Now that we're 20-30 years past those days there are a few action heroes trying to bring the genre back to life. Among them is Scott Adkins. With supporting roles in films like THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM and THE EXPENDABLES 2 and having starred alongside the aforementioned Van Damme in ASSASSINATION GAMES and UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: DAY OF RECKONING, Adkins has made a name for himself as the heir apparent to the genre. But others have come and failed in the past. Can he achieve the success they missed? With ACCIDENT MAN it appears that there is a distinct possibility.
Adkins stars as Mike Fallon, one of a team of professional assassins for hire that work out of a bar owned by ex-killer Big Ray (Ray Stevenson). Each has their own particular style and abilities with Fallon's being able to make a murder seem like an accident. When the film opens he's killed one man making it look like suicide. He visits a nearby pub to work off the adrenaline by duking it out with a few unsavory types and then heads to Big Ray's bar.
At the bar we find Milton (David Paymer) in charge of making the arrangements for each kill. Fallon is given two assignments, the second of which he finds himself a potential target. Then word reaches him that his ex-girlfriend Beth has been killed during a random break in. In addition to that he also learns she was pregnant with his child. Visiting the crime scene, accessing the police department's files on the case he can tell this was not the work of two crackheads. In fact he recognizes it as the work of two fellow team mates.
This sets in motion a series of events that find Fallon facing off against his team mates as he tries to uncover the person responsible for placing the contract on his ex. Each step of the way he gains more information but with each new clue the potential for one of those members to show increases. Now he not only has to find who is responsible but face those members as well, discovering who is best in the process.
Adkins has that potential to be a bigger star than he is already. With gruff good looks and tremendous ability in martial arts skills women will fall in love and men will enjoy the action sequences. In addition to that his acting skills rate higher than most as well.
The rest of the cast is equally adept at the fight sequences with some of the best names in the business. One pair, Mike and Mack, are played by Michael Jai White (SPAWN, BLACK DYNAMITE) and Ray Park (Darth Maul from STAR WARS: THE PHANTOM MENACE), get into an amazing fight scene with Adkins that has him battling both men at the same time. It's an extremely well-choreographed scene that moves the story forward without any of the three losing their life. Actress and stunt woman Amy Johnston also has an amazing fight sequence with Adkins that is amazing.
One nice thing about the movie is that it never takes itself too seriously. What could have been bogged down as a man looking for revenge focusing more on the plot line as to why it happened instead plays out in comic book format here with over the top bad guys and assassins, never going deep into the motives for what happens as much as just using that to move the story forward and providing sensible reasons why the fight scenes take place. In other words rather than try to be high-brow it instead becomes a fun and darkly humorous story with plenty of action taking place.
The odds that this film ever played in a theater nearby are slim but it is readily available to buy or rent and for those who enjoy this sort of film you won't be disappointed. If cursing, high body counts, gruesome gore and all around mayhem aren't your thing you might want to miss it. If it is your thing then by all means look for this one and have a fun filled night.
Click here to order.
No comments:
Post a Comment