Survivor

Stars: Milla Jovovich, Pierce Brosnan, Dylan McDermott, Angela Bassett, Robert Forster, James D'Arcy, Roger Rees, Frances de la Tour, Benno Furmann

Director: James McTeigue

In a week that sees Jude Law (in a becoming hairpiece) sending up 007 in Spy, its somewhat sad to see Pierce Brosnan, once cinemas most suave James Bond, looking his age, scowling and saying little (who could blame him?) but turning nasty as the villain of this noisy high-action, low-IQ spy story.

The moderately intriguing if ultimately unfulfilled action-packed opening sequence soon segues into a storyline with even less sincerity than a star faced with promoting what he/she knows to be a fully stuffed celluloid turkey.

To give director James McTeigue his due, he is patently well aware of the serial-style narrative served up by screenwriter Philip Shelby and sensibly concentrates on moving the story along as fast as possible and filling it with action and suspense, lavish spectacle sequences and (particularly for American audiences?) effective location shooting in London.

Milla Jovovich commits to her action-woman role with eminent energy and, for a change, ends up battling human enemies rather than zombies. US State Department high-flyer Jovovich arrives in London to work at the American Embassy, only to end up on the run after being framed for a bomb attack in London.

And, after scads of admittedly adrenaline-rousing action, she saves New York from Brosnans planned terrorist outrage by exploding a bomb in crowded Times Square on New Years Eve

A competent if largely wasted roster of supporting actors, including Angela Bassett, Emma Thompson, Frances de la Tour and Robert Forster, do what is asked of them, leaving Jovovich to fill in the gaps between the brisk if mindless action.

Alan Frank

USA/UK 2015. UK Distributor: Lionsgate. Colour.
92 minutes. Widescreen. UK certificate: 12A.

Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 1, Violence/Horror 2, Drugs 0, Swearing 1.

Review date: 03 Jun 2015