Quick Info
"Safe" is one of those Jason Statham action flicks from the early 2010s that flew under the radar but has a little more punch than most people expect. The story centers on Statham’s character, a former cage fighter whose life is in a mess until he stumbles upon a young girl on the run from both the Triads and corrupt NYPD officers. It’s classic man-on-a-mission territory, but the plot gets a bit of traction from the unlikely bond that builds between the bruised hero and the genius kid.
What really works here is the pacing. It never drags or gets too muddled in exposition. The action is rapid-fire and decently shot, with some inventive shootouts in cramped New York apartments and bustling subways. There’s a certain punchiness to the fight choreography, and the film keeps doubling down on its stakes—just when you think Statham has fought his way out, there’s another obstacle right around the corner.
On the flip side, the villains are pretty one-note. You’ve got your standard-issue Russian mobsters, Chinese gangsters, and crooked cops, but none of them really stick out. The dialogue can also feel a touch generic at times, and I wish the movie gave its supporting cast more room to breathe. That said, the little girl (played by Catherine Chan) brings some real heart to the story—her chemistry with Statham is honestly the biggest surprise in the film.
Visually, "Safe" sticks to a gritty, blue-tinged palette that fits the hard-edged streets of New York. The cinematography isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s slick enough to keep everything coherent during the chaotic gunfights and chases. Director Boaz Yakin manages to keep things tight, with just enough visual clarity and energy to make everything feel urgent and lived-in.
You would enjoy this if you like your action movies a little off the beaten path with a bare-knuckle hero and nonstop momentum—think something between Transporter and Man on Fire, but less glossy and more street-level. It’s not a genre-redefining classic, but it’s a solid watch for a Friday night when you just want to see Jason Statham clean house.
