We're currently in a renaissance for the bare bones action flick that we all grew up with and love so very well. In "The Package" we boil it down the essential ingredients for an effective action flick.
Starring Dolph Lundgren & Steve Austin
Directed by Jesse V. Johnson
In "The Package" we meet combat veteran Tommy Wick (Austin) a night club bouncer and enforcer for a Seattle mob boss. 'The German' (Lundgren) is an international crime lord and a cold hearted killing machine. However when Wick is asked to courier a mysterious package to 'The German', he'll suddenly find himself on the run from relentless teams of hit men, mercenaries and assassins. Time is running out and the bodies are piling up. For these two men who don't like each other very much, the act of retaliation is about to get a whole new definition.
A fair amount of directorial talent is starting to come out of stunt department ranks. Jesse V. Johnson is a veteran of the straight to video far, and "The Package" comes through in most departments hitting the necessary bullet points for a revenge style action thriller and doesn't come across as budget keeping any visual effects to a bare minimum and simply lets the ass kicking tell the story. The script from writer Derek Kolstad is lean and mean and plays to both stars strengths as the story develops and points to the filmmakers for actually setting the story where they shot it for the most part, not trying to have Vancouver double for New York or something ridiculous. The movie works at efficient clip thanks to some solid material and a couple of stars who know how to work with what they are being given.
Steve Austin is carving out a nice little niche for himself as a bad ass action star, and works through the story with a growl and a thousand yard stare. The more films he does he is getting at easy with blending the character work along with the physical stunt work. Lundgren is a veteran hand at the action game, an plays the menacing bad guy with ease and aplomb as build towards the ultimate showdown between Austin and Lundgren.
The picture and sound quality on the Blu-Ray are solid, but there are no special features.
When all is said and done; "The Package" is a solid little action yarn. While hardly a game changer, if you're in the mood for some good old fashion action movie violence then this will easily fit the bill.
3 out of 5 stars.
"The Package" is now available to rent on DVD & Blu-Ray at video stores all across the land; you can also find it for purchase at all major retailers.
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