Quiz: How many generic Jason Statham action movies can you name?
Homefront is the latest in a long line of painfully indistinguishable action vehicles for the star
I like Jason Statham, who stars in today's new release Homefront. He's fun in supporting roles in movies like Snatch or The Italian Job, or even the occasional leading role in something like Crank: High Voltage, which basically treats his body as a vehicle for ridiculously over-the-top punishment.
But Jason Statham also has a bad movie problem. Over the past decade, he's starred in a string of painfully generic action blockbusters with titles like Chaos or Safe or Redemption or, yes, Homefront — and they're all virtually indistinguishable from one another.
Don't believe me? Take the Jason Statham quiz, and see how many you can name:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
1. An elite hit man decides to mentor the son of one of his victims.
A. Homefront (2013)
B. The Mechanic (2011)
C. Killer Elite (2011)
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
D. War (2007)
2. A London cop hunts down a serial killer who's been targeting police officers.
A. Redemption (2013)
B. Safe (2012)
C. Parker (2013)
D. Blitz (2011)
3. An ex-Special Forces officer assumes the identity of another man and takes on a human trafficker.
A. Redemption (2013)
B. Chaos (2005)
C. Killer Elite (2011)
D. Homefront (2013)
4. An ex-DEA agent moves his family to a small town and takes on a local drug lord.
A. War (2007)
B. Safe (2012)
C. Homefront (2013)
D. Parker (2013)
5. A world-class thief seeks revenge on the crew that betrayed him during their last heist.
A. Parker (2013)
B. Blitz (2011)
C. The Bank Job (2008)
D. Chaos (2005)
6. An ex-SAS member seeks revenge on the three assassins who kidnapped his mentor.
A. Homefront (2013)
B. The Mechanic (2011)
C. Killer Elite (2011)
D. War (2007)
7. An FBI agent seeks revenge on the assassin who killed his partner.
A. Blitz (2011)
B. Killer Elite (2011)
C. War (2007)
D. Redemption (2013)
8. An ex-cage fighter tries to protect a girl wanted by both mobsters and corrupt NYPD officers.
A. The Mechanic (2011)
B. War (2007)
C. Parker (2013)
D. Safe (2012)
9. An experienced cop teams up with a new partner in an attempt to track down a famed bank robber.
A. The Bank Job (2008)
B. Chaos (2005)
C. Redemption (2013)
D. Blitz (2011)
10. A man assembles a heist crew in an attempt to steal millions from a bank on London's Baker Street.
A. Safe (2012)
B. Parker (2013)
C. The Bank Job (2008)
D. The Mechanic (2011)
………………………………………………………………………………
ANSWER KEY:
1. B (The Mechanic)
2. D (Blitz)
3. A (Redemption)
4. C (Homefront)
5. A (Parker)
6. C (Killer Elite)
7. C (War)
8. D (Safe)
9. B (Chaos)
10. A (The Bank Job)
Scott Meslow is the entertainment editor for TheWeek.com. He has written about film and television at publications including The Atlantic, POLITICO Magazine, and Vulture.
-
Movies to watch in November, from 'Wicked' to 'Gladiator II'
The Week Recommends A major musical adaptation, a Roman Empire sequel and a movie where Santa gets kidnapped
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Where does Elon Musk go from here?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION After gambling big on Donald Trump's reelection bid, the world's wealthiest man is poised to become even more powerful — and controversial — than ever
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Usha Vance: a political spouse with a 'conspicuous resume'
In the Spotlight The new second lady plays a behind-the-scenes role
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published