A Working Man – Dir: David Ayer (13th Floor Film Review)
When we last saw Jason Statham, he was a Beekeeper, now he is just A Working Man…a blue collar everyman who just happens to have something close to superhuman powers.
Starring Jason Statham, Michael Pena, David Harbour, Arianna Rivas
This time around, Statham is Levon Cade, a construction worker in Chicago, with a young daughter, a dead wife and a past life as a Royal Army Commando.
Cade is keeping his head down, just trying to make ends meet when his boss’s teenage daughter is kidnapped by human traffickers.
The boss, played by Michael Pena, is aware of Levon’s past, and pleads with him to help save his daughter. Of course, Cade eventually promises to bring her home safely, and off we go…
The result is a Statham-by-the numbers hour and a half of shootouts, explosions, car chases and fist fights.
Needless to say, Statham…er, Cade…wins every battle, no matter what the odds.
That may sound tedious, but for me, and millions of other fans of the action man, that’s the joy in watching his films.
An army of bad guys, made up to look almost cartoonish, and armed to the teeth with assault rifles, grenades and machine guns are no match for our hero.
The fun is in watching the often-preposterous way he slaughters his enemies…sort of like the way the roadrunner continuously outwitted the coyote.
Those looking for deep meaning and emotional connection should look elsewhere. But if you’re after a little time out, where you know the good guy is bound to win and the only mystery is how he’s gonna get out of his latest jam…then A Working Man is just what you’re looking for.
Marty Duda
A Working Man opens in cinemas today.
Click here for tickets and showtimes.
