What’s It About
A rogue insurgent assassinates foreign journalists and makes it look like the CIA is responsible. Coaxed out of retirement to clear the agency’s name, a deadly operative must confront his checkered past while unraveling an international conspiracy.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
This story revolves around Steve Vail. He was one of the CIA’s most influential and unorthodox agents. His tendency to deviate from the script got results, although they were unauthorized. Acting as a handler for Radek, who executed the CIA’s worst tasks, Vail’s life took a dark turn when Radek’s family was brutally murdered. Tasked with eliminating his unhinged associate, Vail thought he had closed that chapter of his life when he left the CIA. However, years later, with the CIA accused of targeting journalists, Vail is reluctantly drawn back into the fold. This time, his mission involves taking down Radek, who miraculously survived and is now blackmailing the agency. That’s the plot in a nutshell. The film tries to immerse the audience in the heart of the action. Diverse camera angles add variety and amplify the impact of physical violence, creating a blend of denial and hatred. The Bricklayer dives into the twisted motivations of Radek and Vail, crafting complex characters against a backdrop of drama. The movie follows a formulaic espionage theme with limited emotional investment, stakes, or suspense. However, the movie compensates with a brisk pace and intense action sequences, delivering an entertaining thriller that caters to a specific audience. Aaron Eckhart, as Vail is a great character. He can switch emotions throughout the film, which sets him apart from typical action stars. On the other hand, Nina Dobrev, as his partner, CIA Agent Kate, lacks the charisma seen in Eckhart, resulting in a noticeable lack of chemistry between the characters. However, Clifton Collins Jr. seamlessly integrates with Eckhart, capturing the camaraderie their characters once shared. Despite not reaching the heights of other upcoming action movies, it’s better than most of what Marvel was putting out in 2023. So, while it will not win any awards, The Bricklayer is a decent option for those seeking an alternative after viewing the recent chart-topping films. It is a worthwhile choice for a theater visit if you want an engaging but mindless experience.
OUR RATING – A MASONRY 5
MEDIA
- Genre – Action
- Street date
- Digital – January 5, 2024.
- DVD – May 28, 2024
- Video – 1080p
- Screen size – 2.39:1
- Sound – English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
- Subtitles – English SDH
Extras
- none