Bullet Points: The Doorman (2020)
Die Hard in an apartment building is how I would describe The Doorman. I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy, and I am here to let you know if you should make plans to watch it this weekend.
- Plot: Ruby Rose is a retired Marine turned doorman at a swanky New York City high-rise apartment building. When thieves ambush the place looking for priceless art, it is up to Ruby to save the day while also protecting a family in the building that she has a close personal connection with. The Doorman, directed by Ryuhei Kitamura, also stars Jean Reno, Louis Mandylor, Rupert Evans and Aksel Hennie.
- Ruby as an action star: Ruby Rose holds her own in The Doorman. I wouldn’t say I’m a huge fan of Ruby, but I did like her in John Wick: Chapter 2 and xXx: Return of Xander Cage. I was interested to see how she would hold up as a lead instead of a supporting player. I’ll give her this much: Ruby is more convincing in The Doorman than Megan Fox was in Rogue. I hope Ruby continues to do action movies. I believe she will only get better with more experience. Some of her fighting is a bit sloppy, but it isn’t awful.
- The supporting players: There’s a couple of annoying kids that almost killed the movie for me. If you ignore the children, the movie isn’t that bad. What really helps is Jean Reno as the leader of the baddies, Louis Mandylor looking like a pimp as a safe cracker, and the scene stealer of The Doorman, Aksel Hennie. You might not know Aksel by name, but he has a face action fans should recognize. He’s the baddie who turns out to be the baddest of them all.
- The action: The opening is solid. It establishes Ruby as a badass. There’s a bit too much melodrama at times. I have a feeling some might get bored when there’s no action. There’s nothing spectacular about the action, but at the same time, the action doesn’t suck. The Doorman is a very middle of the road action flick.
I didn’t praise The Doorman a lot, but I do believe it is very watchable. Should you run out and buy or rent it this weekend? If you’re a super Ruby Rose fan, I think you will be pleased. If you’re an action aficionado looking for the next great action movie, you might be left a tad bit disappointed.
Bonus Bullet Points…
- Ryuhei Kitamura: The fella who directed the bonkers splatter flick Verses, the underrated as hell No One Lives and the creepy as all creepy The Midnight Meat Train is our director for The Doorman. You can say he’s a versatile director.
- Easter Sunday: This film takes place on Easter, and no one mentioned the Easter Bunny.
- Meow: If you ever wanted to see Ruby Rose save a pussycat, then The Doorman might be the movie for you.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.
