The Protégé

The Protégé presents itself as a racially diverse film, and in broad strokes, that holds up.

Like Frankenheimer and Forbes before him, Campbell knows what he's doing. The Protégé may not be the director's finest hour, but that doesn't make what he's cooked up any less enjoyable.

Oscar bait, it ain't - but it's a damn good time.

For all the predictability of the film's story, the template is there for something emotionally engaging. Unfortunately, promising subplots are left unpursued, while character notes hang pointlessly in the air.

The hard-core action laced with humor and heart proves that the athletic Maggie Q merits more leading roles -- and a prequel with Jackson would be a ton of kick-ass.

A sporadically stylish, mildly unpredictable and thoroughly violent thriller where the principals seemingly endure at least as much punishment as they dish out.

The Protégé is an exhilarating movie filled with high-octane action, copious amounts of blood and gore, and a sensual undercurrent of fight-or-flirt that has not been seen on the silver screen since Campbell gifted cinema with James Bond and Vesper.

“The Protégé” makes for a palatable action movie as well as a fairly entertaining new entry into the growing assassin sub-genre.

... Precise, without excessive frills, made in old-school fashion. [Full review in Spanish]

Aside from a small selection of exciting set pieces and charismatic performances from its lead stars, audiences will be hard-pressed to find a reason to justify watching this one.