Rescued as a child by the legendary assassin Moody, Anna is the world's most skilled contract killer. However, when Moody is brutally killed, she vows revenge for the man who taught her everything she knows. As Anna becomes entangled with an enigmatic killer, their confrontation turns deadly, and the loose ends of a life spent killing weave themselves ever tighter.
Director: Martin Campbell
Cast: Maggie Q, Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson, Patrick Malahide, David Rintoul, Ori Pfeffer, Ray Fearon, Caroline Loncq, Robert Patrick
Rated R for strong and bloody violence, language, some sexual references and brief nudity
Release Date:
Genres: Action, Crime, Thriller
Runtime: 1h 49min
Review:
The Protégé plays like a hybrid between Mr. & Mrs. Smith and La Femme Nikita. The latter fits perfectly for the film's star, Maggie Q, who led the underseen and underappreciated 2010 series Nikita. Needless to say, she's perfectly in her comfort zone here. Martin Campbell brings his directorial clout having helmed two well regarded Bond films. Together they should make for a match in heaven but a hackneyed muddled script hampers what should have been a slam dunk. Thankfully the action sequences well staged and engaging with Q doing the majority of her own stunts. In addition to being incredibly adept at the physicality needed for the role but she's equally capable as an actress. She has the ability to go from stone cold stoic to vulnerable with an impressive subtly. Samuel L. Jackson, who plays her adoptive father, is more subdued than his recent turn in The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard instead he seems to be channeling Jules from Pulp Fiction which is a nice change of pace. Michael Keaton makes the biggest impression in a supporting roles as he works the sort of wry world weary charm and intensity that worked so well for him in Burton's Batman. Keaton and Q make for a strange May December pairing since they don't share any tangible romantic chemistry. Even though their relationship isn't believable both performers are able to make each of their interactions the high points of the film. So why doesn't the whole thing work better as a cohesive whole? The script doesn't do any favors for the cast and director as they try their hardest to overcome the inherent limitations in terms of story and dialogue. Thankfully, The Protégé is able to overcome this and still deliver a fun spy thriller even if its not as good as it could have been.
B-
