'Wild Card': Movie review
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REVIEW: In terms of story, Wild Card seems to be extracted right out of blank pages. There is no story per se but a series of instances lazily strewn together. But what is striking here is that the deftness of Simon West's unusual thrills doesn't allow the vital flaws get the better of the movie. Banking solely on the slick action to work as the film's saving grace, it can be safely said that this is a problematic movie which is watchable yet forgettable.
Gamblers beware. If you think the odds are high that a Vegas-set Jason Statham movie – and one directed by Simon West (The Expendables 2) – will include lots of skull busting and slot machine smashing, then you may want to lower your bets.
Not that Wild Card doesn’t have a few vintage Stathamanical beat downs, with such items as a credit card, a tablespoon and a pair of garden shears used in ways you could only imagine. But the action otherwise takes a back seat to boilerplate dramatics and offbeat existential brooding in this underwhelming though slickly helmed crime flick, which was adapted – and not for the first time – by the great William Goldman (Marathon Man) from his own novel. Released mid-January in France before going out Stateside at the end of the month, the film should cash in on Statham’s loyal fan base, but will be a letdown to anyone looking for a real thrill ride.
So a guy walks into a bar. He’s got a skuzzy mustache, a rug, and he’s about to meet his girl and beg her to come with him. Somewhere. Anywhere. She’s hesitant. Suddenly, a steely drunk comes up to the guy and starts kicking up some shit. The mustache man and his vixen bolt, and the drunk comes come out to keep at it. The mustache, takes offense, and knocks the drunk out. The girl fawns. Our hero.
