One of the better action films The Courier opens this weekend and it’s a screamer. The film opens with action, pauses with dialogue so you have the necessary information to digest, then takes off on the wildest ride of your life. Holding the film together is an amazing performance by Olga Kurylenko reminiscent of the action in the John Wick series. If you like physical films then this intense thriller should be on the top of your list.
At a funeral, rich New York City entrepreneur Ezekiel Mannings (Gary Oldman) gets accused of a murder. He gives his daughter Alys (Calli Tayloer) an order to start his plan of action on the matter. He tells her it has to be done quickly and needs to follow up with any problems involving the CIA. The movie then shows who Mannings is and the power he has over city government. Before taking off on a motorcycle ride thru London we find out that he has been put on trial with only one witnesses who has fled to England.
The film then turns to The Courier (Olga Kurylenko) in who is speeding down the streets of London on her way to deliver a package. At the building where she is heading a number of Interpol and the National Crime Agency agents have Nick Murch (Amit Shah) ready to testify via telecommunications and waiting for the package that The Courier is bringing. Murch’s testimony will put Mannings away for good, but not if he remains alive to tell about it.
Thus begins a compelling high action film that pits the courier against unbelievable odds. Director and co-writer Zackary Adler moves his film along at a reckless pace putting Olga Kurylenko’s character in jeopardy when she finds out that someone in the room where she’s delivering the package is not who they are pretending to be. Adler then throws everything imaginable against the one woman ex-military protagonist, putting The Courier up against the best fighters Interpol has and a special ops renegade.
I have always liked Olga Kurylenko and here she shows again that she can perform as the solid aggressor for which her character calls. Showing her flexibility, athletic capability and a bad ass attitude she commands the screen in every scene she’s in. Her fighting skills are as much as good as others who take on the role of hand to hand combat characters like Michelle Rodriguez in Fast and Furious, Lucy Liu in Kill Bill, Milla Jovovich in Resident Evil, and Scarlet Johansson in Lucy to name a few. After watching the film please send me your list of who you think the top female fighters are to: Jdelia@acedmagazine.com.
The Courier has been rated R for strong violence including bloody images, and language throughout. It may be a guy movie, but any action fan should take a peek at what Zackary Adler has brought to the screen.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A great escape from everyday humdrum. (4 out of 5 Stars)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Gary Oldman, Olga Kurylenko, Dermot Mulroney, William Moseley, Alicia Agneson, Amit Shah, Craig Conway, Lee Charles, Gordon Alexander
Directed and co-written by: Zackary Adler
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R for strong violence including bloody images, and language throughout
Running Time: 1 hr. 39 min.
Opening Date: November 22, 2019
Distributed by: Lionsgate Films
Released in: Theaters, Color
