The Mechanic
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Movie Reviews of The Mechanic
Movie Review: Some things age better than others...
Summary: 4 Stars
"The Mechanic" excels when it's at its most thoughtful and methodical. The long wordless sequences of a cerebral Bronson tediously plotting and staging smooth complex hits are fascinating and rewarding for the patient viewer. Set to Fielding's quiet spooky piano score and natural sounds, Winter uses mature camera work, beautiful moody lighting, and some creative flash editing to draw you into the unspoken existential crisis of this stoic aging assassin as he spends his lonely free time between jobs enjoying the finest wines, staring at morbid paintings, and in one of the film's more painful depressing scenes....paying prostitutes to read detached love letters to him.
Unfortunately the tense movie seems to draw towards its inevitable climax far too soon while the more elaborate action attempts that dominate the final act are blandly shot, cheap looking, and ultimately dated despite beautiful Italian locations. Set mostly in sophisicated but dreary 70s mansions, the rugged street wise Bronson looks out of place at points, but maybe that's the point, he's ultimately a caveman confused and lost in the solitary gentleman charade of his own creation. This might be his finest acting, his weary pained expressions conveying a terrible dread and internal conflict he simply can't bring himself to face. He's compellingly ambiguous, never letting us know what's really on his mind. As Bronson's sociopathic understudy and only other major character, blonde sweater wearing Jan Michael Vincent is painfully wooden and unconvincing, but given his character, it oddly works.
-Dan of Dangerdiablogik.com
Movie Review: No man is an island
Summary: 4 Stars
Arthur Bishop is a connoisseur of the finer things in life - wine, art, literature, music - and lives a secluded existence in his own organized world, observing the rest of humanity as an "outsider." His detached persona makes him uniquely suited to the demands of his profession, that of "the mechanic" or "hit man." Arthur is no moralist, but the ultimate pragmatist, and his victims mere losers in the giant scheme of life and death. He wryly observes that most of history's hero's were killers. His job simply affords him the opportunity to create his own "book of rules" in a game that he was born into, but did not invent. He has molded his entire existence into one of absolute control, but the years have caught up with him in the form of loneliness and anxiety. A hit on a long time family friend becomes the catalyst for Arthur to take on an associate, more out of loneliness than necessity, and with this breach into this inner sanctuary, the entire premise of his "outside" existence is compromised.Movie Review: The Mechanic Portrays Bronson's Best!
Summary: 4 Stars
In The Mechanic Charles Bronson plays Arthur Bishop a "mechanic" or hired killer known for a meticulous precision that would make Bobby Fischer jealous. Under the direction of Michael Winner (who also directed Bronson in Death Wish) the film bristles with a visceral action that is palpable to the viewer. Jan-Michael Vincent plays Steve McKenna an apprentice in waiting as he is shown the tricks of the trade by Bishop. Michael Vincent comes off as a more physical 70's version of Brad Pitt. This appearance predates most his problems with drugs and alcohol which show him to be a fine presence on screen. Bronson is the main reason to check out The Mechanic he's really hitting his stride with a quiet confidence that is befitting for a man whose sole occupation is to find his victims primary weakness while exploiting it with extreme prejudice. The Mechanic is a quintessential 70's actioner and should be pleasing to enthusiasts of the genre.Movie Review: More than just an action classic
Summary: 4 Stars
The Mechanic has some pretty good action sequences but it is the period decor and clothing that is the real star of this movie some 40 years later.
Check out Charles Bronson's man-pad with its cheesy chocolate brown interior and Moroccan-style lamps. And what's going on with a fearsome hit man wearing red pyjamas?
Then there's the surreal white mansion with its blue trimming and billiard-table green carpet - an absolute riot.
Best of all is Hollywood's idea of a 'swinging party' that takes place at Jan Michael Vincent's pad - full of 'hippies' straight out of central casting.
Gotta love the baddy's mansion's antiquated security system which looks like it has been stolen from an old episode of Lost In Space. Then there are all those touch dial phones.
Classic Bronson, classic action, classic 70s!
Movie Review: The Machanic
Summary: 4 Stars
An excellant film shows Charles Bronson at his best the steely eyed hero out as usual to wow the watching public and as usual chooses a script to suit I think his rugged personality.
Truly an actor pulling you through every twist and turn. I can thoroughly recommend this DVD as it is exciting all the way and you never know what the character is thinking before the next something else happens. A film though to watch I think on one of those rainy days with your popcorn, may be a bit slow in places but you need to get right into it to appreciate it. If you like the hitman type of film then this is it but it is not difficult sometimes to feel sorry for the victim.