Parker Review-Does Statham Still Got It?
The Parker series of novels by Donald Westlake are some of the most entertaining books out there, which is without a doubt. The film Parker is based on the book “Flashfire”, one of over twenty Parker tales in existence. With such a legacy behind it, how does this 2013 Jason Statham vehicle measure up to it’s printed word predecessors?
Directed by Taylor Hackford (Ray), the film is what you would expect from a Statham action flick, which isn’t a bad thing. Parker (Jason Statham) is a master thief/killer who gets double crossed by the guys he was working with, led by Melander (Michael Chiklis, of The Commish fame). Swearing revenge on the turncoats, Parker sets his plans into place, which turn violent very quickly. Parker is a man of a certain moral code, much like Statham’s character from The Transporter series. Along the way, Parker crosses paths with a down on her luck real estate agent (Jennifer Lopez), who plays a part in the helping with the grand scheme of things.
All out action is almost a guarantee with a film like this, and if it’s action you want, you will get it here tenfold. The fast paced, high impact moves of Statham help earn the R rating of the film, as blood spills quite often. The story itself isn’t really that strong, but I didn’t come to see Parker because I wanted to see an Oscar contender. I wanted to be entertained, and at the end of it all, I was. If you want a guys movie, a beat-em up that delivers from beginning to end, then I highly recommend Parker. Just remember, its rated R for a reason.
On a side note, I wanted to say that this film was viewed at the new Cinema West Civic Plaza 12 in Hesperia. The theater was a welcome surprise, as it boasts an amazing structure: from the outside, to concessions, to the theaters themselves, it was a real treat. A great staff, extremely comfortable seating, and more, I was thoroughly impressed by the theater. If you haven’t checked it out yet, I recommend you do so the next time it’s movie night. For more information on the Cinema West, check them out online at http://www.cinemawest.com.