The Hitman's Bodyguard - Good, but could have been better

There are some films that shouldn't work and yet do.  And there are those films that have everything going for them and yet don't work.  I wouldn't say that 'The Hitman's Bodyguard' falls into the latter, but it certainly should have been better than it was.  First of all, I love both Samuel L Jackson and Ryan Reynolds (who doesn't these days?) and, based on my equal love of Marvel movies, couldn't wait to see 'Deadpool' interact with 'Nick Fury.' And interact they do.  In fact, the film basically splits between the two of them bickering (yes, in quite a humorous manner) to one chase/action sequence and then 'rinse and repeat.'

I just felt that Samuel L Jackson was effectively playing Samuel L Jackson and Ryan Reynolds was effectively playing Ryan Reynolds.  Now, I didn't mind that.  The action was well done and the jokes land, so you could say' 'What more do you want?' Well, not much I guess - I just felt that if the film had been given something (no, I don't actually know what) extra then it would have raised it from a reasonable action flick so something truly great.

Ryan Reynolds plays the 'disgraced' bodyguard who has to look after Samuel L Jackson's hitman and escort him to a trial in order to give evidence on a notorious war criminal (Gary Oldman).  Now, if you're thinking back to Gary Oldman's numerous excellent performances and how he can totally hold his own as a villain, don't hold your breath.  He's hardly in it.  The fact that he's in prison means he doesn't really have the opportunity to interact with our heroes.  The other - vaguely notable - characters are the two stars' women, Samuel L Jackson's being Salma Hayek and Ryan Reynolds' being Elodie Yung and - again - they're barely in it.  Both parts could have probably been cut from the film and you wouldn't really have noticed.  It's also not short.  The action scenes come every few minutes and it's one of those films where it probably could have ended a few times before it actually does. 

Like I say, the action was fun and the dialogue snappy, so if - like me - you're a fan of one or both of the actors you'll definitely get something out of the film.  However, as much as I didn't hate it, I couldn't help be leave with the feeling that something was missing and it should/could have been even better than it was.
7/10 if I woke up on Groundhog Day and had to watch this again, I could live with that