*So,
Parker was not categorized as "Action" by IMDB, but you be the judge. [They
later revised that to
Action/Crime/Thriller.]
With a script written by John J. McLaughlin
(seen here in this
interview by Grace Randolph),
Parker is based on the novel Flashfire by author
Donald E. Westlake (under the
pseudonym "Richard Stark"). The character of Parker was also in
Payback starring Mel Gibson. (You remember the trailer
overkill: "Give me back my son!")
According to Grace's interview, when
Westlake was writing the script, he did not know it was for
Jason Statham. It's
perfectly suited to him, however, because it follows the line of
the Transporter movies, where there are rules. They
jump into what the rules are in the opening heist where Parker
talks a panicked security guard back down to calmness.
"I'm no better than you, you're no better than me."
"I don't steal from people who can't afford it, and I don't hurt
people who don't deserve it." It lays out his philosophy/who
he is, so you understand what drives him. This is important
because when he is crossed, you know that he cannot let that
stand. They made a deal with Parker and then they try to change
it. Someone should have told themup front "The deal is the deal."
NO
ONE LIKES CHAOS
The big surprise in this movie is how perfect
Jennifer Lopez is. There seems to be a tendency in
movies that these kind of parts are overdone (especially for
attractive women—they make them too 'silly'). I don't know why that
seems the norm, but in this movie, it's just exactly as it should
be. No more, no less. It's believable, not a caricature, and that's
why it works. Her monologue lets us into her psyche and the two,
Parker and Jennifer's character Leslie Rogers, find a common ground. The monologue is really
a sad comment on our materialistic world, and the role of real
estate agents. Leslie Rogers knows the rules of Palm Beach and
offers to help Statham navigate and avoid notice. She brings a
little order to the chaos of his 'revenge'. I wouldn't say
this is a
Revenge Action Movie, because
it's more about the
Heist. The second big
heist is the driving force behind what happens to Parker, and the
point of interest in the major chunk of what he does next.
Also, the movie plays on the popularity of getting away with it.
Like Shawshank Redemption and so many others, we want them to
succeed and to keep the money.
FIGHTING FAIR Parker explains "Civilized
people need to follow rules. I just need to put things right." You
don't cross Parker. An
Action Movie Essential, the
Hero has to be on the 'Right' Side. He can still be a
criminal, but we have to empathize and identify with his cause or
take on things so we root for him to win. The killer chasing Parker
has been shown to be stealthy, uses a knife, and is vicious, so that
when he jumps Parker, you go from 0 to 100 like POW! The fight scene
between Jason Statham and Daniel Bernhardt is really
intense and not 'pretty'. It begins with a stab to Parker's chest
that was meant for his heart (We've previously seen Bernhardt's
character Kroll stab another man in the heart with a
really long blade, so Parker's at a disadvantage and lucky to be
alive from the first second.) The fight's intensity level is
so high that Parker has to *SPOILER* impale his hand to stop from
being killed by the knife. It's not the only intense fight scene.
Parker, at one point, shoves a bloody clip into his gun. Even the
SNAFU interaction in the getaway van after the first heist is harsh.
Kudos to Statham's stunt double James Embree for the roll in
the street. That looked painful. [Here's Statham making that
jump (from
IMDB).]
With Parker, it's not just
about the fact that they tried to kill him. As he puts it "When I
enter into an agreement both sides have to be honored." He did
his part and then they tried to not pay him. They tried to change
the deal. That's when the chaos started. That wasn't fair.
'ROBBING' HOOD
Parker is a man of his word.. "When I say I'll do something, I
always follow through." It's not about the money, so much as
getting paid. Just so it's clear, at the end he says "It's not
about money." He gets the money and gives a lot of it
away. Half to Leslie Rogers, and some (the other half?) to the
couple who helped him when he was left for dead on the side of the
road. It definitely brings into question who's it hurting when
really really rich people get robbed? The main heist in the movie is
for $75 million in jewels. They show a few wealthy people fawning
over the jewels and generally being shallow, vain, and
self-indulgent. At least that's my take on it. I doubt many
really wealthy people would see Parker. They are probably watching
some worthy cause documentary at Sundance après ski, looking for
something to donate to in order to alleviate their guilt and justify
keeping their
wealth. The ability to identify with the common man has got to
be part of why Action Movies are so popular worldwide. It's
the 99%.
HONOR AMONG THIEVES
Parker joined the crew that pulled off the Ohio State Fair heist for
$1million on the recommendation of Nick Nolte's character
Hurley who vouched for the group. A couple of wrong notes
in the movie for me were that everyone in the van had a gun but
Parker, and that Hurley should have known one of the group was
'connected'. Both are a little flimsy as plot devices. Of
course both are possible, but not plausible. Also, wouldn't you have
Googled "$50-75 million in jewels Palm Beach" and expected to
find out about the auction. Needing Leslie Rogers to find that out
was also a little thin. It didn't affect my
enjoyment of the movie overall. I just hate it when I notice
something, and it takes me out of the story for a moment. The rest was
great fun.
The pacing was really good as well. There were lots of little
moments of humor that kept me chuckling. On the whole, it was a group of
believable characters. I'm adding
Micah A. Hauptman
to my list of
Whiners for his stellar pussy-ness in the portrayal of
August Hardwicke. His red-line panic and outright cowardice
kept me thoroughly entertained.
I really liked Parker. I would buy it and
watch it again. I like the Action, the lines, and the chemistry
between Statham and Lopez. Makes you want to see them together
again. I think he really would have liked her, he just was already
'involved'. His amused little smile said so much. He said something
about why he couldn't/wouldn't sleep with her (it wasn't "never
open the package"), but there was background noise in the
theater and I didn't catch it. :( I'd pay to see it again if I was
rich just to catch that line. Maybe it was 'It's not good to bend
the rules." (Sorry, I am really enjoying quoting
The Transporter.) Statham's
acting was perfect. He might not get critical acclaim for it, but I
hope the box office popularity/paycheck makes up for that.
EQUALITY OF EXPLOITATION
I loved that they made Jason Statham's character an object of lust for Leslie Rogers.
Almost makes up for the gratuitous boobs here and there (almost).
Brings to mind the line from Casino Royale . . . "perfectly
formed ass". Can't help but like it when they objectify
men. Payback's a bitch. And in case you need an extra shot of
Statham to make you go see Parker, here's something to make you
remember just how awesome The Transporter was:
action movie freak
With a script written by John J. McLaughlin
(seen here in this
NO
ONE LIKES CHAOS
'ROBBING' HOOD
