It's been a long time since we've seen such an honest, powerful, and truly cool action movie on the big screen. "The Master" (A Working Man) is not just another action flick; it's a return to the golden standards of the genre, where the plot ruthlessly serves the action, and every punch carries physical weight.
The director's chair is occupied by the tireless David Ayer, who has already proven his mettle in the gritty "Fury" and "The Beekeeper." But the film's main highlight is the screenplay, written by Sylvester Stallone himself, based on the popular book series by Chuck Dixon about former operative Levon Cade.
And you can feel it in every scene! Here beats the very heart that once made us root for Rocky Balboa: the story of a simple working man (in this case, a former special agent, now a construction foreman) who dreams only of a quiet life and raising his daughter. But when his boss's daughter is kidnapped, Levon is forced to shake off the dust and recall his deadly skills to single-handedly carve his way through a dark criminal syndicate.
Why this film hits the mark:
Absolute dynamism and brutality:
Brutal, fast, and without unnecessary ceremony
The film is not at all ashamed of its nature.
This is not an intellectual thriller pretending to be an action movie.
It is an action movie that is proud to be an action movie.
The fights are short and brutal. The chases are dynamic. The criminals are colorful. Levon himself operates with that frightening efficiency, which has made films with Statham a genre of their own.
Moreover, the story gradually becomes more and more insane.
It all starts almost as an intimate story about a missing girl, and ends with a real immersion into the criminal world with its own rules, strange characters, and highly eccentric villains.
And there is practically no time to be bored here.
We would, however, cut about twenty minutes
The film's runtime is about 116 minutes.
And here we have our only serious complaint.
"The Master" could have been made a bit shorter.
Some episodes in the second half could easily have been trimmed, and then the film would have flown by in one breath.
Because when it picks up speed, it is beautiful.
If the creators had cut fifteen to twenty minutes, our rating could easily have been even higher.
It's been a long time since we've seen such
Perhaps that is exactly the feeling that remained after the final credits.
Not that "The Master" invents a new genre.
On the contrary.
It takes the formula of the classic male action movie with great pleasure and says: why change it at all if it still works?
This movie has something of the old Stallone films, a bit of "John Wick," a bit of "Taken," something of "The Beekeeper" itself — and a whole lot of signature Statham.
Brutal.
Imperturbable.
And extremely convincing in the role of a man who would have been better left alone.
Style and atmosphere: The film breathes the spirit of classic action movies of the 90s, but with a modern, refined aesthetic. It is a grounded, gritty, and stylish story where the hero does not deliver pompous monologues but simply and masterfully does his job in silence.
Gai's verdict:
I really liked the film! It is a bright, punchy, and emotional thrill ride that keeps you on edge from the first to the last minute.
⭐ Our rating: 8.9/10
(The only nuance: if the film were a bit shorter and without the slight dips in pace in the middle, the rating would boldly have soared even higher!) And we are really looking forward to the second part to enjoy a "good action movie."
What's next?
Good news for fans: the film's success has not gone unnoticed. "The Master 2" is already on the horizon and is tentatively scheduled for release in 2026 (with the working title featuring the subtitle Severance Pay). So the story of Levon Cade will get its logical and, judging by all accounts, even more hard-hitting continuation.
If you have been missing movies where the hero solves problems not with words but with deeds, "The Master" awaits you. Brew some tea, turn off the lights, and get ready for a powerful, pure charge of adrenaline!
🎬 Imagine Jason Statham in a dirty construction helmet and work jacket. In one hand he holds neatly rolled blueprints and a cup of hot coffee, and with the other, with icy calm, he knocks out a thug in an expensive suit without spilling a drop. A perfect illustration of how Levon Cade works: quietly, professionally, and with no room for error. 🛠️🥊
