Safe

"Unfortunately Yakin never builds on the Luke/Mei chemistry, separating them for a good deal of the film, thus diminishing our emotional engagement. The frantic energy also dissipates in the final third when the plot (initially a serviceable MacGuffin) thickens into a pretty boring and convoluted ‘revelation’ involving New York City’s powers that be. Still – great to see James Hong alive and kicking."

"What starts out crisp and promising gives way to a conventional shoot-'em-up."

"With Yakin's all-action plot operating like clockwork, an on-song Statham proves anything but expendable in a genre he dominates. Predictable, sure, but equally pleasurable."

"You can’t help feeling that an initially adventurous movie has had its rough edges sanded away."

"If only someone would offer this actor a project worthy of the full range of his talent."

"Though Safe initially seems a little darker and more thoughtful than the British star's previous comic-book escapades in 'Death Race,' 'The Expendables' or the 'Transporter' trilogy, it ultimately reverts to testosterone-heavy formula."

"Safe has more action than intrigue (or logic), and it's boilerplate vicious. It may satisfy Statham's fans, but they - like he - would do well to enlarge their expectations."

"A rough, exhausting, exhilarating action picture with a payoff which would have delighted Sam Fuller or Howard Hawks. The Stath — an actual Olympian, remember — is on top form."

"The character-building is proffered in bad faith, like every scene in Safe that doesn't involve bloodshed. Statham can sell a punch, but not his own vulnerability."