The Doorman

The Doorman (2020) is fairly typical of low-budget direct-to-video made-in-Eastern-Europe fare. Production values are better than average for similar films. The actors do as well as can be expected with the material they're provided. But the screenplay is uninspired, with far too many coincidences, contrivances, and familiar tropes. The movie seems very similar to Force of Nature (2020), starring Mel Gibson, which also suffered from far too many coincidences.

Ruby Rose handles her fight scenes fairly well, but could have been replaced by a department store mannequin in some of the other scenes. Jean Reno delivers an effortless performance as the villain, which is nevertheless interesting to watch. Aksel Hennie, Rupert Evans, and Philip Whitchurch deliver credible performances. Some scenes drag; many are predictable. It's what might be termed a multi-tasking video, one that can be watched while doing something else without missing much.

The lead character is very likeable. She does good fight scenes and is an up and coming actress. As a lead she held her own but she's not quite ready for the major leagues yet. So that's how I see this film. It is the seasoning process for a future massive action star. I'm pretty sure she will become a huge franchise actress someday. In that sense watching a movie like this shows her more humble beginnings.

Normally I'm a very forgiving person when it comes to movie like The Doorman and just Die Hard rip off movies in general but when you got a pretty stacked cast and Ryuhei fricking Kitamura as the director and the result is just another bargain bin action flick then what are you even doing here? I mean Ruby Rose as a lead action heroine is not a bad choice when she can pull out some believable action scenes but beside her everyone from Dan Southworth, Louis Mandylor, and Jean Reno they all acting like they don't even want to be in this movie, to be honest. There not a glimpse of Ryuhei's over the top filming style up until the final act and even it can't even save the whole goddamn movie from itself. I hope this movie is just a quick warm-up for Ryuhei Kitamura before he goes on and directs that Versus remake cause I'm definitely not buying this one.

No. Just don't. Heroine is awful, flat. Characters are unlikeable, including her. Completely predictable plot. Don't waste your time. Watch anything else by Jean. Cold Blood is a good option.

So let me be clear this is not a cinematic masterpiece BUT I don't think it was written to be. It has decent fight scenes, keeps you guessing and is a ok use of time for an action movie, it definitely does not deserve the hate it's getting. I wouldn't pay new release money to watch it but for a small rent fee it was worth it..especially during Covid boredom and a rash of terrible terrible movies.