Alright action movie junkies you know what time it is! Jason Statham is back and this time he is not just a beekeeper or a driver or whatever cool profession he takes on. In 'A Working Man' he is well... a working man! But trust us things are gonna get explosive real quick. This flick sees Statham trading in his usual slick suits for a construction vest and a whole lot of trouble.
From Construction Site to Crime Scene: The Plot of 'A Working Man' Unpacked
So what's the deal with 'A Working Man'? Statham plays Levon Cade a seemingly ordinary construction foreman in Chicago. He is just trying to live a quiet life. He’s got a military past yeah but now he is all about rebar and concrete. His boss is a good guy named Joe Garcia played by Michael Peña. Life is simple until Joe's teenage daughter Jenny gets snatched. Yep kidnapped by human traffickers nasty business.
Turns out these kidnappers are connected to the Russian mob. Things are about to get seriously messy. Joe offers Levon cash to get Jenny back but for Levon it is not about the money. He made a promise to Jenny and Jason Statham types do not break promises especially when bad guys are involved. Get ready for some payback.
Statham Does What Statham Does Best: Bruises Knuckles and Breaks Bones
Let's be real you are not watching a Jason Statham movie for deep philosophical debates right? You are here for the action and 'A Working Man' delivers. Statham is in full-on badass mode. He's snapping arms cracking skulls and generally making bad guys regret their life choices. The movie is directed by David Ayer who also did 'The Beekeeper' with Statham so they clearly have a good action movie vibe going on.
Critics are saying Statham is on point as usual . He is that stoic tough guy we all know and kinda love to watch beat up the bad guys. He's got that signature fighting style those quick moves that make it look like he is moving faster than humanly possible. If you are a Statham fan you will get exactly what you came for no surprises here but that is sometimes exactly what you want.
Chicago Gets the David Ayer Treatment: Gritty Realism Meets Action Movie Flair (Maybe a Little Too Much Flair?)
David Ayer known for movies like 'End of Watch' and 'Harsh Times' brings his signature gritty style to 'A Working Man'. The movie is set in Chicago and Ayer definitely tries to give it that urban feel. Expect lots of shots of the Chicago skyline maybe a little too many some critics are saying . Ayer is known for that realistic street-level vibe but some reviews mention that in 'A Working Man' it gets a bit messy visually.
Apparently the lighting is a bit overblown in some scenes and the geography of Chicago in the movie gets a little confusing. One minute Statham is in a residential area the next he is downtown and then suddenly he is in the woods outside the city. Movie magic right? Some might find it a bit distracting others might not even notice. It depends how much of a stickler you are for movie realism.
Blue Collar Hero vs. Russian Mobsters: Themes and Vibes of 'A Working Man'
Beyond the action 'A Working Man' seems to be tapping into that whole blue-collar hero thing. Statham is playing an everyday working guy who just happens to have killer skills. He's not a millionaire superhero or a super spy he is a construction worker who gets his hands dirty. The movie even throws in a line about him being a "working man" not a cop as if to emphasize that point.
There are definitely 'Taken' and 'John Wick' vibes going on. It is a revenge flick with a lone wolf hero taking on a criminal underworld. In this case it is the Russian mob who are portrayed in a kinda stereotypical over-the-top way with secret bylaws fancy clothes and even their own body disposal cleaning service apparently. Critics point out that the villains are maybe a bit too cartoonish but hey it is an action movie right?
More Than Just Fists and Fury: A Little Heart (and Maybe a Sequel?)
Surprisingly 'A Working Man' tries to add a bit of emotional depth. Statham's character is a widower with PTSD trying to get custody of his daughter. Saving Jenny kinda ties into his whole protective dad thing. It is not exactly Oscar-worthy drama but it is there if you are looking for it. And for the Statham fans there is plenty of deadpan one-liners to chuckle at in between all the bone-crunching action.
The movie's ending also leaves things open for a sequel. Apparently 'A Working Man' is based on a book series with like twelve books. Director David Ayer said he is open to doing more 'Levon Cade' movies if this one does well. So if you dig Statham as a blue-collar action hero this might just be the start of a new franchise.
Why You Might Want to Check Out 'A Working Man':
- Jason Statham being Jason Statham: If you love Statham kicking butt and delivering deadpan lines this movie is for you.
- Non-stop action: From fist fights to shootouts this movie is packed with violence.
- Blue-collar hero theme: Root for the working man as Statham takes down the fancy-pants mobsters.
- David Ayer directing: Fans of Ayer's gritty action style might find something to enjoy.
- Potential franchise starter: If you like this one there could be more 'Working Man' movies to come.
Final Verdict: Is 'A Working Man' Worth a Watch?
So is 'A Working Man' gonna blow your mind with groundbreaking cinema? Probably not. But if you are in the mood for some solid Jason Statham action with a blue-collar twist then yeah it is probably worth checking out. Just go in expecting some over-the-top violence some cheesy bad guys and Statham doing what he does best: kicking serious butt. Sometimes that's all you need for a fun night at the movies right?