The Punisher meets Memento —
Too bad all the theaters are closed. But you can buy it on March 24 for home viewing.
Vin Diesel stars as a marine brought back as a superhuman killing machine in Bloodshot.
Vin Diesel is having some rotten luck, professionally. First, mounting fears over the coronavirus led Universal to bump the much-anticipated Fast and Furious 9 until next year. Initially slated for an April 2019 release, it was rescheduled to make room for the 2019 spinoff film, Hobbs and Shaw, so an additional delay is extra frustration for franchise fans.
Then, the global pandemic helped sink the box office for the actor’s star turn in the superhero action thriller Bloodshot, based on the Valiant Comics character of the same name. Along with The Hunt, the film debuted in theaters last weekend just as everything was shutting down nationwide, grossing around $11.5 million against a $45 million budget. It won’t get a second weekend at all. And that’s too bad, because Bloodshot is just the kind of escapist fare we could all use right about now.
Fortunately, Deadline reports that Columbia Pictures will release the film for electronic sell-through (as opposed to VOD) on March 24, 2020. Per a statement from Tom Rothman, chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Motion Picture Group:
“Sony Pictures is firmly committed to theatrical exhibition and we support windowing. This is a unique and exceedingly rare circumstance where theaters have been required to close nationwide for the greater good and Bloodshot is abruptly unavailable in any medium. Audiences will now have the chance to own Bloodshot right away and see it at home, where we are all spending more time. We are confident that — like other businesses hit hard by the virus — movie theaters will bounce back strongly, and we will be there to support them.”
(Some spoilers below, but nothing that’s not in the trailer.)
The character of Bloodshot is the creation of Kevin VanHook, Don Perlin, and Bob Layton in 1992, and the superhero is part of Valiant Comics’ shared universe. In the comics, his original name was Angelo Mortalli, a former solider whose blood has been infused with tiny nanobots, called “nanites.” This gives him extraordinary regenerative healing powers, as well as superior strength and the ability to shape-shift and easily interface with technology. He becomes the ultimate killing machine. The infusion process wipes out his memories, however, and Bloodshot is on a mission to recover his memories to discover who he really is—and to take revenge on those who did this to him.
-
Vin Diesel stars as Ray Garrison, who becomes the titular Bloodshot.
YouTube/Sony Pictures -
A happy memory.
YouTube/Sony Pictures -
A dangerous mission.
YouTube/Sony Pictures -
Ray is revived as a technologically enhanced super soldier after being killed in action.
YouTube/Sony Pictures -
Dr. Emil Harting (Guy Pearce) is the genius behind Ray’s resurrection.
YouTube/Sony Pictures -
Ray’s entire bloodstream is now just composed of nanobots (“nanites”).
YouTube/Sony Pictures -
A close-up of the nanites.
YouTube/Sony Pictures -
Fellow revived soldier KT (Eiza Gonzalez) is also beholden to Dr. Harting.
YouTube/Sony Pictures -
A trigger unleashes Ray’s memory of the man who killed his wife.
YouTube/Sony Pictures -
Hellbent on revenge and practically unkillable thanks to all those self-healing nanites.
YouTube/Sony Pictures -
Ray discovers Harting has manipulated him with false memories to kill several targets, rebooting him after each kill.
YouTube/Sony Pictures -
A tense confrontation.
YouTube/Sony Pictures -
Ray finds an ally in Wilfred Wigans (Lamorne Morris).
YouTube/Sony Pictures -
He finds a nemesis in fellow super soldier Jimmy Dalton (Sam Heughan).
YouTube/Sony Pictures -
Mano vs equally enhanced mano.
YouTube/Sony Pictures -
The special effects with the nanites are terrific.
YouTube/Sony Pictures
The film adaptation marks the directorial debut of David S.F. Wilson, and Jared Leto was originally considered for the lead, before the studio settled on Diesel. (Leto will be starring in Morpheus later this year—coronavirus willing—and honestly seems to be a better fit for that role.) Per the official synopsis:
After he and his wife are suddenly assassinated, Marine Ray Garrison (Vin Diesel) is brought back to life by a team of scientists. Enhanced with nanotechnology, he becomes a superhuman, biotech killing machine—Bloodshot. As Ray first trains with fellow super-soldiers, he struggles to recall anything from his previous years. But when his memories flood back and he remembers the man that killed both him and his wife, he breaks out of the facility hellbent on revenge, only to discover that there’s more between what he originally feels and a conspiracy.
The twist—revealed in the trailer—is that the man who resurrected him, Dr. Emil Harting (Guy Pearce) is deliberately wiping Ray’s memories after each mission and rebooting him with false ones, the better to manipulate him into killing specific targets (mostly former colleagues who tried to leave the company over ethical qualms). Think The Punisher meets Memento. Ray manages to escape and finds an ally in tech wiz Wilfred Wigans, played by Lamorne Morris, who provides some much-needed comic relief. And of course, Bloodshot must eventually fight to the death against fellow super solider Jimmy Dalton (Sam Heughan, almost unrecognizable from the Outlander heart-throb role that made him famous).
Is Bloodshot a perfect film? Far from it, particularly in this cinematic golden age of superhero movies. There’s nothing here we haven’t seen before, no new twist or angle to make the story fresh. The plot is predictable, the fight scenes are fairly routine, and the beats follow the well-trodden superhero movie formula to a fault. But it’s a solidly competent addition to the genre, and the visual effects with the nanites are pretty spectacular. Plenty of first-time directors have done far worse on their freshman outing, so kudos to Wilson for giving us an entertaining escape as we hunker down to beat back a pandemic.
