Jason Stathamhas a very particular set of skills that he will use to entertain you if you want. That is to say, he plays the same character, playing different characters in his movies. Whatever their current work and their role in people’s lives, Statham’s characters are always assassins or rogue agents who are trying out a different lifestyle before they’re forced out of retirement when someone they care about is in danger. To that end, some ofJason Statham’s best action movie charactersare from films that have a profession in the title itself.
In fact, Jason Statham’s latestmovie is calledA Working Man, the most generic form of a profession-based title possible. The fact that it has this title, despite being based on theLevon’s Tradenovel, would suggest that he may be in on the joke about his movie titles. He is a more versatile actor than most of his popular roles would suggest, andJason Statham’s movies are often better than expectedbecause you know he’s playing the same character, but his charming screen presence makes it worth your while to watch him do so repeatedly.
Directed by David Ayer
A Working Man
A Working Man follows Levon Cade, a former black ops soldier, as he navigates a quiet life working in construction. Upon the abduction of his boss’s daughter by human traffickers, Cade embarks on a mission to rescue her, uncovering a vast network of corruption in the process.
Written by Sylvester Stallone, starring Jason Statham, and directed by David Ayer –A Working Manhas everything it needs to be a box-office smash, and it has reached milestones as well. However, it is a disappointing addition to the ever-growing list of forgettable action movies in Statham’s filmography. Unlike Ayer and Statham’s previous movie,A Working Manlacks seriousness altogether, and this hurts even the action scenes.
The fight sequences are the selling points of Statham’s films, but the complete lack of sincerity in filmmaking not only reduces the stakes, but also makes the action seem dumb and over-the-top. Moreover, character development is absent, andthe threadbare backstory doesn’t help make the character compellingin the first place. Statham’s impressive physique and his ability to smash through anything might have an appeal, but with no real writing and poor direction to accompany it,A Working Manfails to live up to its potential.
Directed by Dennis Gansel
Mechanic: Resurrection
Arthur Bishop thought he had put his murderous past behind him when his most formidable foe kidnaps the love of his life. Now he is forced to travel the globe to complete three impossible assassinations, and do what he does best, make them look like accidents.
Not every Jason Statham movie should become a franchise, andMechanic: Resurrectionis the perfect example that demonstrates why. It is a funny running gag about the actor’s filmography that his characters all seem to be adept at espionage, misdirection, assassination, and hand-to-hand combat, butrarely at the actual profession they seemingly havein the first parts of his movies. However, the idea doesn’t have enough fuel to work multiple times.
The one good thing aboutMechanic: Resurrectionis the innovative killing techniques Statham’s protagonist uses, like grilling a man’s face.
2014’sJohn Wickis a movie from thelast decade that was amazing despite low expectationsbecause the idea of an ex-assassin coming out of retirement to avenge his dog’s death seemed outlandish. It worked, however, because the action scenes were grounded, intense, and shot with sincerity. Statham inMechanic: Resurrectionshows none of the restraint Keanu Reeves shows inJohn Wick, thus turning the movie into a tired exercise in trying to justify why we should care about his character and his dilemma even if all he does is over-the-top action.
Directed by Olivier Megaton
Transporter 3
Transporter 3, directed by Olivier Megaton, follows professional driver Frank Martin as he transports Valentina, the kidnapped daughter of a Ukrainian official, from Marseilles to Odessa. Along the way, Frank faces numerous obstacles as he battles those intent on intercepting Valentina’s delivery while managing his personal emotions.
Jason Statham’sThe Transporterhas significant franchise potential, and it’s no surprise that it turned into an entire trilogy. However, the lack of a fresh perspective makes the film somewhat tedious, even though it goes back to the grounded approach of the first film. The action sequences, albeit worth cheering for, aren’t well spaced out, andTransporter 3sometimes feels boring due to the gap between engaging scenes.
The most frustrating part of watchingTransporter 3isthe constant cuts in the editingthat make it hard to get into the film. Rapid editing works well in chaotic fight scenes, but if no shot in an entire feature film is held for longer than 5 seconds, it gets annoying. However, the romantic subplot in the film is relatively compelling, and if one is looking for mindless entertainment,Transporter 3isn’t the worst choice.
