Jason Statham? Check. Female Asian co-star? Check. Bad guys? Check. Epic action sequences? Check and check.
Despite making the same movie over and over again for the past decade, Jason Statham has fortunately picked a good one. Combine that with his magnetic charisma, masculine good looks, effortless action star qualities and and quick wit, and you’ve got yourself another winner: ‘Safe’.
After a former garbage collector turned cage fighter Luke Wright fails to take a dive during a high-stakes match, his wife is killed by the Russian mafia in retribution. They leave Wright with less than nothing - just the promise that they’ll be watching him and go after anyone he comes in contact with, forcing him to become destitute, spending his days walking the streets of New York.
'SAFE' TRAILER
Meanwhile, across the globe, a genius level 12-year-old Chinese girl Mei (Catherine Chan) with a photographic memory is kidnapped by the Triad and sent to the U.S. where she learns the hard way about “business”. When Mei is entrusted with a long and priceless numerical code, it seems everyone in New York wants what’s in her brain. After Luke witnesses Mei being pursued by the same men that murdered his wife he comes to her aide... and it seems that not only was Luke no ordinary garbage collector, but this mysterious code goes all the way to the top.
Names like Chris Sarandon, James Hong, Reggie Lee and Anson Mount round out the cast and legitimise the plot and its political story line.
Writer/director Boaz Yakin (‘Remember the Titans’) shows that he has a real knack for action films. The fight and chase sequences are smooth, elegant, original and high impact. Statham is Statham, racking up a high body count to rival any Liam Neeson or Quentin Tarantino film, but with his killer smile and a cute co-star, this film manages to sneak in a little heart and soul too. All in all, Statham once again proves that he’s far too talented to keep making these movies but I guess if it ain’t broke...
Names like Chris Sarandon, James Hong, Reggie Lee and Anson Mount round out the cast and legitimise the plot and its political story line.
Jason Statham fans know well what to expect - a stylish and exhilarating ride all the way to the end.