Review by John Delia
An action thriller The Courier is now on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD, it’s a screamer. The starts with action, pauses with dialogue so you have the necessary information to digest, then takes off on the wildest ride of your life. Holding the film together is an amazing performance by Olga Kurylenko reminiscent of the action in the John Wick series and her tough persona in James Bond “Quantum of Solaceâ€. If you like physical films then this actioner should be on the top of your list.
At a funeral, rich New York City entrepreneur Ezekiel Mannings (Gary Oldman) gets accused of a murder. He gives his daughter Alys (Calli Taylor) an order to start his plan of action on the matter. He tells her it has to be done quickly and needs to follow up with any problems involving the CIA. The movie then shows who Mannings is and the power he has over city government.
The film then turns to The Courier (Olga Kurylenko) who’s speeding down the streets of London on her way to deliver a package that will decide whether Mannings gets his freedom from prosecution. Waiting for the courier are a number of Interpol and the National Crime Agency agents who have Nick Murch (Amit Shah) the only witness ready to testify via telecommunications. Also in room with Murch and waiting for the package is Interpol Agent Simmonds (Alicia Agneson) who is assigned to accept the package. If everything goes on plan, Mannings with be found guilty.
Thus begins a compelling high action film that pits The Courier against unbelievable odds when she finds out that she’s an unsuspecting decoy. Director and co-writer Zackary Adler moves his film along at a reckless pace putting The Courier in jeopardy and then the witness’s only hope for survival. Adler then throws everything imaginable against the one woman ex-military protagonist, putting The Courier up against the best fighters Interpol has and a special ops renegade.
I have always liked Olga Kurylenko’s acting and here she shows again that she can perform as a relentless aggressor. Showing her fight and athletic capability and a badass attitude she commands the screen in every scene she’s in. Her fighting skills are as much as good as others who take on the role of hand to hand combat characters like Michelle Rodriguez in Fast and Furious, Lucy Liu in Kill Bill, Milla Jovovich in Resident Evil, and Scarlet Johansson in Lucy to name a few.
BONUS FEATURE:
“Commentary with Director/Writer/Composer James Edward Baker†Turn this on after you have watched the movie for a second run through with comments on how scenes were put together, why they played a scene in a special way, on acting, sets, etc.
The Courier has been rated R for strong violence including bloody images, and language throughout. It may be a guy movie, but any action fan should take a peek at what Zackary Adler has brought to the screen.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A non-stop action thriller. (4 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Gary Oldman, Olga Kurylenko, Dermot Mulroney, Calli Taylor, William Moseley, Alicia Agneson, Amit Shah, Craig Conway,
Directed and co-written by: Zackary Adler
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R for strong violence including bloody images, and language throughout
Running Time: 1 hr. 39 min.
Video Release Date: January 21, 2021
Original Theatrical Release Date: November 22, 2019
Language: English
Reviewed Format: Blu-ray
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Video: Widescreen 1080p, Aspect Ratio 2.39:1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Number of Discs: 1 disc
Distributed by: Lionsgate Films
Released on: Blu-ray, DVD, Digital HD