‘Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday’ Has Head-Popping Fun in Malta

By Rob Hunter · Published on October tenth, 2022

Ask followers to call immediately’s finest action-star, and whereas solutions would differ, you’d discover a big contingent replying with Scott Adkins. As an actor and/or stunt performer he’s appeared in quite a few large Hollywood productions, nevertheless it’s usually within the smaller movies the place he shines finest. His motion chops are undisputed with a resume that features high-energy combat sequences within the likes of Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning (2012), Ninja: Shadow of a Tear (2013), Eliminators (2016), Avengement (2019), and One Shot (2021). He’s one thing of a triple risk, although, as along with his combat expertise, Adkins may act and has charisma for days. Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday is a movie that understands methods to make the most of all three leading to a enjoyable, messy, and thrilling motion/comedy.

Mike Fallon (Adkins) is a hitman who used to work for a company again in London staging kills to appear like accidents, however when a twisted flip of occasions led to him slaughtering each different murderer on the town he determined to maneuver on and by no means look again. Malta is his residence now, and his solely acquaintance is a Clouseau/Cato-like sidekick named Siu-ling (Sarah Chang) who retains Mike on his toes by attacking him abruptly as soon as every week. His previous catches up with him, although, when previous acquaintances arrive on the island and Mike is tasked with defending the weaselly son (George Fouracres) of a criminal offense lord (Flaminia Cinque) from a rogues gallery of eclectic assassins.

While 2018’s Accident Man is extra straight impressed from Pat Mills’ supply comedian, Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday sees Adkins and author Stu Small take the character in their very own path. It dabbles briefly within the artwork of kills staged like accidents, however the primary motion thrust right here sees Mike dealing with an more and more harmful group of assassins in his effort to guard Dante (Fouracres). The result’s a movie extraordinarily mild on plot and character that as an alternative succeeds virtually solely on the power of Adkins’ presence and its combat sequences. It’s not essentially best, however as a ninety minute trifle it greater than satisfies with robust combat motion and a humorousness that lands most of the time. (There’s one “shitty” interruption to a combat scene that ought to in all probability have been trimmed.)

Adkins is a humorous and proficient actor, and as an motion star he’s not afraid to be self-effacing together with his co-stars. From being instructed he seems to be like “a melted Ben Affleck” to getting his ass (and nads) kicked a number of occasions by Chang, it’s clear he’s wonderful being the punching bag. And whereas the movie is nearer to a broad comedy at occasions, one or two barely extra critical beats seem with Adkins showcasing his dramatic expertise reverse a mutton-chopped Ray Stevenson. The focus is motion and comedy, although, and Adkins is having a blast on each fronts.

The incoming killers are as soon as once more an excessive bunch given their very own illustrated title playing cards, and whereas they might be wholly unbelievable in the actual world — these clowns may by no means sneak round undetected — they make for entertaining foils within the exaggerated world of Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday. The costumed assassins differ of their preventing type from hammers to fingers, however two stand out. Beau Fowler‘s Poco the Killer Clown makes for a freakish adversary, each visually and as a personality incapable of feeling ache, after which Andy Long‘s Oyumi shines with some blistering combat expertise. Richard C. Bell‘s camerawork additionally will get to impress with its energetic, in-the-moment actions particularly through the fights with each.

The fights are robust and entertaining all through, good news as they’re the literal spine of the movie, and ship a way of enjoyable alongside the choreographed thrills. They’re largely spectacular too apart from some missteps within the spatial geography — there are a number of situations the place a shot’s depth fails to persuade {that a} fist or foot was wherever close to the goal it supposedly hit. Styles and weapon decisions are different, and there’s a superb mixture of grace and aggression. Most of the fights are to the loss of life, however even Adkins’ extra playful bouts with Chang convey the products with velocity, type, and plenty of damaged furnishings.

But it’s not all sunshine and smiles. While the primary movie was directed by Adkins common Jesse V. Johnson, Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday is the solo characteristic debut of the Kirby brothers (George Kirby & Harry Kirby) who don’t essentially put their finest foot ahead right here. There’s a ramshackle really feel at occasions as scenes can really feel thrown collectively and transitions appear rushed. The movie’s first act is very rough-going with some heavy narration (a difficulty with the primary movie too) and atrocious CG results, however followers will wish to keep it up as issues come along with the remaining hour delivering loads of motion and enjoyable. It additionally helps that the movie was shot in Malta because the island nation brings immense magnificence that not even the Kirbys can screw up.

Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday gained’t set the DTV motion panorama ablaze, nevertheless it’s yet one more entertaining and thrilling entry in Adkins’ rising filmography. The man’s within the again half of his forties — not that you just’d comprehend it by fisticuffs and flying kicks — and it’s good to know that when his physique finally begins slowing down his wit, allure, and appearing abilities will nonetheless be on show.

Accident Man: Hitman’s Holiday opens October 14th in theaters and on VOD.

Related Topics: Action

Rob Hunter has been writing for Film School Rejects since earlier than you have been born, which is bizarre seeing as he is so rattling younger. He’s our Chief Film Critic and Associate Editor and lists ‘Broadcast News’ as his favourite movie of all time. Feel free to say hello for those who see him on Twitter @FakeRobHunter.