From the producers of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and directed by Gerry Lively comes Body Armour, a film featuring Til Schweiger and Chazz Palminteri. A bad judgment call three years previously caused the death of not only the presidential candidate John Ridley was employed to bodyguard, but also his career. When approached with a new job the ex-bodyguard snaps it up, but it is not all peaches and cream. Can he put all his emotions and revenge aside to protect the individual that he despises most in the world, the person that shattered his life into shell sized piece and ruined his career?
There is no room emotion and personal feelings when it comes to getting back in the game for this job. Ridley (Schweiger) somehow shows very little emotion whatsoever even when fronted by a person who shoot him and wrecked what seemed like the ideal life. I would have expected a little more than a few punches, a roll over the table and a smirk of disgust on Schweiger part. Palminteri is the perfect person to portray Lee Maxwell, the object of the disgust and the villain trying to make good before his death. At first and throughout much of the movie he is annoying, egotistical and sarcastic, giving a sick to the stomach impression for not only Ridley, but also the viewer.
I like the idea of getting your most hated opponent to protect you. As Palminteri’s character puts it “who better to guard me than the man that want to kill me the most.” It was pretty obvious that Ridley was going to get his job done, if not to protect Maxwell but to kill him after the trial himself. The ending was quite unexpected however. I thought maybe Ridley would see Maxwell was remorseful for his actions and past crimes and let him die peacefully with his condition, never did I expect the true outcome.
Body Armour is classed as an action flick, but where are they hiding it all as there is only minimal present here. In regards to fight scenes, a couple of knocks to the face and a twisted arm are as much as it can scrape up, though the rhythmic scenes show much talent and practice. There is gunfire, but it doesn’t have the same impact as some of the more excitable films released in recent months. There are very little explosions or manic scenes, which keep you on the edge of your seat. You get the odd moment of suspension build up though the music here, but the film pretty much flows without making the heart skip a beat.
Body Armour isn’t nail biting or explosive but there are definitely moments that will surprise you. It may not be the best action flick I have seen, but worth a watch anyway.
Michelle Moore