Jason Statham's latest action flick, 'Shelter', is a thrilling ride that sees him take charge of an orphaned girl and go all John Wick on MI6. With his now-familiar brand of entertainment, Statham delivers another relentless action movie that's sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
In this film, Statham plays Michael Mason, an ex-Special Forces operative who has been living a quiet life in hiding on a remote Outer Hebrides lighthouse. When a young girl named Jessie (Bodhi Rae Breathnach) washes up at his doorstep after a shipwreck, Mason's life takes an unexpected turn. Jessie's uncle, a former colleague of Mason's, has drowned in a storm, and Mason finds himself taking on the role of a hero, rescuing Jessie from near-death and becoming her guardian.
As Jessie settles in, she proves to be a savvy chess opponent and an instant friend to Mason's pet dog, Jack. Through their interactions, Jessie helps Mason reclaim some of his humanity, but their newfound peace is short-lived. MI6 is on Mason's trail, and an agent named Workman (French stuntman Bryan Vigier) has been sent to kill him. With no other option, Mason and Jessie must flee.
It turns out that Mason's MI6 friend, Arthur Booth (Daniel Mays), had helped fake his death and given him a new identity years ago. However, this identity turned out to be that of a terrorist on their most-wanted list. MI6 has discovered that Mason is indeed alive and is now being sought by his former boss, Roberta Frost (Naomi Ackie), and a mysterious man named Steven Manafort (Bill Nighy), who has a debt to extract from Mason.
As the action unfolds, we get a knock-down, one-on-one fight between Mason and Workman, with Mason emerging victorious as the story heads to London. Statham's characters in these popular action movies rarely stray far from his now-familiar playbook: men of few words with awesome talents in chases, gun battles, and martial arts. Even with a kid and a dog, Mason remains true to his character, displaying his signature blend of toughness and charm.
The supporting cast is strong, with Harriet Walter delivering a memorable performance as the Prime Minister hatching a devious political plan. Nighy and Ackie provide a compelling contrast, watching the action unfold and following Mason and Jessie's steps as if they were tuned into a live TV show. However, the film's portrayal of Statham as an almost-superhuman operative may defy credibility, but it seems to be what audiences want from their action heroes these days.
'Shelter' is a well-produced film, with Martin Ahlgren's cinematography and Tim Blake's atmospheric production design adding to the overall appeal. Ric Roman Waugh's direction is ably handled, and the film's cast includes Statham, Breathnach, Ackie, Nighy, Mays, Vigier, and Harriet Walter. With an R rating and a running time of 1 hour and 47 minutes, 'Shelter' is a must-watch for fans of the action genre.