Directed by Louis Letterier
Transporter 2
Transporter 2 follows professional driver Frank Martin, now residing in Miami, as he serves as a temporary chauffeur for a government narcotics control policymaker’s family. When the family’s young son becomes a kidnapping target, Frank is thrust into a mission to protect the child and uncover the kidnappers' scheme.
Louis Letterier helmed the sequel to his directorial debut feature that put him on the map as a director to look out for. Unfortunately, he doesn’t retain one of the most compelling aspects of the firstTransportermovie – the relatively toned-down approach to action choreography – delivering an entertaining watch thatfeels very removed from its predecessor. While it’s a showcase of Statham’s talents as an action star, the lack of restraint creates such unbelievable moments that it’s hard to feel compelled by the film.
There is a relentless barrage of extravagant action sequences sensationalized to highlight Statham’s screen presence.
Yet, to some, thebestTransportermovie isTransporter 2. Because the director doesn’t hold back, there is a relentless barrage of extravagant action sequences sensationalized to highlight Statham’s screen presence. However, it’s both distracting and overwhelming, and leaves one wishing for a little bit more realism in the writing.Transporter 2has more potential than it lives up to, because it squanders possible emotional hooks to create a bonanza of explosions, punches, and stunts.
Directed by Simon West
The Mechanic
The Mechanic follows Arthur Bishop, an elite assassin known for his precise methods and emotional detachment. After his mentor Harry McKenna is killed, Bishop forms a deadly partnership with Harry’s son, who seeks vengeance and mastery of the assassin’s trade.
No one knows why he picked the alias of being a mechanic. It’s not properly explained, it’s still in the title, but it’s entirely beside the point. Because when a cold-blooded Jason Statham uses his special skills to eliminate targets in a an endless adventure of mercenary action, that’s a winning formula for a movie. AllThe Mechanicneeds is a little more attention to character-writing, because beyond all the thrills, there’s not much of a real person that Statham plays in the film. However,The Mechanicis aJason Statham movie that found Netflix success.
It is particularly disappointing that the film fails to emotionally hook viewers because the premise is based on vengeance. While Statham’s heroics are the selling point of the film, itwould have benefited from having Statham play the side character. Since he’s practically a mentor to a man who wants to avenge his father’s death, not only would the other character be a more compelling protagonist, Statham would be cool as the secondary mentor character who still showcases his skills in every scene.
The Beekeeper
The Beekeeper follows a man’s quest for vengeance that escalates to a national level when he is revealed as a former operative of a covert organization known as Beekeepers. The story intertwines personal motives with broader implications, highlighting the intricate web of secrecy and power within the organization.
One of the biggest surprise hits of 2024 was David Ayer’sThe Beekeeper. It has the same old Jason Statham premise – a man is living quietly as a beekeeper and making honey for the woman who rents him a place to live, but is then forced to reveal his skillset as a killer when the woman is scammed. The pace of the filmramps up unexpectedly and never slows downuntil the satisfying conclusion.
The Beekeeperis a great example of the formula being executed well. The bond between Statham’s character and the woman is established properly, his shady past is explained, his action scenes, while extensive, aren’t extravagant, and he is still a one-man army. While the action may be restrained, Statham’s character is still larger-than-life, and if one looks beyond the rush of watching an emotionally-charged Jason Statham action thriller, it’s easy to see that there’s still not much substance inThe Beekeeper.
Directed by Corey Yuen Kwai and Louis Leterrier
The Transporter
The Transporter is an action film directed by Louis Leterrier and Corey Yuen. The movie stars Jason Statham as Frank Martin, a highly skilled driver who specializes in transporting packages without questions. His carefully maintained code of conduct is jeopardized when he breaks one of his rules, leading to a dangerous series of events. Featuring high-octane sequences and elaborate car chases, the film explores themes of loyalty and professional ethics.
Jason Statham stars in and asThe Transporter, one of the best showcases of his appeal as an action star. An endless riot of twists, heavy blows, and stunts,The Transporterfollows Statham’s protagonist as he slowly uncovers a dangerous plot that puts his courier in danger. The balance betweenhard-hitting fight scenes and plot development through detective workis impressive as the film slows down whenever necessary, only to immediately up the ante again.
