BLOODSHOT

US, 2020, 109 minutes, Colour.
Vin Diesel, Guy Pearce, Eliza Gonzalez, Sam Heughan, Toby Kebbell, Lamorne Morris, Tallulah Riley, Siddarth Dhananjay, Johannes Hauker Johannesson.
Directed by Dave Wilson.

When audiences think of Superheroes, they tend to think of the world of DC comics or, perhaps more especially, of the Marvel Universe. Bloodshot comes from neither, but rather another comic book world, Valiant.

If you like Vin Diesel, no problem here. It is definitely a Vin Diesel vehicle, a Vin diesel entertainment. In the opening action sequences in Mombasa, Kenya, there is tough action. But, Ray, Diesel’s tough soldier, comes under suspicion, is taken with his wife, interrogation, death.

So, where can the action go?

Guy Pearce is the head of an organisation which specialises in resuscitating dead heroes. He is smoothly spoken, sounds very intelligent, very reasonable – and, of course, is a 21st-century version of Dr Frankenstein bringing to life a creature whom he wants to control. There have been other experiments and some of the henchman in the institution are the products of resuscitation. There is also K.T., Katie (Eliza Gonzalez) who assists the doctor and who is dependent on him.

But, what can be done with this kind of resuscitated soldier? Obviously, he has to go on mission, stronger, more resilient than before. It is the missions which lead to the drama, especially when the doctor is able to play on Ray’s memories, insert different memories, always centring on the violent killing of his wife which he witnessed.

In fact, there are several missions, rivals to be eliminated, all in the name of security and order.

Katie, of course, is attracted towards Ray and is becoming more disillusioned with the doctor, leading to some complications in the missions, Ray discovering that his memories are not all true. There has to be some kind of confrontation.

At the institution, there is a whiz kid with all the technology developments in the resuscitation, memories development, control. But, Katie knows another whiz kid with even more technical ability, Wigan (Lamorne Morris in an entertaining comic and serious performance).

Audiences will be looking forward to the final confrontations between Ray the doctor – and may even be looking forward to Katie, Wigan and Ray going towards the future, and sequels.

This is a superhero action show which fulfils anticipation.



1. The world of super heroes? From comic books?

2. The International atmosphere, opening in Mombasa, shifts to the United States, Hungary, London… The musical score and atmosphere?

3. The introduction to Ray, the action in Mombasa? His role as a soldier? Skills, determination?

4. He and Gina being arrested? The interrogations? The execution?

5. Ray and his coming to consciousness? Dr Harting? His skills, ambitions? Ray has a successful experiment? Resuscitated? The effect on Ray? Bewilderment? Memories?

6. Dr Harting and his associates, his previous experiments? Katie and her presence? The men and their role of working with the doctor? Sinister aspects? Eric, his character, skills, collaboration?

7. The implementation of memories? Ray and his being used, to eliminate rivals? Avenging the death of his wife? The approach to the targets, his eliminating them?

8. The return, Katie’s reaction, his response to her? The doctor and his smooth talk? The next experiment? New memories? Baris and his being the target, Ray going to him, seeing him killing his wife? Eliminating him?

9. Katie, her response to the doctor, collaborating with him, wariness about his methods? Decision to help Ray?

10. The encounter with Wigan? His skills and expertise? Links with Katie? Being dominated by the opposition to the doctor? His skills, personality, working with Ray, outwitting the doctor?

11. The confrontation, Wigan and his cheerfulness, his skills, the timing ? Katie and her collaboration? The dangers to Wigan?

12. The doctor, his henchmen, their attacking Ray, their deaths? And the death of the doctor?

13. Ray and his proper memories, the effect of his going to London and to visit Jean and discover five years had passed and she had married?

14. The future, Ray, Katie and Wigan – further adventures?