Greetings again from the darkness. This is a Jason Statham movie on a boat. For anyone who would be interested in this one, that description is all that’s needed. By now, we know what to expect from a Statham movie: lots of action, plenty of mano-y-mano fisticuffs, and a reason for him to flash a heart of gold buried under that tough and well-toned exterior. Director Jean-Francois Richet was behind the two excellent “Merine” movies in 2008, and here is back with his PLANE (2003) screenwriter JP Davis (joined by co-writer Lindsay Michel).
Cole Reed (Statham) is the trusted bodyguard for a billionaire shipping magnate (Ramon Tikaram) who is selling his company so that his son (Chaneil Kular) can pursue his own dreams (a tale as old as time). Of course, there is more to the story (and more to the son), but it becomes clear that the sale is not in the best interest of a particular group that is committed to halting the transaction. When the owner is ambushed, Cole Reed is falsely accused … oh, and yes, this sets him on a mission for revenge.
It’s that mission that finds Cole on a huge cargo ship, where he discovers yet another reason to be a hero. On the ship, he crosses paths with the third mate (Annabelle Wallis, “Peaky Blinders”, niece of legendary actor Richard Harris), who also discovers some nefarious activities being carried out by the captain and crew. This inspires the almost comical level of violence that follows … imagine a Jackie Chan movie played straight … or if John McClain was saving Christmas on a cruise ship. Plot holes abound, as do bone-crunching punches and some creative uses of props/weapons. Jason Statham continues to be the hero we deserve – at least in Jason Statham movies.
Opens in theaters nationwide on August 21, 2026
Posted by David Ferguson 
Greetings again from the darkness. Artificial Intelligence ranks with politics as one of the hottest topics of conversation these days. Of course, we don’t yet know what role AI will play in society; however, we are pretty certain all aspects of our world will be touched in some form. This story from writer Marco van Belle and director Timur Berkmambetov (WANTED, 2008) is set only three years in the future, and the premise is that AI judges now decide criminal cases. As with most stories steeped in science fiction, your enjoyment of the film will depend on your willingness to buy into a concept that seems a bit far-fetched. But that buy-in will likely leave you entertained, rather than rolling your eyes (ok, maybe both), by what’s on screen.
Movie Reviews from the Dark 