While “Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard” is not better than the first film, I did enjoy seeing these characters back again for a sequel and no doubt setting up what may become a trilogy. Overall, a popcorn action comedy worth checking out, especially if you enjoyed the first film.
PURCHASE THIS BLU-RAY ON AMAZON
TITLE: Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard
FILM RELEASE DATE: 2021
DURATION: 99 Minutes
DVD INFORMATION: Color, 2:39:1 aspect ratio, 16:9 widescreen, English Dolby Atmos, Spanish and French Dolby Audio 5.1, Subtitles: English Descriptive Audio, English SDH, Spanish and French
RATED: R
COMPANY: Lionsgate
RELEASED: August 17, 2021
Directed by Patrick Hughes
Based on Characters by Tom O’Connor
Screenplay by Tom O’Connor, Phillip Murphy Brandon Murphy
Produced by Yarive Lerner, Les Weldon
Co-Producer: Sean Wheelan
Executive Producer: Christa Campbell, Boaz Davidson, Mark Gill, Jeffrey Greenstein, Lati Grobman, Zygi Kamasa, Avi Lerner, Heidi Jo Markel, Matthew Milam, Peter Possne, Trevor Short, Jonathan Yunger
Music by Atli Ovarrson
Cinematographer by Terry Stacey
Edit by Michael J. Duthie, Jack Hutchings
Casting by Elaine Grainger, Igor Sestric, Mariana Stansheva
Production Design by Russell De Rozario
Art Direction by Jack Berk, Bill Crutcher, Ivan Ranghelov, Louise Vogel
Set Decoration by Orlin Grozdanov, Kimberley McBeath, Branka Radonic
Costume Design by Stephanie Collie
Starring:
Ryan Reynolds as Michael Bryce
Samuel L. Jackson as Darius Kincaid
Salma Hayek as Sonia Kincaid
Morgan Freeman as Michael Bryce Sr.
Antonio Banderas as Aristotle Papadopoulos
Frank Grillo as Bobby O’Neill
Caroline Goodall as Crowley
Alice McMillan as Ailso
Gary Oldman as Vladislav Dukhovic
Tom Hopper as Magnusson
Richard E. Grant as Mr. Seifert
In THE HITMAN’S WIFE’S BODYGUARD — bodyguard Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds), hitman Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson) and his wife Sonia (Salma Hayek) are back as the mismatched, high-octane trio — that are once again forced together into another life-threatening mission to save Europe from a vengeful and powerful zealot (Antonio Banderas).
Former AAA bodyguard Michael Bryce (portrayed by Ryan Reynolds) and hitman Darius Kincaid and crazy wife Sonia Kincaid (portrayed by Salma Hayek) are back for a new adventure in “Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard” directed by Patrick Hughes (“The Expendables 3”, “Red Hill”, “The Hitman’s Bodyguard”) and written by Tom O’Connor (“The Hitman’s Bodyguard”, “Fire with Fire”, “The Courier”).
The sequel to the popular 2017 action/comedy “The Hitman’s Bodyguard”, the film begins with former bodyguard Michael Bryce still without his AAA license and having undergone therapy for years because of the loss.
And now since he has graduated from therapy, Bryce goes on vacation for rest and relaxation.
Unfortunately, his vacation is cut short when gunfire rings out at the resort Bryce is staying and Sonia Kincaid tells him that she needs his help in rescuing her husband Darius from mobsters.
The two eventually save Darius but then all three are kidnapped and wake up to find out they are kidnapped by Interpol agent Bobby O’Neill (portrayed by Frank Grillo) who is trying to track down a terrorist named Aristotle Papadopoulos (portrayed by Antonio Banderas), who is intent in destroying the European power grid and infrastructure due to the European Union is planning to impose more sanctions on Greece.
While it seems odds are against them, Michael goes to one man that can help him, his father, AAA bodyguard Michael Bryce Sr. (portrayed by Morgan Freeman).
