The Mechanic **½

Simon West directed this Action film. Watch Preview. Cast: Jason Statham, Ben Foster, Donald Sutherland, Christa Campbell. Rated R for strong brutal violence throughout, language, some sexual content and nudity. Running time is one hour and thirty-two minutes.

When the mentor and close friend (Sutherland) of an elite assassin (Statham) is murdered, his next assignment is making sure those responsible pay for it. The friend's son (Foster) insists on helping out.

Statham is back in form as the taciturn, professional killer. The film opens well and ends well but wanders a lot during the middle parts. Still, you go to a film like this looking for action, not necessarily plot, and that's what you get here. Foster adds some interest in a role as the unlikeable son but he's such a wild card you know it's not going to work out. Action fans will enjoy this, but if you require a strong plot I'd skip this one.