Another year, another Jason Statham action movie. Why would you expect anything different? “Shelter” follows a former assassin who rescues a young girl from a deadly storm, as he must protect the orphan while battling enemies from his past.
In terms of quality, “Shelter” lies right between Statham’s most recent works, “The Beekeeper” and “A Working Man.” “The Beekeeper” nailed the balance between action and comedy, while “A Working Man” failed on virtually every front.
“Shelter,” however, actually has a little bit of heart. Still, the film follows the same tried-and-true formula: lots of action, little story. And of course — a cold and quiet Statham.
Statham’s character, Mason, is so stoic, in fact, that his raspy, hushed voice somehow cuts through a club full of blasting music. And his counterpart hears him perfectly.
It’s this lack of immersion that makes “Shelter” hard to invest in at times.
The film makes up for this through its visuals and fight choreography. If you come for the action, you’ll likely be satisfied. “Shelter” does take its time before progressing to the “fun stuff,” but once it gets there, the movie finds its footing. With constantly moving camerawork and snappy editing, “Shelter” makes its fight sequences feel grounded. It’s not all gunfire, either. In classic Statham fashion, there’s plenty of hand-to-hand combat, delivered in varied and inventive ways.
“Shelter” is also surprisingly beautiful. Cinematographer Martin Ahlgren captures the Irish locations well. Crashing waves, vast terrain and small coastal towns are all integrated effectively into the film’s identity.
Director Ric Roman Waugh succeeds in making a crowd-pleasing action movie. Where the film struggles, however, is in developing a cohesive story.
“Shelter” fails to make its protagonist fully compelling. Nearly void of emotion, it’s difficult to root for a “hero” who rarely reacts to the consequences around him. Even as innocent bystanders die, the movie refuses to pause. There is one exception — Bodhi Rae Breathnach’s Jesse. She becomes the emotional heartbeat of the film, grounding it time and time again. Without Breathnach’s dramatic delivery, “Shelter” may have completely collapsed under its own weight. A strong supporting cast, including Naomi Ackie, Bill Nighy and Daniel Mays, also elevates the material.
Still, the feeling of “been there, done that” lingers. “Shelter” can’t escape Statham action fatigue, nor can it avoid repetitive story beats. This is felt throughout the 107-minute runtime.
“Shelter” is yet another Jason Statham action movie. This one, at least, tries to distinguish itself. There’s solid action, striking visuals and even a little heart. It doesn’t defy expectations, but it’s enjoyable for what it is.
Rating: 3 out of 5
