‘Wrath of Man’ is another Statham-Ritchie partnership

Above: Jason Statham stars in “Wrath of Man,” the latest Guy Ritchie film, which opens on Friday. (Photo/MGM)

Whether there would have been a Jason Statham without Guy Ritchie is a valid question.

Cast as one of the ensemble in Ritchie’s 1998 film “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels,” and then appearing two years later in Ritchie’s follow-up, “Snatch,” Statham made an immediate impact as somebody who owns the screen.

Balding, but attractively so, and muscled from his days as a competitive diver – yes, a diver – Statham went on from there to forge an impressive career as an action star. He was given a chance to carry a film by himself when cast as the lead in 2002’s “The Transporter” – a series that spawned two sequels.

And he’s been involved in a number of other blockbuster series, from those involving “The Expendables” to the “Fast and Furious” films.

Now, Statham has reteamed with Ritchie to give us “Wrath of Man,” a film about a guy – known only as “H” – on the road to avenge the death of his son. The film co-stars Josh Hartnett, Holt McCallany, Jeffrey Donavan and Andy Garcia.

“Wrath of Man” opens on Friday. Here are some critical comments (all of which are from international sources):

Jake Wilson , The Age (Australia): “At core, ‘Wrath of Man’ is a revenge story: to invest in the complications, we need to believe in the hero’s rage and the reasons behind it. But sincerity of any sort has never been Ritchie’s strength.”

Jeanmarie Tan (Singapore): “It is Statham at his most menacing and also most pained, with no deadpan one-liners in sight.”

Peter Gray , The AU Review (Australia): “Works primarily as a driving seat feature for Statham, who is wonderfully welcomed back to the forefront of star vehicles.”

So, “Wrath of Man” is not a typical Ritchie-Statham vehicle. That just might make it more interesting. Anyway, can’t wait to see.