REVIEW: SAMARITAN

3/5

The Good Samaritan. 

101 Mins. Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Javon Walton, Pilou Asbæk, Moises Arias & Dascha Polanco. Director: Julius Avery. 

Schwarzenegger. Stallone. Back in the golden era, Planet Hollywood 90's that this movie would have thrived in, these were our action heroes. Big budget blockbuster, box-office rivals, before they became 'Expendable' friends, trading presidential and "playing in the jungle" quips. 'Rambo' versus the man that took 'First Blood' from the 'Predator'. 'The Terminator' vs. 'Rocky', going the full-nine. The ultimate action hero showdown for their star-studded pictures. All before The Rock and Vin Diesel got into the 'Fast and Furious' cars, and so much more. Even before all these Marvel capes alternating with DC. Arnie and Sly, they were practically superheroes themselves. 

Which is why it's fitting that Balboa is now punching-up as a gully hero as gutter as the trash he takes out to a rain-soaked sidewalk every night like a discarded comic Spider-Man suit. All to the canned effects of his tenement building's door tin-opening like iron, man. That signature sound like a Wilhelm Scream. Sure, Stallone has been many a hero before. From 'Judge Dredd' to the 'Cobra' that doesn't shop here. The 'Demolition Man' has recently entered the comic-book Multiverse with James Gunn as Starhawk in 'Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2' and a f###### shark in last years 'The Suicide Squad', to King effect too. But now he's an even darker and richer hero of his own, as the good 'Samaritan' going up against a Nemesis (that has nothing to do with the Alton Towers ride that back in the 90's was as famous as Arnold and Sly's films) without a Salvation Army. 

Nope, like Jordan Peele. Sadly, Arnie is not unmasked as the Nemesis. But wouldn't that be a sweet sequel reunion, like the original 'Escape Plan' before Dave Bautista's Drax the Destroyer got involved? Instead, we have an even deeper reveal like the rendered CGI that will take you back to the days this grizzled legend was an Italian Stallion. Weathering hard times with his former franchise, this pugilist pug pulls no punches as a worn and weary hero. Even if the Samaritan's suited-up backstory as a supe may need to cut 'The Boys' a cheque, or at least Black Noir. But like that modern-day, cynical classic. This gritty tale brings the real-world down on you like a Peter Gabriel sledgehammer (no Billy Joel, this time). No matter how many cars it holds up like Cap's shield. 

Will Smith's 'Hancock'. Bruce Willis' 'Unbreakable' and all the 'Glass' that shattered after. Netflix's 'Old Guard' with Charlize Theron, or 'Project Power' with Jamie Foxx. Stripped-down from Marvel and DC, there's no other superhero movie quite like this 'Samaritan', as Stallone proves that even the older guard ("not obsolete" as his friend says) can still play in the sandbox. All as this Amazon Prime picture tries to find its footing next to Netflix and all the heroes and characters from a galaxy far, far away on Disney +. Brutal, but beautiful brooding. Stallone can do this kind of role in his sleep with growling gravitas and genuine heart as felt as his wise writing. He almost won an Oscar for it in 'Creed' on the Springsteen streets of Philadelphia, and there's always a sweet soul to these pictures. No matter what the critics say. Just step into the corner of 'Grudge Match' and take the pulse on the real meaning behind his and De Niro's 'Raging Bull' reunion return to the canvas.

'Son Of a Gun' and 'Overlord' director Julius Avery does a damn decent job of bringing this Mythos Comics ethos to screen. And 'Euphoria' star Javon Walton (no stranger to heroes in another super-charged, anti-franchise series, 'The Umbrella Academy') steals the show. Forming a beautiful bond with the reluctant, but fatherly presence of Stallone. Similar to Jackie Chan in 'The Karate Kid' with Jaden Smith, Ryan Reynolds with his younger self in one of this year's super surprises 'The Adam Project' and timeless movies before with tide and tested tropes that are testament to movie making. Pilou Asbæk (who was so good as Batou, alongside a Major Scarlett Johansson in the movie adaptation of the manga and anime 'Ghost In The Shell'), makes for a good bad guy, with 'The King Of Staten Island' Moises Arias by his bullying side. But it's 'Orange Is The New Black' and 'In The Heights' star Dascha Polanco, whose moving mothering will win your heart. In this Amazon prime-time picture, there is more than one Samaritan amongst all the bad. And when it comes to the leader of the old-school sticking the landing in this new Hollywood blockbuster game. We don't just have a real hero, but a real human-being, too. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Unbreakable', 'Project Power', 'The Suicide Squad'.