Parker

Year: 2013
Genre: Action
Director: Taylor Hackford


Plot: When a thief is double crossed by his crew and left for dead, he plots his revenge with the help of a real estate agent.


The gist: There are good Jason Statham movies and there are bad Jason Statham movies. This one unfortunately falls in the latter category.

The problem lies in the story and the storytelling. It would be nice if Taylor Hackford just made it about Parker hunting down his old gang who betrayed him to settle the score. But then he throws in Jennifer Lopez as a real estate agent desperate for a commission becoming his accomplice. The fact that she's willing to break the law without a second thought just to get some money is much too far fetched.

The storytelling is also rather messy as we aren't sure why or how Parker is able to trace the gang by surveying high end houses in Palm Beach, Florida, and he switches cars so many times it makes zero sense.


The good: Statham at least still kicks ass, particularly in the fight scene at the hotel.

The bad: The villains, led by Michael Chiklis, get too little screen time. Lopez is all right in the acting department but has no chemistry with Statham. Nick Nolte is also underused as Parker's mentor.


Verdict: For a Statham action flick, this one is rather dull. File this under 'wasted opportunity'. (4/10)