Hitman & Bodyguard 2

Bodyguard Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds) is haunted from losing a client to hitman Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson). He lost his credentials in the aftermath. He's taking a sabbatical from violence and guns. He's kidnapped by Darius' wife Sonia (Salma Hayek) to join her in rescuing Darius. Then the trio gets kidnapped by Interpol to stop supervillain Aristotle Papdopolous (Antonio Banderas).

The first movie is a mess but I like the actors' chemistry. I especially like Salma Hayek's scene stealing turns. I thought that the movie needed to make the duo into a trio. In this sequel, that's exactly what happens. Salma Hayek becomes a central lead. She's as crazy as ever. I like her craziness coupled with Ryan Reynolds. The story remains a mess. Quite frankly, the plot doesn't really matter. It is frenetic to the point of chaotic. Nobody should care about the diamond drill. I just enjoy some of the moments with the three leads together. Everything else around them is a blur and there are great actors being wasted as supporting characters. What the franchise needs at this point is competent writing and a director willing to let these three actors cook for long stretches. It doesn't need a heavy hand at the wheel pushing the plot.

I liked the first film I felt the chemistry between the leads was excellent. They played off of each other very well. This film has reduced Reynold's character to a version of every Tracy Morgan character. Whiney. Moronic. Irritating. I don't remember his character as such in the first film (perhaps I've just forgotten?). The addition of Banderas and Freeman were a nice touch, but they were under utilized to the point that there was no connection to them. The plot is weak and never really feels like it delivers on the "thriller" aspect. It was ok, but I'm glad it was a Redbox rental.

This film is precisely why I enjoyed the first instalment. It's so much fun!

Of course it has some issues which I'll address, but on the whole it's an entertaining, action packed film that is enjoyable in the right areas

So what's the issues? The first 45 mins or so Salma Hayek's character was really annoying. She used that OTT and loud humour which I hate and was just generally quite a jarring character. Luckily, she definitely grows on you and by the end I loved her.

The plot itself for me has one big "flaw". And that's that the villain and the plot to destroy Europe was all just a bit pointless really. The film is designed to focus on the dynamic of the 3 main characters and that's great, but there is next to no depth or info on the villain and the plot he has to destroy Europe. I have literally just turned off the film and I honestly cannot tell you the villains name.

Other than those 2 points the film maintains what made the first film great. Good humour, fun characters and a lot of action. Which, let's be honest, is what you want in an action comedy movie. Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L Jackson maintain that fun chemistry between them and it shows on screen and the added depth with Salma Hayek and Morgan Freeman just added a little more the overall dynamic which was nice.

Was it better than the first movie? I'd edge the first one personally as I found it a bit funnier. But this does keep a decent level of humour and the action is exactly what you want. Was I entertained? Yes. And ultimately that's what I want with this kind of film. 7/10 from me!

I did thoroughly enjoy the 2017 movie "The Hitman's Bodyguard", so when I saw that there was a sequel coming out and seeing that they vastly improved on the cast, I must admit that I was thrilled to get to sit down and watch the 2021 movie "The Hitman's Bodyguard".

However, while "The Hitman's Bodyguard" certainly was watchable and entertaining enough, it just didn't have the punch and the comedy that the 2017 movie offered. And it was a bit disappointing actually. And oddly so since they really upped the game with the likes of Morgan Freeman, Salma Hayek and Antonio Banderas added to the cast list.

The storyline told in this 2021 sequel was just a bit too mundane in comparison to the first movie. Sure, the movie was fun and entertaining enough for what it was. Just a shame that it never managed to get up to the same level as the 2017 movie "The Hitman's Bodyguard" did.

Of course it is fun to see Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson back on the screen together. And I do admit that having Salma Hayek as part of the main cast was definitely fun, especially with her particular character and that accent.

There is a good amount of action in the movie, though it does feel a bit wasted given the movie's otherwise mundane storyline.

I must say, though, that "Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard" wasn't as entertaining as I had hoped. But it is adequate enough for a single viewing if you're in for an evening of some light-hearted action comedy.

And I do find it a shame that writers Phillip Murphy and Brandon Murphy didn't manage to take this 2021 movie up to the same level as its predecessor.

My rating of director Patrick Hughes' 2021 movie lands on a mediocre five out of ten stars.

I thought this film was very entertaining. It is action packed, and has lots of very funny jokes. I enjoyed it a lot.