Ryan Reynolds stars in a scene from the movie "The Hitman's Bodyguard." The Catholic News Service classification is O -- morally offensive. (CNS/Lionsgate)

By Catholic News Service

When a paid assassin (Samuel L. Jackson) becomes the key witness in the trial of a murderous dictator (Gary Oldman) an Interpol agent (Elodie Yung) turns to a once highly regarded but now down-on-his-luck security specialist (Ryan Reynolds) to give the killer the protection her agency has proven itself unable to provide. What she fails to reckon on is the fact that the gunman and his proposed guardian are old and bitter enemies.

Jackson mouths off and Reynolds fumes as odd-couple humor paces the mounting body count in director Patrick Hughes’ excessively mayhem-ridden action flick. Some dialogue justifying revenge only reinforces the general disregard for life underlying the proceedings.

Skewed values, constant violence with much gore, cohabitation, several uses of profanity, pervasive rough and crude language. The Catholic News Service classification is O — morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

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