GLOBAL — Parker, the latest action-packed thriller to star Jason Statham (Transporter), is adapted from a novel written by Donald Westlake, who has written several novels based on the character, many of which have also been made into movies including "Playback" (1999) starring Mel Gibson (Braveheart).
It's as if this script was written, or adapted, for no other actor but Statham. There are many resemblances to his "Transporter" persona; cool, calm, and calculating. Oh, and let's not forget the rules. Just as Frank Martin in "The Transporter" lived by a set of three rules, Parker has two rules that guides the brooding bandit. One, don’t steal from people who can’t afford it. Two, don’t hurt people who don’t deserve it.
But as you can imagine, the underworld mantra of "there's no trust among thieves" rings true and Parker crashes head on with this harsh reality. The saying, "revenge is a dish best served cold" quickly becomes Parker's philosophy once the heist with his criminal colleagues turns bad.
At first I was a bit skeptical about the pairing of 'Jenny from the block' with the stealth Statham, but it was a match made in heaven, or rather Palm Beach, where the drama unfolds.
While on a mission to annihalate his double-crossing partners, Parker meets Leslie Rodgers (Jennifer Lopez), a down on her luck real estate agent in Florida. They team up to take on the foursome who presumably leave Parker dead on the side of the road. The leader of the band of thieves is played by Michael Chiklis. Remember him from "The Shield" (2002), a TV series in which he was a dirty cop? Well, he delivers the same strong-arm tactics in this film.
At first sight, this film is an odd casting of characters, but it works, and quite well I must add. The chemistry between Statham and Lopez is so in sync that you'll find yourself wanting them to fall for each other. But, you'll have to watch the movie to find out how well that goes.
Chicly Yours,
The Chic Spy
Release: Friday, January 25th
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQOPqdoKyOg[/youtube]
(Image courtesy of FimDistrict)
