Action stars come and go, but Jason Statham is an actor who has had staying power in the genre for over 25 years.

He burst onto the scene as a Guy Ritchie favourite in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, and he’s been a welcome addition to films and franchises like the Fast & Furious films, The Transporter trilogy, The Meg films, Crank, The Expendables series, and he even showed comedic chops in films like Spy.

His last few haven’t been the best-reviewed, but Statham comes back full-force here as former intelligence officer Adam Clay. When his friend falls victim to a phishing scam, loses her life savings, and commits suicide, he vows vengeance.

Clay was a part of major organization called the “Beekeepers”, and uses his skills to protect those that the law has failed. He begins killing his way to the top, trying to find the owner of the company who was responsible for the loss of his friends’ fortune. Chased by her law enforcement daughter, he won’t let anything stop him.

Statham is in fine form here, and proves he can still provide a beatdown effectively. With Emmy Raver-Lampman, the incredible Jeremy Irons, and short appearances from Phylicia Rashad and Minnie Driver, there’s plenty of star power.

But it’s Josh Hutcherson — who stars in his second hit in a row after Five Nights At Freddy’s — providing a campy B-movie turn that provides the bulk of the entertainment.

Director David Ayer is best-known for flops like Suicide Squad and hits like Fury, and he does his best work by just letting his star Statham do his thing. It manages to be an exciting, serviceable actioner as a result, and will no doubt please genre fans.

3/5 Stars