Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard ★★★

Patrick Hughes

Starring Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek, Antonio Banderas, Morgan Freeman

Though it was scathed by critics before its official release, I’m here to set the record straight. Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard is the perfect action comedy sequel to its predecessor.

Mainly because I barely remember 2017’s The Hitman’s Bodyguard. From my recollection, the film was abundantly boring bar the buddy cop chemistry of its charismatic leading men.

Ryan Reynolds stars as Michael Bryce, the Bodyguard tortured by his previous encounter with Samuel L Jackson’s Darius Kincade - The Hitman. His vow against body-guarding is put to the test when Kincade’s wife Sonia (Salma Hayek) recruits him to rescue her captured husband and save Europe from terrorists.

The film is heavily carried by the wit and comedic timing of the dynamic duo that kept the first film afloat, but the real star of this is Hayek. Purely aware of the role she’s playing, she bounces off of every character she comes into contact with and revels in the absurd insanity of the plot.

Atop the list of action movie cliches we have a Terrific Bond-style villain in the form of Aristotle Papadopoulos - a Greek terrorist hell bent on returning his country to its former glory. The role is superbly filled by the most Spanish man alive: Antonio Banderas.

It may sometimes feel like there’s one shootout too many, but each set piece is designed with enough humour and brutality to hit the couples-movie-night sweet spot just right (let’s just not talk about the CGI).

What I enjoyed most were the subtle nuances that many viewers may gloss over, but those paying attention will find more to giggle about and constantly ask ‘did that just happen?’ But in a good way.

So I leave you with a warning that should have been shared to the critics before…don’t expect Citizen Kane.

The title should have already told you what the movie is that you’re walking in to. Expect Deadpool meets Fast & Furious with Samuel L Jackson there to deliver those famous F bombs and you won’t be disappointed.

Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard available in cinemas now