Why Jason Statham’s ‘Wild Card’ is More Drama Than Action You Didn’t Expect!

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Over a span of 25 years, director Simon West has demonstrated an aptitude for directing remakes. In 2006, he endeavored to update the 1979 film “When A Stranger Calls” for modern viewers. The movie garnered moderate success at the box office, prompting him to tackle another renowned ’70s title – “The Mechanic”, starring Charles Bronson. Jason Statham, a versatile actor known for his tough-guy roles, was soon cast as the lead character. When it hit theaters in January 2011, both critics and audiences appreciated the film.

Given his streak of successful reboots, it seemed logical for him to delve further into this filmmaking genre. However, one might wonder if he could manage three consecutive remakes. When it came to his contemporary adaptation of the 1986 neo-noir thriller, “Heat” (based on a novel of the same name published a year earlier), fortune didn’t seem to be on his side. Facing what appeared to be an uncertain future for this film, West made an unexpected statement in an attempt to alter the impending course. His remake, titled “Wild Card,” is more appropriately categorized as a drama rather than an action movie.

‘Wild Card’ Features an Unusual Role for Jason Statham

Taking Burt Reynolds’ role, Statham portrays Nick Wild, a multi-tasking figure between bodyguard and chaperone in Las Vegas and its surroundings. He takes on various jobs, ranging from giving city tours as the world entertainment hub’s gem, assisting men to impress their partners, to engaging in fights against those he deems deserving. As revealed by West in an extensive interview with Live for Films, Statham had been working on this movie for at least five years before it eventually caught a director’s attention. In Wild Card, Statham showcases the combat abilities that have made him famous.

In the movie, Statham isn’t just about brutal retribution against three ruthless gangsters who harassed and violated a young escort. He does this not only once or twice but thrice throughout the film. However, it’s not until the end that they seem to finally grasp the error of their ways. Interestingly, Statham’s character also shows signs of deeper complexities – he struggles with gambling addiction, experiences anxiety attacks, and often ponders about an alternate life. Indeed, there seems to be more to Wild Card than just action.

Each of the Three Fights Progressed Statham’s Character in ‘Wild Card’

Initially, let’s focus on the main character’s dialogue. In comparison to Statham’s characters across films like The Mechanic, Wrath of Man, and the entire Crank series, Nick Wild appears to have more lines. Initially, there were concerns about the volume of dialogue, but the renowned English actor arrived on set with all his lines memorized. Although this single fact may not be enough to alter the genre of the movie for viewers, Statham enthusiasts will undoubtedly perceive the actor in a new light after watching. It could even be argued that he displays more emotions in this performance than anywhere else throughout his career.

If you find Statham deviating from his typical silent hero role intriguing, then you might want to give “Wild Card” a try as it leans more towards drama. One reason to appreciate West’s transition with “Wild Card” is the strong character-driven performance. This film, which runs for about an hour and a half, only has three fight scenes. During an interview with Ryan Lambie of Den of Geek, West connected these fights to Wild’s personal journey. He explained that the first fight serves as Wild getting back into the art of precise fighting, while the second reflects his inner rage. West doesn’t explicitly discuss the final fight in the climax, but that’s alright.

‘Wild Card’ Turns From an Action Movie to a Drama Flick?

Although it’s a bit of a stretch to interpret Wild’s initial fight with Demarco’s henchmen as symbolic (since we never learn about his hand-to-hand combat skills), there is undeniably some truth in the second fight, which takes place within the casino. This altercation occurs at roughly the same time as Wild’s public display of excessive gambling and ensuing panic attack. The rage viewers witness in Wild’s attacks against the gangsters isn’t solely about self-defense; it also stems from his deep-seated disgust with his own actions.

From my perspective as a movie enthusiast, this series of events leading to the showdown significantly intensifies the character’s explosive temperament. Although his combat style is typically swift and brutal, Statham exhibits a hint of recklessness in this instance, demonstrating a versatility in acting that we rarely get to witness.

Have I made my point that the explanation provided might be pushing “Wild Card” towards a more dramatic film? To be honest, the initial fight scene is just typical Statham style, but the mounting tension leading to the second one (and the scene itself) seems to align with the character’s development. It’s possible that director Simon West may have taken some creative liberties with the drama genre. However, this 2015 film might deviate from what Statham fans typically anticipate. If you’d like to form your own opinion, “Wild Card” can be streamed for free on The Roku Channel, Prime Video, and Plex.

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2025-01-27 00:33