A
VIOLENT
ACTION
THRILLER
SAFE
Review by John Delia
Jason Statham has made a career out of violent action thrillers like Crank,The Transporter, The Expendables, The Mechanic and more. In his newest film Safe however, he tops any of his past films for action, acting and realism. The heart pounding adrenaline pumping movie is a must see for thrill seekers.
Cage fighter and former FBI agent Luke Wright (Statham) has been eluding the Russian mob after not throwing a mixed martial arts fight. When he gets home that evening he finds the Russian Mafia henchmen in his apartment and his wife murdered. No match for Luke, he fights his way out of the room and goes on the run. In the meantime an eleven-year-old girl Mei (Catherine Chan) has been kidnapped in China for her superior brainpower and brought to the United State being used as a numbers memory artist for the Chinese mafia. After asking her to memorize a very long number her next step is to deliver it to a contact, but the car gets rammed and Mei takes off. When Luke and Mei coincidently meet up, both are running for their lives and money surrounding the special number.
Safe really gives no time to take that deep breath after each fighting encounter with foes of Luke. The action gets relentless and stays that way throughout the ninety minutes of mayhem. But, that is a good thing for adrenaline seekers who are the target audience for Safe. If you are familiar with Statham’s films then you know what I am referring to, especially the brutal style he uses to take down his adversaries.
Statham certainly puts his all into a film using his muscular body and athletic ability to punch and shoot his way out of some of the toughest situations. His agility helps here and in many scenes he’s leaping through rooms firing pistols, slugging mobsters and kicking his way through one battle then another. It’s his style of acting and he does it amazingly well. Â
Youngster Catherine Chan as Mei puts on a great show with her ‘innocent’ character trying to cope with an almost impossible situation. Even with all the mayhem surrounding her, she keeps her composure using her brain to get her out of situations. Always suspicious of others, she does warm up the Luke however, knowing instinctively that he will be her savior. Chan looks like she may have a chance for a career in the business, especially with a start like this.
Director/Writer Boaz Yakin (Remember the Titans) gives pinpoint action accuracy to his film providing measurable realism nearly flawless. He uses Statham and Chan smartly, making sure his audience understands the chemistry developing between the two so his ending becomes believable. Relentless with the fighting from beginning to the explosive end, Yakin works an immense helping of mind-bending filmmaking.
Safe has been rated R by the MPAA for strong violence throughout, and for language. Some of the action gets so reality fierce that you can almost feel the pain coming off the screen.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Probably Statham’s best to date and a winner for action hounds. (B) Â
Additional Film Information:
- Cast: Jason Statham, Catherine Chan, James Hong and Chris Sarandon
- Directed by: Boaz Yakin (Remember the Titans)
- MPAA Rating: Rated R for strong violence throughout, and for language
- Genre: Action, Crime and Thriller
- Running Time: 1 hr 35 min
- Opening Date: April 27, 2012
- Distributed by: Lionsgate