The Mechanic

Was nützt eine geschickt aufgenommene Action, wenn man vom Anfang bis zum Ende das Gefühl hat, dass das Remake des ausgezeichneten Films Kalter Hauch völlig überflüssig ist und vor allem deshalb entstanden ist, weil die Drehbuchautoren keine Ideen mehr hatten. Außerdem fehlt in dieser Version das, was Bronsons Original so außergewöhnlich macht: die Darstellung der freundschaftlichen Beziehung zwischen "dem Lehrer und dem Schüler“. Ohne sie funktioniert der ganze Film meiner Meinung nach einfach nicht. Er wird zu einem routinemäßigen Action-Killer-Streifen, in dem der Hauptheld manchmal als Volltrottel dargestellt wird (es sind genau die Momente, in welchen die Geschichte vom Originalfilm abweicht). Darüber hinaus kommt mir Jason Statham in den Rollen von solchen Action-Kerlen immer irgendwie unglaubwürdig vor (eine Ausnahme war nur der Film The Expendables). Ich habe nämlich ständig den Eindruck, dass er sich – im Unterschied zu Schwarzenegger, Stallone oder Willis – zu ernst nimmt. Und dass er keine Mimik hat. Bald werden sich Witze über ihn verbreiten. Den ersten (und besten) wird sich Chuck Norris ausdenken. (29.09.2012)

It is very cold and conceptual, without any idea or the ability to captivate – purely half-hearted routine. From the well-known names involved in the film, I expected something much better. And from Ben Foster, I expected better acting. Surprisingly average action. (20.06.2011)

I wasn't at all surprised that the theater was completely empty. I haven't seen a single ad for this movie and if it weren't for FilmBooster, I probably wouldn't have even known about it. I’m finally seeing Statham as a good actor. I have to admit, he has some charisma and grit to him. The movie felt pretty real and not over the top. I was covering my eyes during the garbage disposal scene. Still, I have to criticize the boring beginning. The acting was good, the ending was above standard. Somehow I want to liken it to The American... here I missed an attractive city and atmosphere. On the other hand, The Mechanic was grittier and more involved. Maybe the empty cinema helped, but I’m rating the film above average... 3.5 stars. (17.08.2011)

An undying zombie. I’m not a fan of the original, but I was expecting a better upgrade with this film. West will clearly never again come out of the shadow of his own first film, even though it does have both swing and plenty of blood in certain moments (though I have to wonder if its digital form is the definitive standard for contemporary cinema). The biggest problem I see is mostly in the motivations of the main characters, which I find, no matter how categorically I look at it, incredibly demented. Even the traditionally good "stone-faced" Statham and the speedy handsome Foster can't save it from the resulting implausibility. 2 ½. (22.02.2011)

A solid genre movie with several very cool moments. The escape by wheelchair us one of the most incredibly hilarious scenes that you have ever seen. The action is nice, but economical, the screenplay full of plotholes and Simon West doesn’t have the sense to make up for that elsewhere. At least Jason is Jason and Foster is Foster and the dancer is hot as hell. (23.04.2011)