Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Wrath of Man review says the breakneck pacing and suspense, plus Jason Statham at his steely best, overcome the film’s minor flaws.

Banks? Jewels? Drugs? Art? Heist movies and TV shows on those topics have been done ad nauseam, so it’s exciting to come across a heist pic that doesn’t focus on the same ole, same ole. And when a film combines two of the great action artists of our time, Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham, it’s impossible not to be intrigued.

The plot revolves around a prominent LA cash delivery service. Banks, marijuana dispensaries, department stores, any place that deals in the cold, hard substance needs it transported from point A to point B, and Portico has assembled a motley crew of cold, hard professionals with state of the art weapons, communications and armored trucks to make sure the bucks get passed safely.

Recently, however, a truck has been robbed and the drivers killed. This takes place in an opening scene we see through the truck’s security camera. Well played, Mr. Ritchie. It’s terribly chilling.

Three months later steely eyed Statham (whose character takes on the nickname ‘H’) arrives as the new guy on the squad. His killer confidence and tight-lipped proficiency punctuate the fact that he’s hiding something. Many a skillfully directed action scene and plot twists galore gradually reveal who he really is and the truth about his motivation.

As the film powers forward, there are few moments of levity, or Ritchie’s signature irony, to add dimension, texture and relief to the deadly serious proceedings. I miss those.

I also miss a strong, steady supporting cast. A number of cast members (especially Holt McCalleney, but also Jeffrey Donovan, Josh Hartnett and Scott Eastwood) appear to have forgotten to bring their big screen A-games, or perhaps just had trouble selling  the occasionally ridiculous dialogue. Ritchie, who wrote the script along with Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies, has done better.

Still, the start-to-finish suspense, break neck pacing and Jason Statham as we know and love him are enough to redeem the overall work. Fans will not be disappointed.

Rated R

1 Hour 58 Minutes

If this Wrath of Man review makes you want to jump in your muscle car and race out to see it find out where it’s playing on Fandango.com.

Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Wrath of Man review says the breakneck pacing and suspense, plus Jason Statham at his steely best, overcome the film’s minor flaws.

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