The Mechanic

2011

The Mechanic

Critics Consensus

Jason Statham and Ben Foster turn in enjoyable performances, but this superficial remake betrays them with mind-numbing violence and action thriller cliches.

53%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 163

51%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 57,743
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The Mechanic Photos

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Movie Info

Arthur Bishop (Jason Statham) is a 'mechanic' - an elite assassin with a strict code and unique talent for cleanly eliminating targets. It's a job that requires professional perfection and total detachment, and Bishop is the best in the business. But when his mentor and close friend Harry (Donald Sutherland) is murdered, Bishop is anything but detached. His next assignment is self-imposed - he wants those responsible dead.

His mission grows complicated when Harry's son Steve (Ben Foster) approaches him with the same vengeful goal and a determination to learn Bishop's trade. Bishop has always acted alone but he can't turn his back on Harry's son. A methodical hit man takes an impulsive student deep into his world and a deadly partnership is born. But while in pursuit of their ultimate mark, deceptions threaten to surface and those hired to fix problems become problems themselves. -- (C) CBS films

Cast

Jason Statham
as Arthur Bishop
Ben Foster
as Steve McKenna
Donald Sutherland
as Harry McKenna
Tony Goldwyn
as Dean Sanderson
Mini Anden
as Sarah
Jeff Chase
as Burke
James Logan
as Jorge Lara
Christa Campbell
as Kelly
Jeffrey Chase
Eddie J. Fernandez
as Lara's Guard
Joshua Bridgewater
as Car Jacker
John McConnell
as Vaughn
Eddie Fernandez
as Lara's Guard
Joel Davis
as Husband
Mark Anthony Nutter
as Mr. Finch
Ardy Brent Carlson
as Bell Hop
Lara Grice
as Mrs. Finch
Lance E. Nichols
as Henry
J.D. Evermore
as Gun Runner
Ada Michelle Loridans
as Finch's Daughter
Linzzi Zaorski
as Jazz Club Singer
Dawn Neufeld
as News Reporter #1
Molly Rosenblatt
as News Reporter #2
Bill Scharpf
as Dean's Driver
John Teague
as Ney
David Leitch
as Sebastian
Jennifer Ortega
as Lara's Girl #1
LaTeace Towns-Cuellar
as Lara's Girl #2
Paul Abraham
as Shuttle Driver
David Dahlgren
as Dr. X
Stuart Greer
as Ralph
Kasia Wolejnio
as Maria
Larrel France
as Vaughn's Intern
Danny Cosmo Higginbottom
as Peasant
Derek Schreck
as Security Guard
Choop Hunyup
as "Arthur" the Dog
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News & Interviews for The Mechanic

RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: The Mechanic and ESPN’s 30 for 30
Box Office Guru Wrapup: Anthony Hopkins Has The Rite Stuff
Critics Consensus: The Mechanic Could Use A Tune-Up
View All

Critic Reviews for The Mechanic

All Critics (163) | Top Critics (39) | Fresh (87) | Rotten (76)

  • Capping the entire film is a pulsating, propelling, heart pounding score by Mark Isham. It just accelerated the excitement and energy of the already powerful storyline and action.

    November 16, 2019 | Full Review…

    Debbie Lynn Elias

    Behind The Lens
    Top Critic

  • It may not be a film that has any lasting impact, but it is one that satisfies audiences trying to get their action fix.

    May 8, 2019 | Full Review…

    Micheal Compton

    Bowling Green Daily News
    Top Critic

  • The Mechanic gets a low score even by the abysmal standards set by Statham and the kinds of films he assembly-lines.

    April 3, 2019 | Rating: 1.5/5 | Full Review…

    Shubhra Gupta

    The Indian Express
    Top Critic

  • If you've seen and enjoyed a Statham movie, you know what to expect.

    February 16, 2019 | Full Review…

    Nathalia Aryani

    San Diego Entertainer
    Top Critic

  • The Mechanic isn't precisely a classic, but Foster's performance and the ferocity of some sequences elevate it above the genre median.

    February 16, 2019 | Rating: B | Full Review…

    Abbie Bernstein

    Assignment X
    Top Critic

  • Statham belongs to the tradition of heroes, from John Wayne through Harrison Ford, who are laconic to the point of grumpiness. Yet it's not his terse toughness that makes him special. Oddly enough it's his fastidiousness...

    May 17, 2018 | Full Review…

    John Powers

    NPR's Fresh Air
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (163)

Audience Reviews for The Mechanic

  • Apr 16, 2015
    I haven't seen the original film but this one's pretty good. It's thrilling and action-packed. And full of surprises.
    Maymay A Super Reviewer
  • Apr 04, 2014
    Jason Statham stars in this remake of the 1972 film of the same name. I seriously disliked the casting and acting, plot was superficial and predictable. The action wasn't fun enough to catch my attention and it's just overall a bad production and bad ensemble.
    Sylvester K Super Reviewer
  • Sep 30, 2013
    The Mechanic is very similar to The Transporter. Same loner doing jobs without asking questions. In this case, instead of transporting, he is killing. The problem is when the questions won't go away.
    Red L Super Reviewer
  • May 11, 2013
    A well-crafted thriller, The Mechanic is an intense and action packed film from director Simon West. Starring Jason Statham, Ben Foster, and Donald Sutherland, the film has a strong cast that delivers good performances. The story follows an assassin who takes on a protege, but is forced to go rogue when he's betrayed by his employer. The material is familiar, but the writing is able to keep the film engaging. Though it's not that original, The Mechanic is a solid action film.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
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