Chaos (2006)

A suspended policeman is brought back into action to investigate a bank robbery together with a new partner, fresh from the academy.

'Chaos' is an old fashioned police thriller. It tries to suggest many complex and intelligent ideas but without providing the necessary basis to make them believable. The film has a strong cast, but a script that does not help it exceed the label  of "run of the mill".

Director:  Tony Giglio     

With: Jason Statham, Ryan Phillippe, Wesley Snipes, Justine Waddell, Henry Czerny, Nicholas Lea

Rating: 6.9/10

Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre (2023)

A team of secret agents for hire participates in a mission in which they have to find out what was stolen, by whom and who is the buyer.

'Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre' is the latest Guy Ritchie made production. Fresh but uninteresting, the film manages to bring back to attention names that were once on everyone's lips (Josh Hartnett, Cary Elwes..) but unfortunately without a suitable script. It works ok as a run of the mill spy film, but it is far below expectations for a Guy Ritchie movie.

Director:  Guy Ritchie    

With: Jason Statham, Aubrey Plaza, Cary Elwes, Hugh Grant, Josh Hartnett, Eddie Marsan, Peter Ferdinando

Rating: 6/10

Wrath of Man (2021)

A gangster father infiltrates a private security team to track down those guilty of a personal tragedy.

'Wrath Of Man' is a Guy Ritchie film, but without his personal style using humorous and ironic dialogue, London slang and colorful characters from the English underworld. This film has only one Englishman, who doesn't speak much, but is efficient, determined, enjoyable to watch (he sometimes reminds us of the driver from the first film of the Transporter series) and some interesting American characters, but the strength of the film lies in the pure, raw action, in the the gradual unveiling of the mystery of the main protagonist's intentions, and the final validation of the audience's wishes. What still preserves the high quality of Ritchie's style is his wonderful ability to tell a story in a rhythm and a cadence perfectly molded to the tension and emotional involvement of the viewer.

Director:  Guy Ritchie 

With: Jason Statham, Holt McCallany, Josh Hartnett, Rocci Williams, Scott Eastwood, Andy Garcia, Laz Alonso, Eddie Marsan, Jeffrey Donovan

Rating: 9/10

Homefront (2013)

A former DEA agent lives a secluded life with his daughter, but manages to raise the attention of the local meth traffickers.

'Homefront' is an action movie starring Jason Statham. It can't get simpler or more generic. What is surprising, however, is the number of more atypical project actors attached to the production. Maybe an uninspired producer promised them great profits, or maybe they had high expectations from a screenplay written by Sylvester Stallone.

Director:  Gary Fleder    

With: Jason Statham, James Franco, Winona Ryder, Kate Bosworth, Clancy Brown

Rating: 6/10

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)

In a reality where artificially augmented humans exist, Hobbs and Shaw are forced to work together to stop such a villain who wants to seize a dangerous biological weapon.

'Hobbs & Shaw' is part of the now very large 'Fast & Furious' family. Less ridiculous than the original film series, and somewhat more diversified in terms of plot and characters, this film is successful in what it aims to be, namely a modern and entertaining action film. The names of the cast do not include only actors known for action roles (like Idris Elba and Vanessa Kirby - recently nominated for Oscars and Bafta) and that helps a lot, especially since they are not only given just some monochrome roles.

Director:  David Leitch   

With: Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Idris Elba, Vanessa Kirby

Rating: 7/10

The Meg (2018)

Un proiect impresionant de explorare a gropii Marianelor descopera aproape accidental prezenta unui rechin preistoric conservat in conditii nemaipomenite.

Un film de exploatare a trendurilor cu monstri cu Jason Statham plasat abil in fruntea echipei de actori. Clar vizand doar castiguri financiare, filmul este slab la categoria dialog si portretizare a personajelor, tintind direct la ce e recunoscut ca popular si atragator pentru masele amatoare de blockbustere. Povestea nu e rea, dar cartea pe care e bazata pare mai interesanta si ceva mai credibila (de exemplu supravietuirea la fundul marii a unei specii izolate ar implica o sensibilitate severa la lumina si lipsa de pigmenti). In materie de entertainment, se poate mult mai rau, deoarece filmul de fata e vizual placut si contine actori carismatici.

Regia:  Jon Turteltaub    

Cu: Jason Statham, Bingbing Li, Rainn Wilson, Cliff Curtis

Rating: 7/10

Also read in English