The Protégé

She plays a mercenary taken under the wing of Samuel L Jackson who found her as a child. And is like a second father to her. But now that she tries to separate her violent life to that of a "meek" but smart book store owner in London UK As she tries to find out that due to her mercenary job that people try to attack on those she loves and knowing these heartless assassins will not stop until she is put six feet under. And needs to get to them before they get to her and her loved ones. Movie is full of a bit surprises and that over in helping out in Samuel L Jackson and Michael Keaton as support. Maggie Q can kick butt and act!

There are some good action sequences in this Maggie Q vehicle that shows off her chops as a movie action star and her beauty. Unfortunately the story and script are rather generic, and the director hasn't made the best use of the exotic locations, with most of the film having a sound-stage feel. Michael Keaton is a great actor, but I found the casting of a 70-year-old white male actor as the love interest of a 40-year-old Asian woman very off. Hope Maggie Q gets the material she deserves one day.

None of Hollywood's recent 'female assassin' movies have been perfect but THE PROTEGE has more promise than others I've seen like KATE and GUNPOWDER MILKSHAKE. While the story is nothing special - too cliched, too derivative, and most importantly missing almost entirely a satisfying climax - director Martin Campbell, of CASINO ROYALE fame, really lifts things to give them a sheen of quality that makes this a nice-looking, easygoing film. Maggie Q's acting has improved over the years since I first saw her in NAKED WEAPON, and Michael Keaton is always entertaining these days. A little lacking on the action front, but that which does take place is satisfyingly violent.