Video game violence, foul language make for sometimes fun yet
ultimately frivolously The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard
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| “Tell me there will be a third Deadpool!” Sonia Kincaid (Salma Hayek) speaks with a disheveled Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds) in a scene from THE HITMAN’S WIFE’S BODYGUARD. Credit: David Appleby. © 2021 Lionsgate Publicity. All rights reserved. |
WATCH THE TRAILER(S) HERE:
DIRECTOR: Patrick Hughes
THE BACK STORY: The sequel to 2017’s The Hitman’s Bodyguard, The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard once again stars Ryan Reynolds as Michael Bryce, a Triple A-rated bodyguard … Or at least he was. You see, he’s been having recurring nightmares after dealing with Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson), the man responsible for one of his greatest failures.
Unfortunately for Michael, his sabbatical from bodyguarding is about to come to an abrupt end thanks to Sonia Kincaid (Salma Hayek), a.k.a. Darius’ equally hotheaded – and lethal – wife. It seems her hubby has been kidnapped by the Italian mafia, the country where Michael just so happens to be trying to enjoy a much-needed vacation. But, as all three of them are about to find out when Aristotle Papadopolous begins to enact his plan to restore Greece as the head of European civilization, there will be no vacations anytime soon, especially as the body count starts rising.
THE REVIEW: The Hitman’s Bodyguard was a fun but frivolous hit when released to theaters nearly five oh so seemingly long years ago. The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, while fun, definitely ups the frivolous nature of things, feeling at times more like a live action video game than anything resembling a true movie. Sure, there are some fun moments, but as a whole, the film is an unnecessary sequel akin to an Ocean’s Twelve or Thirteen where you can clearly tell the cast is having fun – possibly more than the audience.
Take plausibility out of the equation and The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard is still a ridiculous, trio buddy comedy with Grand Theft Auto-level violence and profanity that, if he wasn’t in the movie, would likely make Jackson blush. Hayek is the clear star of the film as she proves she can be as rough and tumble as her male counterparts, but overall, The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard is … Silly. Seriously. It’s a movie that feels like a 90s high school teen would have written or, at best, Michael Bay. It’s got some fun moments, but it’s nothing that will be the highlight of anyone’s resume thanks to the aforementioned video game level violence, constant quips and absolutely inane plot twists and turns.
