The Mechanic

Arthur Bishop (Statham) is the best of the best. The first scene is an invitation to observe the cunning and delicacy Arthur will employ to ensure that when he kills for a job, nobody’s going to find out it was him. After all, why search for a murderer when there’s no indication of murder?

The price for such a life? No real links, or ties, or family. One of his few friends is old Harry, one of his employers and a mentor as the top mechanic of yesteryear. Arthur has no regrets with what he does. A job’s a job. But the next job is Harry. Doing the deed isn’t too hard – though witnessing the anguish of Harry’s son Steve isn’t so easy to take. A mechanic works alone, but now he’s taken on an apprentice.

The marks come one by one and the training progresses, but something’s not quite right. There’s chemistry between the two assassins, but what is the fundamental basis of their relationship? Steve’s on a mission to find out, with Arthur covering his every move.

This remake of the Charles Bronson classic has everything you want from a modern day action film. Statham’s character is a juxtaposition of killing machine and lover of all things classic (vintage cars, vinyl, etc.). There are guns, explosions, car chases and a fair helping of pride that conveys well through the training of a protégé. The roles are ideally cast and if you loved ‘Crank’, then ‘The Mechanic’ is for you.

Robert Gardner