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The Mercenary: Absolution Review

Mercenary Absolution CoverDirector: Keoni Waxman

Cast: Steven Seagal, Byron Mann, Vinnie Jones, Josh Barnett, Adina Stetcu,

Run Time: 91 minutes

Certificate: 18

Action star and aikido master Steven Seagal returns to our screens in THE MERCENARY: ABSOLUTION, reuniting him with director Keoni Waxman (A GOOD MAN, FORCE OF EXECUTION) for another tale of crime and retribution.

While awaiting extraction from a job, veteran contract killer John Alexander (Steven Seagal) and his protégé Chi (Byron Mann) save damsel in distress Nadia (Adina Stetcu) from a group of thugs. A sadistic mob boss (Vinnie Jones) with powerful political connections begins hunting them, forcing John to choose between protecting the girl or remaining loyal to the government agency that hired him for their mission.

Some of Seagal’s recent outings have received criticism for their nonsensical narratives but this couldn’t be said about ABSOLUTION, with the plot a straightforward, somewhat basic affair. Despite this, it manages to become a little disjointed in places, likely due to some ill-judged stylistic decisions including clumsy nonlinear cutaways, unnecessary flashbacks and repeated footage.

ABSOLUTION feels incredibly clichéd throughout and also suffers from a lack of character progression, especially worrying considering the film’s title.

Unexpectedly the film’s lead also disappoints; Seagal coming across more uninterested than cool as he drifts through the movie, with only the occasional flicker of his trademark character. Unfortunately most of Seagal’s fight scenes – the big draw in a film like this – feel stagnant, dull and unsatisfying to watch; a real shame considering his pedigree.

Vinnie Jones performs reasonably in his role of ‘The Boss’, with the film’s dark opening sequence (in which his character showcases his penchant for brutality) allowing him to be particularly menacing. He’s suitably threatening in his role throughout and the film could perhaps of done with utilising him more, though at times he does fall a little into pantomime with the use of his trademark stare.

The star of ABSOLUTION is Byron Mann’s Chi; a cocky but likeable sidekick to Seagal’s understated John Alexander. With Mann coping with the poor script admirably and delivering most of his high kicks and quips with aplomb, it’s during Chi’s scenes that the film shows any character at all. Unfortunately though, Mann’s efforts are nowhere near enough to redeem what is otherwise a very poor film.

This film may appeal to hardcore Seagal fans in principle but the absence of B-Movie charm and painful levels of cliché make it hard to recommend to anyone. Lacking key ingredients to make this an enjoyable romp and resulting in another off day for Seagal, THE MERCENARY: ABSOLUTION fails to land its punches or atone for its sins.

MERCENARY: ABSOLUTION is out to buy now.

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