Bloodshot (2020 Film) Review

In an increasingly desolate Hollywood release schedule, can "Bloodshot" manage to find an audience?

After he and his wife are murdered, marine Ray Garrison is resurrected by a team of scientists through nanotech enhancements. At first, he cannot recall anything from his former life, but as his memories slowly come back, he discovers a major conspiracy surrounding his death.

Vin Diesel stars as Ray Garrison/Bloodshot. His co-stars include Eliza González as Katie/KT, Guy Pearce as Dr. Emil Harting, and Lamorne Morris as Wilfred Wiggins.

David S. F. Wilson directed "Bloodshot." Neal H. Moritz (of the "Fast & Furious" franchise), Toby Jaffe, Dinesh Shamdasani, Diesel produced the film. Jeff Wadlow and Eric Heisserer wrote the script, which is based on Kevin VanHook, Don Perlin, and Bob Layton's "Bloodshot" series. Sony Pictures Releasing distributed "Bloodshot."

Overall Thoughts

With all the - hopefully - good films getting delayed, shelved or cancelled, "Bloodshot" is here to add insult to injury. It's the tiny grain of salt or small drop of lemon juice that adds so much pain to what's already a messy year for movies, and "messy" is a relatively light description for what's happening. When asked if the upcoming "Fast 9" would be delayed - it was later delayed a whole year - Vin Diesel replied, "We need movies now more than ever." He's darn right that we need movies, but I'm just not sure it's ones like "Bloodshot."

The plot is recycled, but ultimately serviceable. It's inoffensive, but that's only because the formula used is a strong one that the filmmakers would have to badly screw up to make it atrocious, and they don't. It's "Robocop," mixed with elements of "Edge of Tomorrow" and, of course, has some of the ridiculousness of the "Fast and Furious" movies, though not nearly as much and as entertaining as those films. For a film all about choice and free will, this entire enterprise seems so slave to its formula. I wasn't necessarily bored watching the plot unfold, but I wasn't too entertained either.

Vin Diesel is his normal self here. He's got the gravelly voice, he makes an occasional outburst, and he has his usual selection of tank tops. His Ray Garrison ain't in the least bit different from his Dominic Toretto, Xander Cage, and even Shane Wolfe. The day he creates a unique, flesh-and-blood role would be quite the day, indeed. I would be upset if I wasn't already used to his shtick. You can't exactly expect that all the sudden he'd break his self-made mold with this film. Outside of Lamorne Morris's wisecracking programmer, the rest of the cast don't make an impression. Speaking of "Robocop," Guy Pearce looks like Gary Oldman from that 2014 remake. It was so distracting that I couldn't get into whatever his role as the obvious villain is.

It may be no surprise, but "Bloodshot" is based on a comic book that I have never heard of before. It seems like a decent concept for a film: a guy gets nanotech enhancements that turn him into a superhero. The film doesn't nearly do as much with its premise as it should've. Who knows, had this been more original, it might've been something special. Instead, this film plays like a wannabe superhero movie rather than an actual superhero movie. It wants to cash-in on the genre craze and so clearly wants to be part of the big leagues, but it forgets that it has to deliver something as worthy as those films to make it there.

Okay, maybe I'm being too harsh, and my current feelings aren't entirely this movie's fault. "Bloodshot" isn't the worst movie ever, but as they say, "timing is everything." On it's own, this is an average movie at best, but considering we're in the middle of a movie drought, I'm more-than annoyed that the only movies coming out are the mid-range ones. This film was one of those "I'm going to use my theater subscription pass" choices. I'd happily rather see "A Quiet Place Part II" or even "The New Mutants" over this, but it was still a fun night out with my dad and older brother. I suppose I should be grateful there are movies still coming out, but it seems like anything that looks remotely enjoyable are the ones that I may not be able to see for a few years. The fact that, in terms of movies, I have little to look forward to before my planned hiatus is thoroughly unsatisfying.

Rating: ★★

Conclusion

This has been my review of "Bloodshot." I hope you enjoyed it. Have you seen the film? If you have, share your thoughts in the comments below. Should you feel inclined, recommend a film for me to review next. I'm Dallin, your resident film fanatic, and I'll return soon with another review. Thank you for reading.