Jason Statham is back at it again, playing the same old character he's been playing for years - a former special forces operative haunted by his violent past. This is a familiar setup for fans of action movies, which often boil down to the hero sulking in his tent until he's forced to fight once more.
In "Shelter", Statham plays Mason, a super-soldier with secrets who finds himself on a remote island in the Outer Hebrides, hiding from MI6. His only companions are his German shepherd Jack and an orphaned girl named Jesse, whom he takes under his wing after her uncle is killed in a boating accident.
The film's plot is formulaic and predictable, relying on familiar tropes that have been overused in the action genre. Mason finds himself hunted by MI6 agents sent to kill him, but with the help of Jack, a dog that seems almost super-soldier itself, he manages to evade them all.
The only thing that sets "Shelter" apart is its fight choreography, which is solid and entertaining. Statham shows off his action hero skills in several impressive set pieces, including a nightclub shootout cribbed from Collateral.
But the real standout of the film is young Bodhi Rae Breathnach as Jesse, who proves herself to be a talented young actress after her turn as Susanna Shakespeare in Hamnet. Her chemistry with Statham is undeniable, and their unlikely friendship at the center of the film adds an emotional depth that's sorely lacking in the rest of the plot.
The final showdown between Mason and Bill Nighy's rogue MI6 agent feels unearned, given how unstoppable Mason has been so far. But overall, "Shelter" delivers on its promise of high-octane action and will likely satisfy fans of Statham's work.
In "Shelter", Statham plays Mason, a super-soldier with secrets who finds himself on a remote island in the Outer Hebrides, hiding from MI6. His only companions are his German shepherd Jack and an orphaned girl named Jesse, whom he takes under his wing after her uncle is killed in a boating accident.
The film's plot is formulaic and predictable, relying on familiar tropes that have been overused in the action genre. Mason finds himself hunted by MI6 agents sent to kill him, but with the help of Jack, a dog that seems almost super-soldier itself, he manages to evade them all.
The only thing that sets "Shelter" apart is its fight choreography, which is solid and entertaining. Statham shows off his action hero skills in several impressive set pieces, including a nightclub shootout cribbed from Collateral.
But the real standout of the film is young Bodhi Rae Breathnach as Jesse, who proves herself to be a talented young actress after her turn as Susanna Shakespeare in Hamnet. Her chemistry with Statham is undeniable, and their unlikely friendship at the center of the film adds an emotional depth that's sorely lacking in the rest of the plot.
The final showdown between Mason and Bill Nighy's rogue MI6 agent feels unearned, given how unstoppable Mason has been so far. But overall, "Shelter" delivers on its promise of high-octane action and will likely satisfy fans of Statham's work.