Top 5 Jason Statham Movies
Jason Statham is quite a dynamic actor. From wrestling sharks to fighting The Rock, he’s done it all. But, now he takes on his toughest assignment: being a… working man? To celebrate the release of his latest film, A Working Man (hitting cinemas nationwide on 28 March), we’ve rounded up the best Statham flicks to sink your teeth into.
The Beekeeper
The Beekeeper may have seemed like a bizarre and unassuming title, but the ‘beekeeper’ moniker is purely a codename for someone who protects a high-value target, and this 2024 entry is one of the most surprising and entertaining Statham entries on this list. In the film, Statham is a former member of the aforementioned clandestine organisation, who now hides in his new life as, well, a beekeeper (pretty on-the-nose disguise, but it works). He’s pulled back into action in a quest for vengeance after witnessing some unscrupulous actions from some high-powered individuals.
Wrath of Man
Well, the title of this Guy Richie-directed action thriller says it all. Wrath of Man follows a man out for revenge after his son is killed during a sloppy cash-in-transit heist. Mason (played by Jason Statham) then joins the armoured car company under an alias in order to find and pounce on the criminal organisation targeting the trucks, and in turn, find his son’s killer. It’s a well-put-together thriller split into four parts, highlighting the extent one would go to seek vengeance.
The Meg
The Meg was one of the underrated movies of 2018, delivering a fun, often silly, but self-aware CGI-filled shark-a-thon that had an element of dark humour. Statham plays Jonas Taylor, a rescue diver who is recruited to take on a prehistoric, colossal-sized megalodon shark. It gets pretty bonkers throughout its runtime, but it’s a great addition to the schlocky creature-feature library of films.
Crank
2006’s Crank essentially kickstarted the chaotic, fast-paced POV action genre, and showcased Statham’s unrelenting ability to hold your attention and deliver incredible scenes without taking a break. Statham plays Chev, an assassin, who is injected with a serum that is going to kill him if his adrenaline level drops. In order to save himself, Chev must find a cure while keeping his adrenaline levels in check, and seeing what he puts himself through in order to stay alive is an incredibly enjoyable watch throughout its 87-minute runtime.
Safe
Safe is arguably Statham’s most overlooked film, which sees him play an ex-MMA fighter who has to protect a young girl who has memorised a priceless numerical code that puts the Triads, the Russian mob, and corrupt NYC cops at risk. So naturally, they want her dead. What results is a sublime escort mission from Statham, with some unforgettable action scenes and a fantastic car chase sequence.
A Working Man
So, Statham has done it all: a transporter, a beekeeper, a shark-hunting marine biologist, and now he’s got his biggest job to date: a working man. Jokes aside, A Working Man doesn’t break the mould of other Statham action flicks, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. He plays Levon Cade, an ex-Royal Marines commando who leads a peaceful life as a construction worker. However, Levon is forced to use his old set of skills to find his boss’ teenage daughter Jenny, who had been kidnapped by human traffickers.
A Working Man exclusively hits South African cinemas nationwide on 28 March. Check out the trailer below:
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