“The Mechanic” tries to restore a classic but makes too many upgrades

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2.5 out of 5 stars

At this point, when I go to a Jason Statham movie it is very hard to be disappointed.

The list of things that will be contained in such a film is short and sweet: car chases, gun fights, fist fights/martial arts and the occasional nude scene.

Occasionally, there is a surprise where his films really kick it up a notch, like anytime Statham worked with British director Guy Ritchie or the very well conceived “The Bank Job.”

Unfortunately, “The Mechanic” joined the list of standard Statham fare.

The movie plays out very similarly to the original film starring Charles Bronson. Just amp up the muscles, add as much quick cutting as possible and remove all subtlety.

There are a few major problems with this film and they all have to do with changes from the original. In both films Arthur Bishop (Statham) has to betray a friend and then takes in the friend’s son, Steve McKenna (Ben Foster) to feel better about the situation.

There is a moment in “Mechanic” when a major plot point is revealed completely from left field and could not feel more forced. When films include globe-trotting hitmen, it is always annoying when they don’t have to work hard for a major revolution.

Some things in action films that never make sense can at least be overlooked. Some things, however, are just frivolous. One such moment is when Bishop and McKenna are getting prepared for an assassination.

Apparently, the best way to go about this is to get kitted out in black and climb around on a white building in broad daylight.

The ending is also very frustrating. It, too, is very similar to the original however one major difference stands that has very much to do with the contrasting theories of filmmaking between the `70s and today.

The high point of this film is Foster’s performance, which has an undeniable presence seen in any of his appearances.

Hopefully he finds himself in a movie worthy of his talents sometime soon, but until he does he is a welcome addition to otherwise mediocre action flicks like “Mechanic.”

If you like other Statham films, and are willing to overlook some rather obvious plot holes, this will definitely be the butt-kicking fun you’re hoping for.