Shelter (English) Review {2.0/5} & Review Rating
Star Cast: Jason Statham, Bodhi Rae Breathnach
Director: Ric Roman Waugh
Shelter Movie Review Synopsis:
SHELTER is the story of a former assassin's bond with a young girl. Michael Mason (Jason Statham) lives alone on an island in the Outer Hebrides off Scotland, along with his unnamed pet dog. A middle-aged man arrives every week on the island, along with his niece Jessie (Bodhi Rae Breathnach), and drops supplies. Michael doesn't even acknowledge them or open the door. One day, Jessie makes her displeasure clear about it, but Michael doesn't react. While returning, their boat capsizes. Michael runs to save them. The uncle dies while Jessie survives. She's injured and with no other option, Michael rushes to the mainland to buy medical supplies. Meanwhile, the MI6 is under scanner for developing 'Total Human Engagement Analytics' aka THEA, a programme capable of tracking anyone anywhere in the world but which also breaches privacy laws. As luck would have it, Michael is picked up by THEA, and it rings an alert in their system. Shockingly, due to mischief by vested interests, Michael is misidentified as a European terrorist, Timur Tschermov. A team is immediately sent by MI6 to eliminate 'Timur'. By the time the authorities realize their folly, it's too late, as Michael has already finished off the officers and is on the run along with Jessie. What happens next forms the rest of the film.
Shelter Movie Story Review:
Ward Parry's story is a bhel puri of several such films. Ward Parry's screenplay is engaging and has its share of moments, but it also gets into the predictable zone. The dialogues are decent. It’s a pleasant surprise that PVR INOX Pictures has released the film with subtitles.
Director Ric Roman Waugh tries his best to make the goings-on captivating. The first 10 minutes are just okay as Ric takes his own sweet time to establish the setting and the characters. The film gets better once Michael is compelled to take care of Jessie. The action scenes are aplenty and they keep the interest going. A few such sequences that stand out are soldiers attacking Michael on his island, the car chase between Michael and James Workman (Bryan Vigier) and the one in the pre-climax at Arthur Booth’s (Daniel Mays) house.
On the flipside, the basic plot of an assassin with a dark past who finds meaning to his life yet again has been beaten to death in several films. Even Bollywood has had films like ROCKY HANDSOME [2016], AWARAPAN [2007], etc. and this one is also in the same zone. The concept of THEA gives a déjà vu of God's Eye in the FAST & FURIOUS series. There's no suspense or twist in the tale and at times, it also gets convenient. One can predict where the film will go, including the very final scene. Lastly, the limited awareness and competition will affect its prospects.
Shelter Movie Review Performances:
Jason Statham is a pro when it comes to such roles. As expected, he’s thoroughly entertaining and this time, he also tugs at the viewers’ heartstrings. Bodhi Rae Breathnach plays a difficult role with panache and complements Jason beautifully. Bill Nighy (Stephen Manafort) and Roberta Frost (Naomi Ackie) leave a huge mark. Daniel Mays is decent, while Bryan Vigier is aptly cast. Tom Wu (Kamal Shah) is passable.
Shelter movie music and other technical aspects:
David Buckley's music is in sync with the film's mood and theme. Martin Ahlgren's cinematography is breathtaking, especially the scenes of the remote island. Suzie Harman's costumes and Tim Blake's production design are realistic. The action is a highlight and not too gory. Matthew Newman's editing is satisfactory.
Shelter Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, SHELTER is a typical Jason Statham entertainer with plenty of action. However, its impact is limited due to a predictable, clichéd storyline and script. At the box office, the competition from holdover and new releases will also prove detrimental.