Parker
A thief with a unique code of professional ethics is double-crossed by his crew and left for dead. Assuming a new disguise and forming an unlikely alliance with a woman on the inside, he looks to hijack the score of the crew's latest heist.
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- Cast:
- Jason Statham , Jennifer Lopez , Nick Nolte , Michael Chiklis , Clifton Collins Jr. , Sala Baker , Carlos Carrasco
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Reviews
So much average
Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike
Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.
There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.
The storyline in "Parker" was adequate, but it was a bit too ordinary and mundane, and something that has been done too many times, and that is what ultimately made the movie mediocre.The story is about a heist gone awry and the mind behind it is betrayed by his fellow criminals. Leaving Parker behind for dead, the gang moves on to their next big heist. But Parker is not dead, and no one double-crosses Parker and walks away.The action sequences were good, but they couldn't pull up the mediocre storyline. And as such, this wasn't one of Jason Statham's better movies.As for the acting, well it was good. And Michael Chiklis delivered a good performance alongside Jason Statham. I can't claim to find Jennifer Lopez to be a talented actress, so casting her for this movie was beyond my comprehension. There are far better female talents who could have delivered so much more to the movie by having a knack for acting."Parker" is a good enough action movie, just weighed down by a mediocre plot and storyline. And as far a Statham movie goes, then it was something he could do with his eyes closed.
If Jason Statham has been stuck in one-dimensional roles, he's not going to make any breakthrough at Parker, despite having southern accent and hair at the first scene. A bit of action, more of heist thriller, Parker is overly long and awkwardly paced. Fight scenes are sparse, for those who hope for high octane skull mashing, this probably won't meet such expectation. Addition of Jennifer Lopez adds some light humorous touches, warranting her appearance more than just an eye candy.Parker (Jason Statham) is a man betrayed by his teammate after completing an almost botched heist, he was shot and left to death. Unsurprisingly, he doesn't die and vows revenge instead. Most of the movie is cat-and-mouse plots as he chases them across countries in not so exciting pace. There are a couple of fights in between, although the amount feels lacking for a movie led by Jason. For these few scenes, they are done quite well. Unbarred bone breaking punches, kicks and other assortments of nearby potential weapon swinging are viscerally entertaining.The rest is a bare heist plot, which really won't hold a candle compare to more cerebral crime action movies. Pacing is undeniably slow, most of the things happening on-screen, even some with both leads appearing, are somewhat lackluster. The movie has about two hours in length and frankly with this long dragging set-up, one might expect some clever scheme building up towards the end, but it is not so. Without spoiling anything, the pace is equally stale from start to finish.Jason Statham bring his usual screen presence, he's a rugged, honor bound thief who keeps his principles religiously. When he threatens or hurts someone, he does so very earnestly, at that regard, he fulfills his role. However, there's little difference from other Statham's movies. Jennifer Lopez as Leslie is actually quite good. For someone who has superstar fame, she acts as poor people convincingly. There are modesty and honesty when she appears as well, making her likable to the audience, aside for her popularly known hind allure.The two leading actors do their parts well, however the script and direction are mediocre. Parker is a bland movie, which has brief excitements across its lengthy run, albeit barely enough for the whole.
Jason Statham is type cast for a good reason. He has a limited acting range and unfortunately he tries to stretch it a little too far in this film. I was looking forward to a typical Statham film, and this is not really that bad, but it's messed up some by Statham attempting to reach depths of character that are beyond him. "A man's got to know his limitations," and Statham usually does, but not quite here. Jennifer Lopez is another big letdown. She couldn't act her way out of a wet paper bag. Also, jeez, when she whines about the obnoxious behavior of the spoiled mega-rich it's just too much, given that she herself in real life is very well known for being utterly insufferable and bizarrely demanding. (These complaints voiced from her character make it hard to sustain any suspension of disbelief. Maybe her unconvincing down-to-earth act was supposed to be ironic or meta or something?) On the positive side, Statham is his usual indestructible self and the plot is workable, although there are a lot of holes if one stops to really think about it. Even allowing for all of my grouses, there is probably enough "Statham action" to satisfy all but his most die- hard fans, so this effort squeaks by with a passing grade. Perversely, if this film had tried to be less, it could have been so much more.
It's just another mediocre thriller with Jason Statham, lots of action, fast paced, yet lacking essence and believable story, it doesn't make you care enough for whats going on. I didn't finish watching the movie, because I sort of understood how it will go, I guess it can entertain you for 2 hours if you have low expectations and play the movie just for the heck of it, but expecting some big thrill from this is just out of the question, its instant entertainment lasting no more than it plays, the moment it ends, it will fade away in your mind.Jason plays out his usual self, tough guy, fighter, the rest of cast did an OK job, apart from Michael Chiklis who's acting skills were really unsatisfactory.5/10