I don’t know why I was expecting more but I was.  It’s hard to deny Statham’s potential as not just an action star, but a thriller/action/doesn’t-rely-on-tons-of-explosions male lead.  He can do this.  See his 2008 flick The Bank Job.  The Mechanic leans a little too close to the Nicholas Cage / John Travolta eye roller Face Off.

It’s not Statham’s fault though.  He’s easily the best part of the film.  Yes it’s his standard character.  His filmography is like the AC/DC catalogue.  Low on range, high on testosterone awesomeness.  The Mechanic hiccups w/ the ridiculous body count, Ben Foster’s character, and oddities like Statham using Ask.com in a blatant product placement to research an enemy.  Assassins Ask Jeeves?

It has moments but they’re too few.  Wait for it on Netflix for a slow weekend evening.  During which you might be wearing something like Statham’s rough but upgraded casual wardrobe.  Here’s a few affordable alternatives…
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The Coat:  J. Crew Wool University Coat – $129.99 (reg. $235)

Close but not quite identical, the coat Statham wears in the movie doesn’t have flap front pockets and instead has more of a mock neck.  But between the single breasted front and mid to upper thigh length, it’s plenty close.  Especially when it’s on sale for $130.  Careful though, it’s final sale.  So no returns.
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The Sweater:  Farrah Coppard Shawl Collar – $129.99 (reg. $190)

Big knit, dark toggles, thick and wide shawl collar.  This thing commands more of a presence in the movie than the one female co-star.  Similar sweaters are pricey.  This one via Urban Outfitters is close, with another similar option coming from  J. Crew.  Toggle-less is far and away the cheapest thanks to this $35 version from L.E.C.
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The Long Sleeve:  Calvin Klein Waffle Knit Thermal – $31.20 ($39.00)

Looks like assassins like their thick boxy knits.  When you have a neck and traps like Jason Statham, what usually passes for something resembling long underwear can look plenty good.  The Calvin Klein version, although expensive, has raglan sleeves and a more updated looking fit.  Now go do some pull-ups.
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The Sunglasses:  Cole Haan C704 – $135.00

Tough to find alternatives for the movie version.  These guys over here seem to think they’re $400 and made by a company called IC! berlin.  They drop deep, are incredibly squared off, have minimal framing, and come straight back through the earpiece.  Gradient lenses too.  Like some sort of Sarah Palin Eyewear / Blu blocker hybrid.  The Cole Haans are kinda (okay, not really) close.  Why don’t you just go with these instead?

Would you wear any of it?  Or would you rather go with something like Statham’s peak lapel suit he wore to the premier?  Leave your pick in the comments section below…

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If you’re bald, losing your hair, or know it’s going to inevitably happen to you one day… take a cue from Jason Statham:  Buzz it short, grow some stubble, buy some great suits, and carry yourself well.

Do that and you’ll look 10-times better than your full mane counterparts.

In The Bank Job Statham and his buzzed head plays another character that’s right in his wheelhouse.  A tough, smart, bad ass criminal who still maintains an undeniable likability that makes you WANT him to break the law.

This time Statham and his band of merry thieves head after a bank vault full of safety deposit boxes.  It’s not a job they’d normally try and pull, but they’ve got inside info on how easy it could be.  Turns out the inside information comes with a price, because the people in the know want the contents of one box in that vault.

Directed by the man who wrote and directed Anthony Hopkins in the under-rated and far under-viewed “The World’s Fastest Indian,” Statham and the supporting cast execute a crisp, cool movie for people who love crime and heist flicks, and won’t think it detracts from the film if not everyone makes it out unscathed.