by Ken San Nicolas

Director: Simon West

Time: 1 hour and 40 minutes

Genre: Action

Starring: Jason Statham, Donald Sutherland, Ben Foster

Jason Statham stars in yet another action film, this time about a hired assassin who takes a troubled young man under his wing. "The Mechanic" is slightly more serious that the "Crank" or "Transporter" series, yet I use the word 'serious' loosely here. Arthur Bishop (Jason Statham) is a meticulous, hired gun with a very strict and disciplined outlook towards his profession and his life. After being tricked into killing his close friend Harry (Donald Sutherland), Bishop takes Harry's impatient and violent son, Steve (Ben Foster), under his wing.

This movie is what you would expect from a film with Statham as a headliner -- raw violence covered in the illusion of polished style. Fancy cars, clean suits and posh clubs help resonate this feeling throughout the film -- and that is a good thing! Cool fight scenes, interesting action sequences, a bittersweet story of friendship and betrayal -- this film has it all!

There is nothing groundbreaking here for Statham. It is the "Transporter" series with less girlfriends and more guyfriends. Nevertheless, it is really, really good. If you need a good action fix, go see "The Mechanic" for your tune-up.

3.5 out of 5 stars.