Jason Statham’s 2012 ‘Safe’ Is Way Better Than the Rotten Tomatoes Score

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  • Statham Squares Off Against Ruthless Russian Mobsters
  • Jason Statham’s ‘Safe’ Deserves More Props

Jason Statham has been a prominent figure on the big screen for more than two decades, earning him a spot among Hollywood’s most desirable leading men. He’s become famous for his action-packed roles in popular films such as Snatch, Crank, The Mechanic, and the Transporter series (to mention just a few from his expanding list of credits). Statham first captured our attention with his impressive debut in Guy Ritchie’s critically acclaimed black comedy crime film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels in 1998. Since then, he has consistently displayed his remarkable physical abilities and captivating screen presence.

In 2012, Statham starred in the movie “Safe,” portraying a grief-filled former cage fighter and ex-government assassin seeking vengeance against the mobster who murdered his wife. In this thriller, Statham demonstrated his action hero prowess, but the film received mixed reviews due to its predictable storyline and tired tropes. Despite these criticisms, fans of the charismatic actor might enjoy it more than its 59% Rotten Tomatoes score suggests.

Statham Squares Off Against Ruthless Russian Mobsters

In the pulse-pounding 2012 thriller “Safe,” Jason Statham showcased yet again why he’s one of Hollywood’s top action stars. He portrays Luke Wright, a former cage fighter and black ops assassin whose life crumbles when his pregnant wife is viciously murdered by the Russian mafia as retribution for him accidentally winning a rigged fight. A year later, grief-stricken and adrift, Wright encounters the same gangsters while rescuing a young Chinese girl from them. His instincts take over.

In this scenario, the experienced government agent, Wright, uncovers a surprising truth: the young girl Mei is not just an ordinary child, but a mathematical genius who was taken by the Triad gang. They had used her extraordinary memory skills to erase their digital traces and memorize a crucial numerical code for a safe holding $30 million. As he learns about this code, Wright employs his extensive expertise and combat prowess to safeguard Mei from not only the dangerous mafia leader Quan Chang and his henchmen, but also crooked cops working on their payroll. With a burning desire for justice, Wright takes it upon himself to bring vengeance against all those responsible for the senseless violence.

Jason Statham’s ‘Safe’ Deserves More Props

On April 27, 2012, after several postponements, the action-packed movie “Safe” finally hit the screens, just barely outperforming its budget at the box office with a gross of $40.6 million against a $30 million budget. Jason Statham’s impressive portrayal of a vengeful hitman was applauded by critics, as were the film’s spectacular action scenes and Boaz Yakin’s skillful direction. Yet, some viewers found the storyline to be overly predictable and the script clumsy. Moreover, they felt that Statham was rehashing a familiar character without adding much to his acting repertoire.

Despite garnering a rather unimpressive 59% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 6.5 IMDb rating from viewers, following over 120,000 reviews, the action-packed blockbuster found favor with avid fans of its charismatic lead actor. They believed that “Safe” embodied all the essential elements of a Statham movie: a heroic protagonist bent on settling a score, pulse-pounding stunts, sleek car chases, and an abundance of spectacular fight sequences. For Statham’s followers, these films serve as a means to vicariously experience his daring characters and witness the distinctive brand of justice he dishes out – and “Safe” certainly doesn’t disappoint in that regard.

As a die-hard film enthusiast, I must admit that while the plot of “Safe” leans towards familiar territory for Jason Statham, his magnetic screen presence is undeniably captivating. In this movie, just like in many others, he portrays a character who acts first and queries later, swiftly neutralizing the myriad threats trying to lay their hands on a child prodigy. For fans of Statham, this high-octane thriller is a no-brainer, offering an adrenaline-pumping experience that fills the 95 minutes effortlessly. The Seattle Times has praised this rugged action flick in their glowing review, labeling it as an exhilarating ride worth taking.

Unleash a barrage of actions. Allow the consequences to unfold. Watch as a tormented, despairing individual transforms into a force seeking retribution, and oh, the retribution is brutal – and incredibly gratifying.

Stream Safe on Freevee.

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2025-01-13 02:05