Here’s another review of a flick we missed when it originally came out in 2021. But, it popped up on a streaming service recently and I figured it was worth a look. So, let’s dig into the review.
Concept
The Protege is about an assassin named Anna (pretty sure there has been at least one other movie about a female assassin with that name recently). We quickly learn her origin story, as she was effectively adopted by a trained assassin as a young girl in Viet Nam. He took her under his wing, taught her his craft, and the two of them have each grown wealthy by plying their trade for what we assume are governments and wealthy clients.
But, they also seem to only target ‘bad’ people. I’m not really sure if their careers could be quite as lucrative as they are in the movie, but The Protege is definitely a film that just asks audiences to go along for the ride. Don’t ask too many questions about the logic of the plot.
What’s it About?
Anna is played by Maggie Q and her mentor (Moody) is played by Samuel L. Jackson. Moody is a bit like Jackson’s character in The Hitman’s Bodyguard and its sequel. But, in The Protege, he plays more to his actual age (73) as an aging assassin, with an undefined by likely lethal illness that is slowly taking him down at the beginning of the movie.
Perhaps because of that looming date with death, Jackson decides to dig into an old assignment, and begins looking for a specific person. This search triggers major consequences for everyone involved, with a computer hacker being murdered, a hit squad attacking Anna at the antique and rare bookstore she owns when she isn’t out killing bad people, and another squad attacking Moody’s huge English mansion, killing him in the process.
Moody’s death kicks off the action for Anna to take revenge on the people behind it. This will lead her across the globe, back to Viet Nam, and open old wounds from her past. Along the way, she will meet a rival assassin (played by Michael Keaton) who sparks both a romantic interest and a deadly rivalry.
The quest for vengeance will uncover secrets about the people behind the attacks on Moody and Anna, tracing all the way back to the beginning of the story. It all culminates in a violent finale that brings closure to most of the plot lines.
The Whys
I mentioned the movie doesn’t want you to take it too seriously. I sometimes find that hard. This one rides a line where it is sometimes over-the-top silly, while also shifting into more semi-serious tones. I found that hard to navigate and couldn’t help by ask ‘why?’ multiple times during the film.
Why does Anna really fall for Michael Keaton’s character? I just didn’t buy that relationship or why it sparked so suddenly.
Why did Moody’s investigation into this past assignment even kick off this whole scenario? It kind of seems like it was all unnecessary once everything is revealed in the end.
Why are we supposed to believe some of the nonsensical action sequences in the middle of the movie? I mean, jumping off a 3 or 4 story balcony holding a firehose in one hand and then easily landing on the ground floor feels like a bad 80s action movie.
Why does Anna’s origin story with her family being murdered have anything to do with the story? Is it related to that long ago assignment of Moody’s? I don’t think so, but honestly don’t know.
Watch it or Not?
So, this isn’t a particularly good movie. That said, it’s a diverting bit of disposable entertainment for it’s just under two-hour run-time. It does have three enjoyable actors in the key roles, although Jackson feels a bit underutilized. So, should you watch it? If you like a lightweight action flick, with recognizable and talented actors (Maggie Q is also enjoyable in the role), then by all means, give it a look.
