Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard returns to spice up the action comedy genre, after the first film grossed over $176 million worldwide. This time, we see Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds) forced back to work, with Sonia Kincaid (Salma Hayek) as the driving force. The film retains its original concept of witty banter and thrilling action, but is it as fun as the first? Let's find out.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
After the events of the first film, Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds) decides to take a break from bodyguarding to recover his mental health. But then Sonia Kincaid (Salma Hayek), the wild wife of Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson), appears and asks him to help find her kidnapped husband. Michael reluctantly teams up with Sonia to rescue Darius, before the trio gets dragged into the scheme of Aristotle (Antonio Banderas), a criminal genius planning a massive sabotage across Europe. The film unfolds with packed action scenes and the same cheeky dialogue style.
Acting and Characters
The three lead actors still have perfect chemistry. Ryan Reynolds continues to play Michael as perpetually stressed and anxious, contrasting with Samuel L. Jackson's cool and brash Darius. The highlight of this sequel is Salma Hayek, who steals every scene she's in with her craziness and full-on comedic delivery. Antonio Banderas plays a stylish villain, but his role might not be as standout as expected. Morgan Freeman, who appears as Darius's brother, adds novelty but feels like a cameo.
Direction, Cinematography, and Music
Director Patrick Hughes returns to helm the sequel. He continues to emphasize fast-paced action and beautiful European locations, from Croatia to Italy. Cinematography by Terry Stacey (from John Wick) gives the fight and chase scenes a stylish look, but sometimes the editing is too quick, making it hard to follow. The soundtrack still features fun pop songs, but it's not as memorable as the first film.
Editorial Analysis
The editorial team feels that this sequel tries to increase plot intensity by making Sonia the driving force, but it backfires as her comedic antics and craziness may be overdone, making the film tiresome. Unlike the first film, where the relationship between Michael and Darius had interesting development, this one loops back to the same jokes and a predictable plot. However, fans who enjoy mindless fun can still have a good time.
Verdict
Overall, Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard retains the fun and humor of the original but lacks freshness and a strong plot. It's suitable for fans who want to see Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson banter again, or those looking for a mindless weekend movie. If you expect more than the first film, you might need to lower your expectations.
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +Chemistry of the three lead actors is still top-notch
- +Action scenes are spectacular and stylish
- +Full of cheeky humor, especially from Salma Hayek
👎 Cons
- −Weak and clichéd plot typical of action films
- −117-minute runtime feels stretched in some parts
- −Villain is not intimidating or memorable
Top Cast
FAQ
The film was released in theaters across Thailand in 2021. Currently, it can be watched on streaming platforms like Netflix or via VOD channels.
If you liked the first film and enjoy mindless action comedies, it can be fun. But if you expect a tighter plot or new jokes, you might be disappointed.
The film is a sequel to The Hitman's Bodyguard (2017) and is followed by The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard (2021). There are rumors of a third film in development.
