Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson reunite with director Patrick Hughes in Lionsgate, The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard. Four years after the events of The Hitman's Bodyguard, Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds) is down on his luck, which means it's vacation time. During a company-mandated sabbatical from his bodyguard duties, Michael finds himself inexplicably reuniting with the Kincaid’s.
Sonia Kincaid (Salma Hayek), the wife of hitman Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson), needs Michael's help. It turns out that Darius has gotten himself in a bit of pickle and needs rescuing. As you know, Bryce shares an uneasy friendship with Darius and is not too keen on helping.
Due to his sabbatical, Bryce cannot use firearms or lethal weapons of any kind and must use his wits and intelligence to save Darius, which makes for some humorous moments. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, diabolical genius and Mafia kingpin Aristotle Papadopoulos (Antonio Banderas) is intent on taking over the world with the assistance of his goons Magnusson (Tom Hopper) and Veronika (Gabriella Wright).
As fate would have it, during the rescue of Darius, something goes wrong. Thus, Sonia, Darius, and Michael find themselves recruited by Interpol agent Bobby O'Neil (Frank Grillo) to take down Aristotle Papadopoulos. Throw Morgan Freeman in a role that I will not reveal here, and you have a good ole fashioned action buddy film.
The kindred chemistry between Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson was one of 2017's The Hitman's Bodyguard highlights. Given the original film's booming box office, a sequel was inevitable. Tom O'Connor, who wrote the original film, returns to handling scripting duties and receives assistance from Phillip Murphy and Brandon Murphy. The trio of writers knows precisely what kind of movie the audience wants to see, and the film does not disappoint. Samuel L. Jackson delivers plenty of F-Bombs, while Reynolds taps into his subdued, calm manner that audiences love.
The real highlight of the trio, though, is Salma Hayek, who brings sex appeal, charm, and impressive weapon handling to the role of Sonia. No stranger to sleazy violence (i.e., 2014's Everly), Hayek has just as much fun as the boys in the film. Perhaps we can get a one-off movie or graphic novel focusing on Sonia Kincaid before she met Darius, as the character is rather fun.
Frank Grillo, Antonio Banderas, and Morgan Freeman are all new additions to the cast and fun as well. I do want to give Frank Grillo fans a heads up that the actor does not kick any ass in the film and only fires a weapon once, but he does bring his usual alpha male mannerisms to the role. Antonio Banderas and Morgan Freeman provide solid supporting work, with Banderas hamming it up as a villain. As for Mr. Freeman, the less you know the better. However, I will say his character reveal was one I did not expect.
The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard is most definitely a HARD R. The film is full of F-Bombs, sexual situations, and non-stop action. The violence in the movie is fast and furious (pun intended). So just a fair warning to those who may have issues with themes.
Clocking in at 99 mins, The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard harks back to the action-filled buddy flicks I grew up on in the eighties. I hope that this is not the last hurrah for Michael Bryce and the Kincaid's.
Final Grade: B
The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard opens in theaters today.