Let’s not beat around the bush; you already know the drill with this film. Jason Statham, despite his many strengths, consistently headlines movies that unfold and are framed in strikingly similar ways. Whether it’s The Expendables, Mechanic, The Beekeeper, A Working Man, or even The Meg and Fast & Furious, Statham’s roles and performances are typically those of the gruff, tough guy who overcomes obstacles to save the day, often employing the most violent means possible. You can criticize this predictability all you want, but you also can’t deny that Statham’s films tend to be quite entertaining.
So, let me save you some time by saying that Shelter fits perfectly into this established formula once again. It’s an easily consumable action film that doesn’t leave much of a lasting impression but contains enough moments to prove why Statham is continually sought after for these types of movies. One could aptly call it a perfect 5/10 film.
I won’t dwell extensively on the plot because, frankly, there isn’t much depth to highlight. In short, Statham portrays a former British special forces operative who, after years in exile and hiding, is discovered and hunted by the very government he once served. MI6 unleashes all sorts of assets and threats his way, and his mission is to overcome them while protecting a young girl who happens to be a relative of one of his former team members.
However, one might mistakenly assume Shelter is another bland, uninspired action flick, akin to A Working Man, but this is where the “Statham factor” truly kicks in. Despite its narrative shortcomings, the film features excellently choreographed scenes and fights that continue to demonstrate Statham’s standing as one of the best pure action stars. It’s very “John Wick-esque,” with sharp, fast-paced violence where the actors never appear to hold back or move sluggishly. It’s a brutal ballet, and Statham is a master of this dance.
Similarly, as Shelter‘s budget clearly doesn’t rival that of other modern action blockbusters, it leans more heavily on practical sets and environments, fluidly choreographed battles, and the class acts of its seasoned performers, such as the excellent Bill Nighy. This isn’t a film designed to waste your time; it’s a fast-paced rollercoaster of violence that will entertain, despite its most glaring issues and typical design elements. Regarding the latter, there are the obligatory plot “twists,” such as the protagonist Michael Mason’s dog being killed and serving as an additional motivation, and the classic single-man action film locale choices, including a club sequence where the deafening ambient EDM soundtrack completely drowns out all other sounds.
Yes, you’ve been here before, you’ve seen this kind of movie, but that doesn’t change the fact that Shelter is simply enjoyable entertainment. It doesn’t demand much, and one might always question whether we should continue to support films with such basic creative direction. However, unlike, say, War Machine on Netflix, Shelter‘s main asset is Statham, who, as usual, thrives and delivers a performance that makes the two-hour runtime fly by. It’s Statham as you know and love him. Make of it what you will.