VIDEO:
“Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard” is presented in 1080p High Definition, (2:35:1 aspect ratio). Picture quality is actually very well-done. A good number of outdoor shots are featured in this film. Close ups are full of detail and for the most part, overall picture quality is great in HD!
AUDIO & SUBTITLES:
As for the audio, audio is presented in English (1080p High Definition).
Dialogue and musical soundtrack are crystal clear through the front channels. Action-driven sequences are well-done as it comes through the surround channels.
Subtitles are in English SDH, French and Spanish.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard” comes with the following special features:
- Ryan, Sam, Salma: One F’d Up Family
- Gone Soft: The New Michael Bryce
- Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard: #stuntlife
- On the Set of Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard
- Gag Reel
- Theatrical Trailers
EXTRAS:
“Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard” comes with a slipcase, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Copy
Back in 2017, “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” received a lot of positive reviews as many felt the chemistry between Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson was fantastic. The action and comedy sequences was well-received and so, writer Tom O’Connor wrote another script that would build upon that relationship, build upon the jokes and also feature plenty of action.
And what best than to also bring back Patrick Hughes, the director from the first film and also to expand the storyline to include the character Sonia Kincaid, the crazy wife of hitman Darius Kincaid (portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson)
The film continues a few years where the last one left off. UK-based Michael Bryce (portrayed by Ryan Reynolds) is still longing for the return of his AAA license after failing to protect his client Takashi Kurosawa. We learn from the first film that the hitman responsible was Darius Kincaid.
And the first film revolved around Michael Bryce having to protect Darius, who was to testify against dictator Vladislav Dikhovich. Who happened to have Sonia kidnapped.
For the sequel, this time Sonia enlists Michael to help her rescue her husband who was kidnapped from mobsters.
Of course, Michael Bryce still is upset at Kincaid for killing his client which led to his fall from grace, but Bryce is still hopeful he can be a bodyguard and in this case, when he finds out from Sonia that Darius asks for his help, he’s happy.
But the three are brought together by Interpol agent Bobby O’Neill who wants to stop terrorist named Aristotle Papadopoulos (portrayed by Antonio Banderas) and if he can succeed in stopping him, it could be his ticket back to leaving the UK and returning back to the US.
But behind Interpol’s back, he decides that to stop a criminal, he must hire criminals and in this case, bodyguard Michael Bryce, hitman Darius Kincaid and conwoman Sonia Kincaid.
The sequel no doubt retains the humor and action. This time around, there is more of wanting to focus on the comedy of Salma Hayek’s Sonia character. But she also has a unique way of thinking, which Michael sees as crazy and dangerous.
For Sonia, she still wants that honeymoon with her husband and needless to say, trouble finds them constantly and somehow Michael is often the person who gets shot, beaten up or injured most of the time.
There’s no doubt that the film made me laugh, as the original film had great chemistry between actor Ryan Reynolds and Darius Kincaid, the way the movie plays out right to the very end, there was no doubt that this film was setting up a story about a trio.
Speaking of chemistry, for action film fans, seeing Salma Hayek and Antonio Banderas together in another film is a major plus because these two are known for their incredible chemistry in films going as far back as 1995 when the two starred together in “Desperado”, 2002’s “Frida”, the 2003 film “Once Upon a Time in Mexico” and have been featured together in animated films providing the voices in the animated film “Puss in Boots”.
With that being said, while I enjoyed the film for its humor and action, the film tries to repeat the success of the first with more jokes and more action but it’s another cliche action film. Some may find it repetitive, but others may find the addition of Salma Hayek’s character Sonia Kincaid playing a major role as a positive. Considering her character tends to say the craziest things.
While “Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard” is not better than the first film, I did enjoy seeing these characters back again for a sequel and no doubt setting up what may become a trilogy. Overall, a popcorn action comedy worth checking out, especially if you enjoyed the first film.
PURCHASE THIS BLU-RAY ON AMAZON