Bloodshot (2020)

Rating: ⭐⭐½

Bloodshot is yet another one of those mindless action movies that Hollywood churns out all the time often featuring a big name actor in the lead and a paper thin plot. This movie actually reminded me a lot of the recent Netflix actioner called Extraction. In both cases, we have the lead actor (Vin Diesel here instead of Chris Hemsworth) playing big strong men who are seemingly indestructible, and with some personal tragedy motivating their actions. In fact I think the title Bloodshot is quite unsuitable here, and Extraction would have been just as suitable a title. But I guess it has already been taken ..

While I had more or less condemned Extraction because of its unrealistic and pompous portrayal of real countries like India and Bangladesh, and its feeble attempt at projecting some sentimentalism amidst the incredible body count, Bloodshot is far less ambitious in its approach in this same genre. As often is the case, less is more, and by not taking itself too seriously, and maintaining a more comic book type of approach, Bloodshot is more bearable to watch as it does not pretend to be anything else but a mindless vehicle of action and destruction. Perhaps this is not too surprising since its source material is a comic book. What we do get is some nice creative CGI-ed action sequences which often looks impressive even though they make little sense. I especially liked the complex and fast paced action sequence that involved a free falling elevator in a high rise building. Vin Diesel is also ideal to play this sort of role as he has the convincing built of someone who is indestructible, and the wooden expression to suit the part of what in theory is a resurrected dead solder. Guy Pearce who started his movie career so promisingly in the unforgettable Memento (2000) has once again settled for an undemanding supporting role as the villain. Nevertheless he adds some level of professional standard to his character as under another lesser actor, that role would probably be even more forgettable. The lovely Mexican actress Eiza Gonzalez plays the familiar female character, pretty to look at but deadly in any fight, and of course someone with a soft spot for our hero.

Much of the plot takes place in an imaginary city (I could have sworn I saw Kuala Lumpur's Petronas twin towers looming in the back background of the city's massively clogged skyline), and at an unknown time. No need for details just dive right in and get ready to take on the film's silliness and enjoy the ride.