Jason Statham brings grit and restraint to a familiar action formula
When one thinks of male action heroes in films, a few names often come up. People like Arnold Schwarzenegger (The Terminator Franchise), Sylvester Stallone (Rambo), Bruce Willis (Die Hard), Tom Cruise (The Mission: Impossible Franchise), and Keanu Reeves (The John Wick Franchise) tend to be synonymous with films with lots of fight, chase, and action scenes. More recently, another name can be added to that list - Jason Statham (The Meg). Whether he is battling prehistoric marine creatures or joining Stallone in the Expendables Franchise, he generally stars in movies with many fight sequences featuring martial arts and/or weapons. His latest release, Shelter, is no different, although it also shows a little bit of a softer side from the actor as well.
Michael Mason (Statham) is a former MI6 elite agent who worked on a special project known as Black Kite. However, when he disobeyed a direct order, he became enemy number 1 and went off the grid. For 10 years, he lived alone on a deserted Scottish island while the world thought he was dead. However, when Jesse (Bodhi Rae Breathnach; Hamnet) and her uncle get caught in a deadly storm while bringing Mason supplies, Mason saves Jesse's life. In the end, he gets caught by facial recognition software, and suddenly he and Jesse are hunted by two factions of the MI organization while Mason does everything he possibly can to keep Jesse and himself alive.
Statham once again plays the dark, stoic, mysterious guy who keeps everyone at arm's length and who tends to have a less-than-stellar past. He also plays the ex-military guy who, at some point in his past, was part of an elite, special forces unit. To say this role wasn't much of a stretch for him would be an understatement. His co-star, Breathnach, is very good for being so young, and she does a terrific job with the various emotions she encounters throughout the movie. Bill Nighy (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest) once again portrays a villain, a role he is familiar with. Naomi Ackie (Blink Twice) does a good job as well.
Director Ric Roman Waugh (Angel Has Fallen) is no stranger to the action genre, and his experience is evident here as he uses numerous camera angles to give the fight scenes some variety. He blends the action and drama well so as not to wear out the audience, neither with the fighting nor the plot points that move the story along. Of course, the action sequences are well thought out and choreographed, be it a car crash, a gun fight, or hand-to-hand combat. All of it is well done, which should please the multitude of action fans who will most likely go to see Shelter in theaters. As a side note, the audio is excellent with layers of ambient noise enveloping the dialogue without overpowering it.
While Shelter isn't going to win any film awards, it is far from the "junk" we are used to seeing this time of year. There are some stunning visuals of coastline and mountains, yet others, such as when Mason and Jesse are riding on a stolen motorcycle, clearly look as if they utilized a green screen. The fight choreography looks natural and well-placed and isn't put in just to add more fighting (which I sometimes feel happens with action films such as John Wick: Chapter 4). However, I did feel the film is a tad bit too long and starts a little on the slow side.
If you are a fan of action movies and have been craving a new one, Shelter is a decent option and is worth spending your money on.
Grade: C+
