS: Guy Ritchie & Marn Davies and Ivan Atkinson
CAST: Jason Statham, Holt McCallany, Jeffrey Donovan, Josh Hartnett, Niamh Algar, Laz Alonso, Raúl Castillo, DeObia Oparei, with Scott Eastwood and Eddie Marsan
