Throwing in my two cents *spoliers*

"The Hitman's Bodyguard". When the trailer dropped for this movie, it was somewhat hyped up. A comedy starring Samuel L. Jackson, and Ryan Reynolds? Sounds like a great idea! Both are wonderful actors, and on top of that, Salma Hayek, and Gary Oldman join the cast. Sounds like a plan to make a funny movie, with a highly talented cast.

I finally sat down to watch the movie, and was greeted by an opening of Reynold's client, whom he was supposed to protect, get shot in pretty graphic detail... Yeah, when i saw the preview, i imagined we were gonna get some graphic violence, but it wasn't even played for laughs.

Then we cut to our first funny moment of the movie, where Reynolds is now down on his luck, and now protecting drug dealers. This scene works because Reynolds's dry delivery amongst the action is just perfectly done. However the tone awkwardly shifts again to Oldman, playing a Russian dictator, murdering a man's wife and child... My dad was watching this movie with me, and he turned to me and said "Did we pick 'The Hitman's Bodyguard'?" I honestly was shocked too, this was so out of left field! Granted, Oldman played the scene beautifully, but it was like the opening but much darker.

We cut and find out the man is testifying in court against Oldman, but not enough to prosecute him. We then cut to Samuel L. Jackson's character, who agrees to testify against him in court. They try to transfer him away, with Elodie Yung as the agent transporting him, and once more, the tone shifts from comedy to a dramatic action packed sequence where multiple people are gunned down. In the film "Deadpool", their was a high body count, but it never lost its comedic edge, however here, this movie takes a dramatic turn, and honestly it feels more like the director's fault.

Anyway Yung assigns Reynolds to transport Jackson across the country to get him to testify while being hunted down. This is where the film gets genuinely fun, and the banter between Reynolds and Jackson is just perfect. The comedy never ends when these two are talking, and when they share their history, including a funny performance by Salma Hayek as Jackson's husband. The whole film becomes fun, even in the action sequences.

Later, after Jackson leaves flowers on top of a tower for his wife in jail to see, we figure out Yung's character didn't let it slip who Reynolds client was who got shot, Jackson was just there at the right moment. This was kinda forced, but well done enough to actually care, since Reynolds later reunites with Yung, and I think it was because the chemistry between the actors is just top notch. Well Reynolds leaves to let Jackson try to save himself, and of course the henchman try to attack, leading to my favorite scene and line, where Reynolds is complaining to the bartender while the fight is happening around him, and says "He ruined the word MotherF**ker! How do you do that?!?".

Reynolds, of course, saves him, but gets captured and tortured, once again shifting the tone... ugh!!!! Just. Let. It. Be. Comedy!!!!! Anyway, Jackson saves him, They testify, Oldman tries to kill them all, Reynolds takes a bullet for Jackson, Jackson kills Oldman, and a crowd surrounds Oldman to destroy his body, Jackson goes to prison, and escapes to mexico to be with his wife for their anniversary, and Reynolds reunites with Yung.

And that was "The Hitman's Bodyguard". I've seen people call this film trash, and i can see why they'd think it's trash. The best moments are definitely the banter between Jackson and Reynolds. Their respective love interests are well done, especially with Hayek getting some great lines. The movie just has awkward tone shifts from its comedic edge to its dramatic side. I think what the director was trying to do was have the stakes raised by Oldman's character so we'd feel more compelled to hope Jackson will make it to take him down. The movie at points doesn't take itself seriously, but then does in the next moment. I think if this script had someone like Tarantino directing it, this movie would've been much much stronger, but as is, it's an awkward film. Would i watch it again? Most likely, maybe in a year with a few friends if we wanna kill a night. The acting is strong, and some of the dialogue is good. Yes the film is clichéd beyond reason, but i believe the movie is just a concept to crack jokes, except at the parts where it becomes a drama. If you don't mind weird tone shifts, and are looking for an entertaining comedy to enjoy, definitely check it out, but if you're looking for "Blazing Saddles", or "Dr. Stranglove" this movie isn't for you.

6.5/10

Thanks for reading my review of this movie, and i hope you have a wonderful day/night! If you'd like to discuss some stuff, let me know down in the comments, and I'll see you next review!