The Baker

This action/thriller may feel familiar with elements borrowed from various sources, but its likable cast keeps things engaging with their charm and charisma. The Baker cleverly combines bits from John Wick, Aliens, and The Professional, placing the right elements in the right places to provide an enjoyable experience, even if it doesn't introduce anything groundbreaking. Perlman's portrayal as a fighter is believable, showcasing his human side with vulnerability after a fight, and his bonding with young Emma Ho's character, Delphi, is heartwarming. Keitel's portrayal of the crime lord exudes calm menace, while Koteas' Vic becomes a tragic figure. The film leaves room for a possible sequel, and with intriguing characters, that prospect seems promising.

When the movie started, I was thinking to myself that it kind of felt familiar. It was almost like somebody had binged watched some early Steven Seagal movies like Nico (1988) and Difícil de matar (1990), and then thought up this story. Wasn't bad, just a little slow. The action wasn't that bad, Ron Perlman aka The Baker, did a reasonable job portraying his character. Old school baddie, Harvey Keitel was his usual self and matched his character too. Vic (Elias Koteas) played the tortured number two. If you are expecting a movie similar to Búsqueda implacable (2008) or the fast action of Liam Neeson, you won't find it here.

Overall, a solid above average movie. I would recommend at least one watch.

The trailer made this movie look way better than it does so whoever did the trailer needs a promotion to make this movie look as good as it did. On one hand this movie was well written. The use of welders goggles. How the daughter is the way she is and it works much better than the child actor in Last Action Hero with Arnold Schwarzenegger or similar. However Ron Perlman is too old for this role I think. He still has that charisma as he brings to all his other projects but that's about it. I found he had the right look but he was out of shape. I get it he's in his 70s but I still would have cast someone else.

How the baker finds everything out is too easy, I'm not expecting riddles to be solved or any of that but the second he goes into the night club and a certain hospital scene without ruining anything they seem to have dumbed it way down. There were a few fights but not as many as I would have wanted. Thankfully no huge gun fights or anything.

I would have got the writers to work a little harder on this. Especially since no adult actors are in this I really gave a crap about. One actor from a tv series Forever and the last thing I saw Ron in that was any good was Sons Of Anarchy.

I'm a fan of Ron Pearlman. I've seen him in so many movies and love him in Sons of Anarchy. I'm glad to see him get a leading movie role, and his performance does not disappoint. The more surprising development is child actress Emma Ho somehow matching his performance, especially when much of this movie rides on her shoulders.

The Baker is mostly well-made and does a good job investing you in the characters. They add in little details, moments, and actions that may seem inconsequential to the story but make both lead characters so endearing. And it doesn't feel randomly inserted, but rather a natural part of the story and characters.

The fight scenes are the only thing holding this back from crossing the threshold between good and great; from being something I rewatch. And I don't think it's the fault of the director. I don't know how to say this without sounding mean, but Ron Pearlman is too old to perform convincing fight scenes. It's the Liam Neeson effect.

The reason I don't think it's the directors fault is a fight scene early on that doesn't involve Pearlman. It's a good scene and got me excited. When Pearlman has a fight scene, there are five cuts per second (no exaggeration) to mask the unconvincing choreography. It's hard to watch, metaphorically and literally.

In another fight scene involving Pearlman, there are no cuts for about two minutes. But the scene is intentionally shadowy and never once shows Pearlman's face. It's clearly a stunt double the entire time. And because it's so dark, it's difficult to see the fight itself. It could have been a cool one-take scene if they didn't have to film it in the dark.

I still had a good time with this movie but I doubt I'd watch it again. I think most people will enjoy it, at least mildly. It's definitely better than most streaming movie garbage. (1 viewing, opening Thursday 7/27/2023)

I don't even understand how this movie can rank below a minimum of 8 in review ratings. Ron Perlman is way underrated as the real man's man of what a strong, silent, no nonsense real hero should be. Not withstanding in this movie, a dream fantasy grandfather or father any kid would be proud to a part of that bloodline. The plot may seem straight forward predictable but it's the flow of a good movie and it's great talent that elevates this from mediocre. RP character doesn't need lots of stunt work to get the message across or work done. Guess it's his many years as a veteran artiste professional that commands an implied presence that requires no words. Like the bread that he bakes, he more than rose to the crunch. 🍞👍🙏👌😋👏🎊💐