Mechanic: Resurrection (released in theaters on August 26, 2016) is a high-octane sequel that takes the cold, calculated professionalism of Arthur Bishop and thrusts it into a vibrant, international arena. Directed by Dennis Gansel, the film pivots from the gritty, intimate noir of the 2011 original toward a grander, “James Bond-esque” spectacle.
It is a film that leans heavily into the “Statham brand” of action—brilliantly choreographed, physically demanding, and punctuated by ingenious assassination set-pieces.
With its breathtaking locations ranging from the shores of Thailand to the skyscrapers of Sydney, the movie functions as a visceral travelogue of violence, proving that the “Mechanic” is most effective when the world is his toolbox.
Arthur Bishop (Jason Statham), having faked his death to enjoy a quiet retirement in Brazil, is tracked down by a shadow from his past: Crain, a childhood friend turned ruthless arms dealer.
Crain demands that Bishop perform three “impossible” assassinations, all designed to look like accidents, or a woman Bishop has grown to care for, Gina (Jessica Alba), will be killed.
Bishop, initially reluctant, finds himself forced back into the life he abandoned, seeking the counsel of an old ally, Mei (Michelle Yeoh), as he prepares for his most difficult contracts yet.
The mission takes Bishop across the globe as he targets three high-profile criminals protected by impenetrable security.
His first hit involves a daring escape from a tropical prison, followed by a gravity-defying infiltration of a high-rise swimming pool in Australia.
The final target is the eccentric and heavily guarded Max Adams (Tommy Lee Jones), a billionaire arms dealer who recognizes Bishop’s talent and offers an alternative path.
As the clock ticks down on Gina’s life, Bishop must use every ounce of his tactical genius to outmaneuver Crain.
The narrative builds to an explosive finale aboard a luxury yacht, where the hunter becomes the hunted, and Bishop must execute a final, flawless plan to secure his freedom and dismantle Crain’s empire once and for all.
Mechanic: Resurrection is the sequel to the 2011 film The Mechanic, which was a remake of the 1972 Charles Bronson film of the same name.
Jessica Alba in Mechanic: Resurrection (Photo/Lionsgate)
Reception for Mechanic: Resurrection
Mechanic: Resurrection grossed $7.5 million on its opening weekend, finishing fifth at the box office.
The film would gross $125.7 million worldwide.
Owen Gleiberman, in his Variety review, called Mechanic: Resurrection “a bite-sized Bond film, or maybe a grittier homicidal knockoff of the “Mission: Impossible” series, with a lone-wolf renegade as the entire team.”
Legacy
Mechanic: Resurrection‘s legacy is its standing as a peak example of the modern, globetrotting action thriller that prioritizes practical stunts and inventive “death-traps.”
The movie is also noted for solidifying Statham’s status as one of the few remaining bankable stars of pure, old-school action cinema.
While it leaned more toward spectacle than the psychological depth of its predecessor, it achieved significant international success, proving the global appeal of the character.
Mechanic: Resurrection is viewed as a high-energy, unapologetic sequel that delivered exactly what fans desired: a masterclass in cinematic efficiency and a reminder that when it comes to the art of the “accidental” kill, Arthur Bishop has no equal.
