- Director: Ric Roman Waugh
- Screenplay: Ward Parry
- Cast: Jason Statham, Bodhi Rae Breathnach, Bill Nighy, Naomi Ackie, Daniel Mays
- Cinematography: Martin Ahlgren
- Editing: Matthew Newman
- Score: David Buckley
- Genre: Action thriller
- Runtime: 107 minutes
With ‘Shelter‘, you know what you’re in for – a Jason Statham-starring action thriller. It’s nothing out of the ordinary; a high-octane big screen escapade where the plot plays second fiddle to fight scenes. He’s a dependable presence, as ever.
Michael Mason (Statham) lives unbothered on a wee Scottish island in the Outer Hebrides, his only companion a dog. A young girl, Jessie (Bodhi Rae Breathnach, a future star), and her uncle drop off supplies for Michael on a weekly excursion to the isle. Choppy waters overturn the pair’s boat and, with her uncle unfortunately drowning, Jessie is left under the care of Michael after he dives in and rescues her from a watery fate.
There’s a reason Michael’s chosen a life of seclusion: he’s a former black ops assassin who disobeyed his superiors by not killing an innocent man (see, he’s a good guy). For all intents and purposes, he’s a ghost, having faked his own death a decade earlier to avoid detection. Being a paternal figure wasn’t part of his plan so when his past catches up with him, he’s forced to abandon the peacefulness of his home. In an attempt to return Jessie to some semblance of safety, the duo dodge threats sent their way from a crooked government official (Bill Nighy).
The cinematography in the opening chapter on the island is fine; time-lapse photography showing the day progressing and the clouds whizzing by, emphasising the repetitive nature of such a mundane existence. An adequate buildup at the start helps to establish the feeling of an idyllic quietness…that’s shattered when a squad of soldiers wash ashore and we’re thrust into the action.
My rating: 6 / 10
SilverScreen 