Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard is probably an unnecessary sequel and it does have its flaws from a flimsy plot and some of the humor doesn’t work, but for the most part I did like the core main characters and the addition of Salma Hayek was the highlight.
Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard
(2021)
Genre(s): Action, Comedy
Lionsgate | R – 100 min. – $42.99 | August 17, 2021
Date Published: 08/22/2021 | Author: The Movieman
|
|
|||||||||||
Lionsgate provided me with a free copy of the Blu-ray I reviewed in this Blog Post.
The opinions I share are my own.
Note: The screen captures were taken from the included Blu-ray disc.
THE MOVIE — 3½/5 |
|
Plot Synopsis: The world’s most lethal odd couple — bodyguard Michael Bryce (RYAN REYNOLDS) and hit man Darius Kincaid (SAMUEL L. JACKSON) — are back for another life-threatening mission. Still unlicensed and under scrutiny, Bryce is forced into action by Darius’s even more volatile wife (SALMA HAYEK). Soon, all three are in over their heads when a madman’s (ANTONIO BANDERAS) sinister plot threatens to leave Europe in total chaos.
Review: The first Hitman’s Bodyguard is a movie I think I liked well enough but really haven’t thought about since I last watched back in 2017. This sequel, The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard is an amusing enough film, much like the original, although I suspect give it a year or so, and it’s doubtful I’ll remember it all that much. The bickering between Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson wasn’t as annoying compared with the first go around and each pretty much play similar personalities in other films. The pairing isn’t up to snuff with the likes of Mel Gibson and Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon) or even Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy (48 HRS), but their charisma does help carry the movie. Where Hitman’s Wife does find life is with Salma Hayek who is a lot of fun playing opposite Reynolds and Jackson and is one of those actresses who only has gotten more beautiful over time. Even when the writing doesn’t quite work, her line deliveries and all around attitude was plenty of fun to behold. The film also features a fine supporting cast that includes Antonio Banderas as the baddie (not as over-the-top like in Assassins, unfortunately), Morgan Freeman playing Bryce’s step-father brings a heavy aura that he always brings to any film and last Frank Grillo in a pretty thankless role as an Interpol agent in pursuit of Banderas and utilizing our trio to stop an attack.
Patrick Hughes (The Expendables 3) returns to the director’s chair with Tom O’Connor writing the story and co-writing the screenplay and Phillip and Brandon Murphy are the other two writers, neither have a feature film credit to their name (but who knows, may have done some script doctoring in the past). The action scenes are all relatively well done, although can’t say there’s any one of them that really stood out. In the end, Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard is a time-wasting but ultimately entertaining enough action-comedy thanks mostly for Salma Hayek with special mentions for Reynolds and Jackson, as well as smaller parts for Frank Grillo, Antonio Banderas and Morgan Freeman. I think this would be fine as a rental as I don’t know how much, as with the first movie, replay value this has. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 2½/5 |
|
This release comes with a glossy slip cover and inside is a redemption code for the Digital HD copy. Unfortunately there’s only about 28-minutes worth of featurettes. Ryan, Sam, Salma: One F’d Up Family (9:09) — Featurette on the trio of crazy characters includes interviews with the cast and director and some behind-the-scenes footage. Gone Soft: The New Michael Bryce (7:22) examines the development for Ryan Reynolds and his newly insecure character now that’s lost his license to bodyguard. Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard #stuntlife (7:47) looks at the, well, stunt work involved in the production. On the Set of Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard (4:02) — Short featurette on the production design. Last up is a Gag Reel (4:40) and Theatrical Trailers (4:41) for both The Hitman’s Bodyguard and Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard. |
4K VIDEO – 4½/5, BLU-RAY VIDEO – 4½/5 |
|
Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard takes aim on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray, presented in the original 2.39 widescreen aspect ratio and given a 2160p and 1080p high-definition transfers, respectively. For the most part, both of these look quite good, not amazing or phenomenal when compared with other new releases, but still adequate. In terms of the 4K, detail is sharp and well defined, colors appear to be nicely balanced with some minor aid of the HDR (Dolby Vision is also available for those with the equipment to decode). Skin tones have a natural appearance and there is fine noise that gives it some texture, something that was also apparent on the Blu-ray, perhaps just as finely tuned in comparison. |
AUDIO – 4¾/5 |
|
The disc includes Dolby Atmos tracks for both the 4K UHD and Blu-ray. Given this is an action-packed film, obviously it would take advantage and there is some decent depth for those sequences, not to mention some ambient noises for the few quieter moments, while also outputting clear dialogue. |
OVERALL — 3¾/5 |
|
Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard is probably an unnecessary sequel and it does have its flaws from a flimsy plot and some of the humor doesn’t work, but for the most part I did like the core main characters and the addition of Salma Hayek was the highlight, still kicking butt and looking good. |