Directed By: Ilya Naishuller
Directing – 8
I think Naishuller’s direction was good, but I did think some of the choices could have been different. For example, we do get Hutch’s lifestyle in montages, which is fine. However, I feel that we should have gotten more of Hutch’s day-to-day lifestyle, or his entire week for that matter, without the use of montages. Maybe a minute or two of each part of his day, and then the montage sequences would have been a bit more necessary. It feels a bit rushed at times, in the beginning. An extra 10-15 minutes wouldn’t have hurt. I do think the action and the film were handled pretty well for the most part. Also, it was nice to show Odenkirk’s character actually be human from a physical, mental, and emotional side.
Cinematography – 10
I think the cinematography was good for this film. I think it definitely looked nice and I feel like it was done nicely. Also, I couldn’t tell if this was just the movie theater itself, or if this was a director’s choice, but the minimal grain felt like a nice touch added as well.
Score – 10
The score was done pretty well, also the music that was added by the director was also placed nicely.
Story – 7
The story follows a man Hutch Mansell a man who is just living his average life week in and week out, and some unexpected events occur, that allow him to have to be the man he once was. I like how the story isn’t just an action film to be an action film we follow Hutch who is a man who is trying to be at peace, he struggles with many things in his life such as family drama, finance, etc. He has to try and learn how to feel like himself again, and we go along on that journey with him, he at times just wants to be a better family man, but many choices that he makes are hard for him, he messes up at times, he isn’t a perfect man and when he makes a mistake you just feel a bit like, Damn! You know he just wants to be a better man for his family, but with the many obstacles that are put in front of him and the choices, he makes he has to decide what is better for them and him. In some ways, this film is about a man who is just trying to be satisfied with his own life, or the life he has been given. Eventually, he ends up getting back to his old mysterious tough guy roots. The story was done well, and I liked the way the film was written. I do have some negatives, the story does have some similar elements to John Wick, the dialogue a few times could have been better, also like I said use of seeing Hutch’s life, at least seeing his whole week play out without montage would have been nice. One more thing, it was nice to see Odenkirk even struggle with being this man with a dangerous past, he is not perfect, he can’t just beat the fuck out of everybody without being a little bit damaged along the way. It was nice to show that he is a fucking awesome when he kicks the shit out of the villains, but he isn’t perfect. I’m glad that they made Hutch human.
Acting – 10
I think that acting was great. Everyone does well in their roles, especially Bob Odenkirk, who does a fantastic job in the movie. He does a good job at playing a middle-aged family man, who is trying to a better man for his family, while also having this extremely dangerous and mysterious past. He is very likable, you understand him as a person and his motives. I would like to see more of him. Hopefully in a Sequel especially a little bit longer maybe more of Odenkirk being a family man and trying to do more to make sure his family is safe and happy and especially him more of his struggles as well.
Post-Production – 8
Like I said other than just the use of all of Hutch’s life in montages, I had not many problems with the editing and effects, etc.
Entertainment – 9
I said this movie could have been an extra 10-15 minutes longer because they used a ton of montage sequences for a good portion of Hutch’s lifestyle. Other than that movie, the movie was pretty good. I thought Bob Odenkirk was great in the film, everyone did pretty well, the action was great, the story was nice. Overall, a nice action film.
Final Rating
8.8/10 – Nice fun action film!
