Safe

Safe is like Rush Hour with no jokes and a more depressing protagonist. Jason Statham stars as an ex super-cop who saves a young girl from dueling mafias, who both want the child for her genius math skills and knowledge of an important code. But it turns out the Russian half of this feud killed Statham’s character’s pregnant wife. So he has some added incentive here. From what looks like a completely generic action film, there are some exciting moments. Statham knows his way around a script like this. So even though this doesn’t come close to his best films, he is an asset to the film. Without him, it probably goes straight to DVD.

Jason Statham is usually good, so that’s no surprise. The problem is that the character isn’t very likeable. He does the right thing in helping the girl and the audience learns that he is an unwavering public servant. But the frosty demeanor is laid on thick. Safe is also heavy on the excessive property damage. What has become a cliché in action is amplified in a low budget project like this. Large scale gang warfare on the streets of New York would be met with a lot more than a group of crooked cops showing up to get their share of the loot. I think civilian hostages tend to force a swift response.

Let’s get beyond the logistical concerns with a conflict like this. At the end of the day, Safe doesn’t have the unique elements to make it popular or a film that will hold up after its time in theaters. File it in the constantly growing catalog of Jason Statham movies that are forgotten until you look him up on IMDB. But know this, in a war between the Russian and Chinese mafias, Jason Statham always wins.

Each film earns either zero, a half or a full arrow in five categories. The categories are Acting, Writing/Directing, Emotion, Innovation and Overall Impression. The arrows are added up to equal the full score.