“When I want your opinion, I will buy you a brain.” —Robert Morel
Today’s quick review: Bullet to the Head. When his partner is murdered by a mercenary named Keegan (Jason Momoa), hitman James Bonomo (Sylvester Stallone) teams up with Detective Taylor Kwon (Sung Kang) to track down Keegan’s employer, also the man responsible for the death of Taylor’s ex-partner. Their investigation pits them against the formidable resources of criminal real estate tycoon Robert Morel (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje).
Bullet to the Head is a buddy action movie that pairs a trigger-happy hitman with a straight-laced cop. Bullet to the Head shows flashes of style, such as its punchy opening credits and its distinctive blues soundtrack, but the film never makes good on its promise. Instead, Bullet to the Head offers a typical action movie package: competent action with limited scope, an entertaining lead in Sylvester Stallone, and a forgettable plot.
Bullet to the Head’s main appeal should come from its mismatched leads, but the relationship never quite clicks. James Bonomo is a classic tough guy with a smattering of good lines, but Taylor Kwon never manages to prove himself. The two partners just aren’t equals in terms of competence, respect for each other, or audience appeal. While the script plays this dynamic for laughs with modest success, it is a weak spot at the core of the movie.
Bullet to the Head is a fine watch when you’re in the mood for some straightforward action. Sylvester Stallone, competent fight choreography, and a few stylistic flourishes make the movie a fun enough watch for action fans, but Bullet to the Head mishandles what should be a strong relationship between its two leads. For a buddy movie with a better dynamic, check out The Hitman’s Bodyguard or 2 Guns.
5.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for an entertaining lead and some decent action.