Listing image by YouTube/Sony Pictures
510253 335869When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new feedback are added- checkbox and now every time a remark is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any approach youll be able to remove me from that service? Thanks! 6066
561650 683374Appreciate it for helping out, superb information. 186170
746296 772542How much of an appealing guide, keep on generating better half 753209
35127 395675This really is really intriguing, Ill look at your other posts! 217146
135827 22634This internet website is really a walk-through for all with the info you wanted about this and didnt know who to ask. Glimpse here, and youll surely discover it. 723001
683052 485544Excellent blog here! Also your site so much up fast! 423876
946657 906317The electronic cigarette uses a battery and a small heating component the vaporize the e-liquid. This vapor can then be inhaled and exhaled 189207
485099 138273dress shops that offer discounts are really common in our place and i always shop at them,. 604594
566023 334783I conceive this web website has got some extremely exceptional information for everyone : D. 437520
275051 67935Aw, this became an incredibly good post. In idea I would like to set up writing like that additionally – taking time and actual effort to produce a great article but what / points I say I procrastinate alot via no means appear to get something completed. 412744
146931 980550A actually interesting examine, I may possibly not concur totally, but you do make some extremely valid points. 237780
908913 732182I dont leave plenty of comments on lots of blogs each week but i felt i had to here. Do you need to have several drafts to make a post? 759993
398590 858739I discovered your weblog internet site on google and appearance a few of your early posts. Keep up the excellent operate. I basically extra the RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Searching for forward to reading a lot more on your part later on! 6255
732311 200859Fantastic write-up mate, keep the great work, just shared this with ma friendz 801583
466520 268940How considerably of an distinctive write-up, maintain on posting much better half 139717
732114 547531This is how to get your foot in the door. 143730
792823 859891I just added this blog to my rss reader, exceptional stuff. I like your writing style. 302240
721816 236903Spot on with this write-up, I genuinely suppose this website needs a lot far more consideration. probably be once a lot more to learn way much more, thanks for that info. 384133
298903 507483you can have a wonderful weblog here! would you wish to make some invite posts on my weblog? 519065
413862 117498Actually your creative writing skills has encouraged me to get my own blog now. Actually the blogging is spreading its wings rapidly. Your write up is a great example of it. 983711
744180 890078Normally I do not read post on blogs, even so I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to look at and do so! Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thanks, extremely excellent post. 567882
986368 790513I was examining some of your content material on this internet internet site and I believe this website is rattling instructive! Keep putting up. 438138
104000 925451This internet internet site is really a walk-through for all of the info you wanted about this and didnt know who to ask. Glimpse here, and youll definitely discover it. 269536
408485 822333When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new feedback are added- checkbox and now every time a remark is added I get four emails with exactly the same comment. Is there any approach you will be able to remove me from that service? Thanks! 189342
594401 594064Get started with wales ahead practically every planking. Ones wales truly are a compilation of huge planks one particular depth advisors surely may be the identical towards the entire hull planking even so with even bigger density to successfully thrust outward beyond the planking. planking 996926
971797 864253Real amazing information can be identified on web weblog . 669692
759372 909585Hi, you used to write excellent articles, but the last several posts have been kinda boring I miss your super writing. Past several posts are just slightly out of track! 897157
891799 826135Discover how to deal together with your domain get in touch with details and registration. Realize domain namelocking and Exclusive domain name Registration. 725050
389951 934235Its wonderful as your other posts : D, appreciate it for putting up. 829623
916677 235134I discovered your weblog post internet site on the search engines and appearance several of your early posts. Always preserve the top notch operate. I additional the Feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading much much more on your part down the line! 178838
692588 870752I undoubtedly did not realize that. Learnt something new today! Thanks for that. 52003
787437 576336bmmzyfixtirh cheapest phentermine zero health expert prescribed qrdzoumve buy phentermine diet pill iixqnjouukkebr 478815
857993 805791Wow! This can be one certain with the most useful blogs We have ever arrive across on this topic. Really Excellent. Im also an expert in this topic so I can understand your hard function. 429199
801043 754614Thank you for your style connected with motive though this information is certain place a new damper within the sale with tinfoil hats. 603238
104870 147156I like this weblog so a lot, saved to fav. 584696
744062 774105You made some great points there. I did a search on the subject and identified a lot of people will agree with your weblog. 691365
917381 137806I like this internet site quite considerably so considerably superb details. 379459
820696 875020I like this web internet site really a lot, Its a genuinely good billet to read and obtain information . 468229
547540 821872Hiya! awesome blog! I happen to be a daily visitor to your internet site (somewhat more like addict ) of this site. Just wanted to say I appreciate your blogs and am searching forward for a lot more to come! 820979
774946 965457Spot on with this write-up, I need to say i believe this exceptional website needs a lot more consideration. Ill probably be once once more to learn a fantastic deal a lot more, a lot of thanks that information. 348665
799550 275031Really good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that Ive truly enjoyed surfing about your weblog posts. Following all I will probably be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write once more quite soon! 765191
744201 486715I believe this internet site has some rattling fantastic information for everyone : D. 560750
657730 122020I truly enjoy examining on this web site , it has very good content . 216627