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- What Is The Beekeeper About?
- The Mechanic Is Even Better than The Beekeeper
- How Statham vs. Sutherland Shapes The Mechanic
As a fan who has seen both “The Beekeeper” and “The Mechanic,” I can confidently say that the latter stands out as a more engaging and impactful film. The relationship between Jason Statham’s character, Arthur, and Donald Sutherland’s character, Harry McKenna, adds depth to the movie and makes for a more emotionally resonant experience.
Starting in July 2024 on Amazon Prime Video, The Beekeeper offers an action-packed thrill ride with Jason Statham portraying the protagonist’s unique brand of vengeance. The narrative follows Adam Clay (Statham), a beekeeper, who embarks on a violent quest for retribution to help Eloise Parker (Phylicia Rashad), his swindled landlady. As an FBI hire to find her killer, Clay’s involvement with the Beekeepers – a clandestine group known for their covert intelligence operations – is uncovered.
The Beekeeper, which has received praise for its thrilling action sequences and impressive production quality (with a 70% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes), may remind some viewers of Statham’s previous action films due to its familiar plotline. If you enjoyed watching Statham in intense battles with Jeremy Irons in The Beekeeper, then consider giving The Mechanic a try – released in 2011 and co-starring the late Donald Sutherland.
What Is The Beekeeper About?
In this gripping action thriller “The Beekeeper,” helmed by director David Ayer from a script penned by Kurt Wimmer, Jason Statham plays the role of Adam Clay, a seemingly ordinary beekeeper concealing a hidden past. The narrative gains momentum when Clay’s longtime companion and building proprietor, Eloise Parker (played by an unspecified actor), is swindled out of $2 million in an online scam. Deeply regretful, Parker ends her life, leaving Clay on a quest for vengeance against the perpetrators to deliver immediate retribution.
FBI Agent Verona Parker, played by Emily Raver-Lampman and daughter of Parker, aids Clay in tracking down criminals who employ advanced technology to hide their whereabouts. Clay gathers agents from the Beekeepers, an elite intelligence unit, to determine the criminals’ location and mete out harsh retribution. As they near their target, it is unveiled that Wallace Westwyld, portrayed by Jeremy Irons and head of security at Danforth Enterprises, orchestrates the nefarious activities.
With Wallace, Derek Danforth, played by Josh Hutcherson, and his mother, President Jessica Danforth portrayed by Jemma Redgrave, it is uncovered that they have been implicated in the phishing scam that targeted Eloise. The narrative, which shares similarities with “The Beekeeper” in terms of plot and non-stop action, features a surprising twist at its end that echoes the finale of “The Mechanic.” However, the acting, particularly Donald Sutherland’s performance, raises the emotional stakes and sets this production apart.
The Mechanic Is Even Better than The Beekeeper
In a modern adaptation of the 1972 film “The Mechanic” starring Charles Bronson, director Simon West tells the tale of vigilante action through the eyes of expert hitman, Arthur Bishop, portrayed by Jason Statham. After successfully eliminating a Colombian drug lord in his pool, Arthur returns to New Orleans and reunites with his mentor and friend, Harry McKenna, played by Donald Sutherland. Tragically, Arthur receives an order from their boss, Dean Sanderson (Tony Goldwyn), to eliminate Harry. Despite the emotional turmoil, Arthur carries out the hit, disguising it as a botched car theft.
Harry’s assassination springboards the plot, introducing Harry’s vengeful son Steve (Ben Foster). Steve begins training under Arthur and they start tracking various targets. When Steve kills a target named Burke (Jeff Chase), Steve becomes angry with Arthur for training Harry’s son and orders a gang of armed henchmen to attack. The plot shifts focus when it is revealed that Dean framed Harry for a blown assignment and tricked Arthur into murdering his mentor Harry. Meanwhile, another plot twist comes when Steve betrays Arthur after learning Arthur killed Harry, unaware that it was done under pretenses orchestrated by Dean.
In “The Mechanic” and “The Beekeeper,” the roles of Arthur/Agent Parker and Steve are reversed for Jason Statham’s character. Instead of seeking revenge, Parker chooses to let go in “The Beekeeper.” This dynamic can be thought of as a reversal of the typical Jason Statham action film plot. The complex relationship between Statham and Jeremy Irons in “The Beekeeper” mirrors their intriguing interactions in “The Mechanic,” with Donald Sutherland. Additionally, the young adversaries, Hutcherson’s Derek Danforth and Foster’s Steve McKenna, find themselves in similar predicaments when they cross paths with Statham’s character in both films.
How Statham vs. Sutherland Shapes The Mechanic
The passing of Harry McKenna (portrayed by Sutherland) serves as the catalyst and emotional heart of “The Mechanic.” In this critically-acclaimed action thriller, despite his limited screen presence, Sutherland conveys a palpable sense of pathos to the character. This emotion significantly influences Arthur’s turmoil throughout the film. As Harry’s devoted father figure and longtime professional guide, he leaves an indelible mark on Arthur in their heartfelt goodbye in the parking garage, just before his untimely death. The poignant scene adds depth to “The Mechanic,” making it more emotionally resonant than many typical Statham action films, such as “The Beekeeper.”
Observing Arthur’s conviction that he’s acting justly is already a heart-wrenching experience. However, the revelation that Harry had unwittingly taken part in the murder of his dearest friend is an even more shattering truth to grasp. Harry’s readiness to aid Arthur in making the death appear accidental adds another layer of complexity to this distressing situation. Not only does Sutherland bring depth to the film with his performance, but The Mechanic outshines The Beekeeper through its edge-of-your-seat action sequences and thrilling stunts.
In the film “The Mechanic,” an intriguing moment occurs when Arthur and Steve, played by Jason Statham, set out to kill a man named Andrew Vaughn, portrayed by John McConnell. The thrilling scene unfolds as they infiltrate Vaughn’s towering residence and administer an adrenaline shot to incapacitate him. However, when the effects of the ketamine in Vaughn’s system counteract the adrenaline, Arthur and Steve are forced to improvise a haphazard suffocation, increasing the intensity and unease. In contrast, “The Beekeeper” offers more standard gunfights than innovative action sequences. While the violence in “The Beekeeper” is well-executed, “The Mechanic” stands out as a more original and fierce Jason Statham action movie.
The Mechanic is available to stream now on Fubo & Paramount+.
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2024-07-15 00:48