What stands out inThe Transporter, in comparison to Statham’s other action movies of the same kind, is the use of tension as a cinematic narrative device. The elaborate plot takes time to unfold, and even though it’s punctuated by Statham being Statham, just beating up other people while somehow taking severe beatings himself, it’s a compelling watch from start to finish. Unfortunately, the story itself is quite predictable and can even get incoherent at times, but the high-octane thrill somewhat makes up for those flaws.
Directed by Paul Feig
Spy
Written and directed by Paul Feig, 2015’s Spy features Jason Statham, Jude Law, and Melissa McCarthy in an Action, Comedy, and Spy setting. McCarthy plays a CIA employee relegated to a desk that helps her field agent partner remotely until she’s forced into action to help keep everyone safe.
Jason Statham plays a different kind of action heroin Paul Feig’sSpy, an action-comedy that smartly parodies some of the popular tropes in the genre. Feig’s unique writing involves creating characters that have specific quirks which make them suitable for the plot, but also leave space fo vulnerabilities that they have to overcome. Melissa McCarthy plays the protagonist and delivers one of the most hilarious action-comedy performances in recent history.
Spyhappens to be the Statham movie with the highest approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a whopping 95% critics' score.
However, the showstealer is Jason Statham in his relatively smaller role as a spy, as the title suggests. He apparently cannot be killed by 179 different kinds of poison because he once ingested them all to test his resilience. While it’s hard to tell at times if he’s being serious or comedic, that works perfectly for the film’s tone. However,he can’t back up all his talk and constantly strugglesto pull of the unbelievable antics he claims are easy for him. This parody of his most iconic roles leaves you rolling on the floor with laughter.
Directed by Roger Donaldson
The Bank Job
The Bank Job is a heist film where small-time car dealer Terry, played by Jason Statham, is drawn into a daring plan by Martine, a model from his past, to rob a bank. Unbeknownst to the thieves, the heist uncovers secrets involving London’s underworld and British authorities.
Jason Statham had already developed a habit of saying his movie’s name in the movie with theTransportertrilogy when he appeared inThe Bank Job. The latter takes this gag to an unprecedented level, with a line that incorporates the title so forcefully, it feels like intentional parody instead of on-the-nose tomfoolery. In fact,The Bank Jobmight just be Statham’s best movie with the job in its title, because it’s both self-aware and holds back on the action. It is certainly one of themost rewatchable Jason Statham moviesever made.
It is still a Jason Statham movie, and the third act is chock-full of shenanigans.
Almost like a drama more than a thriller,The Bank Jobis a low-stakes heist movie that relies on the characters' interpersonal drama. The grounded narrative is partly due to the fact that some ofthe events in the film are based on the true storyof the Baker Street robbery. However, it is still a Jason Statham movie, and the third act is chock-full of shenanigans that somehow make sense instead of feeling like a disjoint transition in tone.
Directed by Gary Gray
The Italian Job
A skilled team of thieves seeks vengeance by planning a heist to reclaim a stolen gold fortune from a former ally. Using a trio of Mini Coopers, they navigate through the streets of Los Angeles, dodging the police and traffic to pull off the ultimate payback against the man who betrayed their former boss.
Despite sharing its title, again named after the job Jason Statham has in the movie, with the 1969 film of the same name, Gary Gray’sThe Italian Jobis an homage to the original film, and has a new set of characters and a new plot. It follows a group of thieves, played by an ensemble cast, who plan to rob a double-crossing former associate of theirs. A fantastic heist film, it is one of Jason Statham’s best action movies.
Starring Mark Wahlberg, Edward Norton, Charlize Theron, Jason Statham, Seth Green, and Donald Sutherland,The Italian Jobdoes an impressive job of distributing screen time and importance among all the characters. The action, while spectacular,feels relatively grounded in realityand is well-spaced out to keep viewers anticipating the next scene. The only downsides are the forced romantic subplot that distracts from the otherwise compelling shenanigans and Edward Norton’s soul patch.
