Shelter
Director: Ric Roman
Waugh
Year:
2026
Rating: 7.0
In Shelter, Jason Statham has created another
character that I hope we see more of in the future. He already has The Transporter,
The Expendables, Deckard Shaw from the F&F series, Crank and The Beekeeper
in which he has had sequels. Job security. Not that this is an original character.
A former government assassin who has been in hiding for years has to come
out to save a young girl and has lost none of his skills. It has been done,
but it fits Statham well. Let's face it. Trying to be original for an assassin
film can't be easy. So you just take the well-worn tropes and do them well.
Mason (Statham) has exiled himself to a
forlorn deserted island in the Hebrides that once was used for its lighthouse.
It's a dreary life with only his dog to keep him company. Ten years of this.
Once a week, a tugboat from the mainland delivers supplies - mainly alcohol.
It is brought ashore by Jessie (Bodhi Rae Breathnach), a young girl of about
12. She tries to be sociable with him, but he literally shuts the door in
her face. Circumstances occur so that she has to stay on the island and as
expected he goes soft. He also gets careless and his image is spotted by
British Intel who send a squad to kill him.
He goes on the run with her knowing that
the people after him will kill her too. Loose ends. Some solid action along
the way. Good chemistry between Mason and the girl. Turns out he was the
master assassin for British Intel being run by a nice bit from Bill Nighy.
A good mix of action, drama and spycraft. In this world, every video surveillance
camera in the UK is hooked to British intel and using facial recognition,
they can track everyone. In seconds. I don't think we are there yet, but
the day is coming.
