Daphne C
It's definitely worth more than 2 stars, it has a great story line and great martial arts. I really like this movie.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
03/04/24
Full Review
Audience Member
The Mercenary is a winner. As one of the first martial arts action film releases of 2020, the film offers promise for the genre in the decade that lies ahead.
The straightforward plot involves the failed attempt of an ex-Mercenary to walk away from his violent past after a near fatal assault by his own men. Dominiquie Vandenberg is mesmerizing as the star of this Jesse V. Johnson directed action film. Vandenberg plays Maxx, the Mercenary with a conscience. Maxx struggles to gain redemption in the wake of his near death experience in the sanctity of the Church, whose Priest, played warmly by the recently deceased Carmen Argenziano, nursed him back to health. That sanctity is quickly disrupted by the discovery of Louis Mandylor, Maxx's former Mercenary Leader, that he is alive. This revelation drives the circumstances of the film's final act.
Vandenberg, Mandylor, and Argenziano are a real "Triple Threat" in this film. Powerful, engaging performances by all three elevate this film from merely a bloody, violent, action packed movie to a highly entertaining piece of film making.
Dominiquie Vandenberg commands the screen. His years of martial arts training, film work, and military service have converged to, potentially, make him the new decade's leading martial arts action sensation. As a 50 year old, bearded, balding martial artist I found myself routing a little harder for Vandenberg in The Mercenary.
Jesse V. Johnson does not disappoint. His films are well scripted, well executed, and always well fight-choreographed. He teams with Luke LaFontaine and Malay Kim for this one in the stunt and fight choreography. As is the custom in Johnson films, the fights are graphic, brutal, fascinating to watch, and realistic. Vandenberg's skills with a knife is woven into the fight choreography in ways that I have never found so enjoyable to watch.
The Mercenary is a watchable, adult, action thrill ride. I highly recommend you watch it and then watch it again, just because it is that good.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
01/13/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Kind of a modern Clint Eastwood badass you want to root for, cold stare and all. Here, a paid to kill mercenary is left for dead, found by a mission priest where he recovers (yes, similar to the Good, the Bad and the Ugly). Our man finds religion and seeks redemption by turning the tables on his old boss. Of course, against all odds he kills a couple dozen men singlehandidly and is told by the surviving priest after doing so, don't kill so much. You'd think that to complete his redemption he would die in the end, but this is not an art film, just one to grab that mostly male audience that's dying to see bombs, death, and guts. No disappointment here
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
02/03/23
Full Review
Audience Member
The story is very familiar, a man seeking redemption, forced back into darkness when his violent past comes back to haunt him. There is tragic loss, bloodshed, revenge and a reluctant sidekick. It is a format that has permeated action film and television for decades. "The Mercenary" mirrors it's predecessors but does so spectacularly.
This isn't a genre I seek out, but having gotten hooked into the concept via 'Strike Back', I have come to appreciate quality storytelling in this genre. Johnson's film lacks some of the bigger budget asthetics, but still manages enough drama and climactic arc to capture it's audience. The acting is decent, not stellar but good enough so that you can get into the movie.
The effects blend CGI with more baser practical effects and quality choreography. It is what you expect to see in a action film. It is also very predictable. There isn't anything here that hasn't been seen before, still "The Mercenary" does it right, even on an obviously lower budget. Overall it is an entertaining action film that is worth checking out- if you are into action films.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
01/12/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Amateur Hour - cardboard characters, wooden acting and a plot you've seen done better a hundred times before. The cast are clearly hard-core types who have no compunction in taking money for killing time and wasting resources.
Avoid at all costs!
Rated 0.5/5 Stars •
Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars
01/20/23
Full Review
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