Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Dave Wilson, Sony Pictures, M 109 Minutes.
First-time director Dave Wilson, a former visual effects supervisor involved in the production of ‘Avengers-Age of Ultron’, has created a comic book hero based on the Valiant Comics world who is different to any superhero in the Marvel universe.
In this origin story ‘Fast and Furious’ action actor, Vin Diesel stars as Ray Garrison a US special forces soldier on a dangerous military mission prior to taking a relaxing vacation with his attractive wife Gina (Talulah Riley of ‘Submerged’); but his tranquil holiday suddenly turns into a tragic set of circumstances when his wife is taken hostage before both are killed by terrorist Martin Axe (Toby Kebbell of ‘Kong-Skull Island’).
Ray then finds himself in a government-sponsored scientific laboratory.
Ray is brought back to life with super powers by the Frankenstein-like scientist Dr Harting (Aussie actor Guy Pearce of ‘Brimstone’) after being transformed into Bloodshot a six-million dollar man with the ability to regenerate any part of his body instantaneously.
Much to Harting’s displeasure Ray is hellbent on avenging his wife’s death having been helped by Katie (Eliza Gonzalez of ‘Baby Driver’) – another humanised weapon in the government program – in regaining his memory as he drives off to track down his wife’s killer.
Along the way, Ray is forced to obey Harting’s directive of eliminating his competitor in the hi-tech field Wilfrid Wiggins (Lamorne Morris of ‘Game Night’) by involving his collaborator double amputee Jimmy Dalton (Sam Heughan of ‘TVs-Outlander’) for his evil purpose.
At this point there is a reversal of loyalties as Ray, ably assisted by Kate, join with Wiggins in a brutal battle with both Harting and Dalton in a last ditch attempt to get away from his designer.
One cannot deny that the movie’s major highlight is Diesel’s performance, which is always enjoyable as he does deliver in many of the entertaining action scenes especially those which include Gonzalez, not to mention Pearce’s pleasing performance.
On the other hand, except for the engaging special effects – which is his specialty – Wilson’s direction is sadly lacking and exacerbated by his development of a complicated and at times confusing storyline.
Vic’s Verdict: 2 ½ Stars
