Protector Review: Milla Jovovich’s Action Skills Can Only Carry This Taken Replacement So Far

by

Milla Jovovich first hinted at her action movie talent almost 30 years ago in The Fifth Element, and she hasn’t stopped since. She’s led the six-film Resident Evil series directed by her husband, starred alongside Pierce Brosnan in the thriller Survivor, and even starred in and helped produce the film adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s In the Lost Lands. She continues to be a prominent figure in action cinema.

Protector starts strong for Milla Jovovich, placing her in a familiar action hero role – similar to Liam Neeson in the Taken movies – where she single-handedly fights off anyone threatening her family. However, beyond a few interesting ideas, especially in the ending, the movie doesn’t really stand out from other films in the same genre.

Jovovich’s Protector Moves At A Brisk Pace While Forgetting To Deliver Any Thrills

Milla Jovovich stars as Nikki in Protector, a skilled soldier who has been stationed in the Middle East and distanced from her family—her husband, Paul, and daughter, Chloe. When Paul receives a leukemia diagnosis, Nikki returns home to care for Chloe, who is now a teenager, and tries to leave her dangerous past behind for a peaceful life.

Everything changed for them when, on Chloe’s sixteenth birthday, she had a fight with her mother and went to a party. There, someone slipped a drug into her drink, and she was abducted by human traffickers. Knowing that time was critical – the chances of finding Chloe diminished significantly after 72 hours – Nikki began a desperate rescue mission. Her search left a wake of violence, attracting the attention of both the police and the dangerous people who took her daughter.

The new film, Protector, directed by first-time writer Bong-Seob Mun and Adrian Grünberg (known for Rambo: Last Blood), doesn’t try to hide its familiar story elements. The script quickly establishes the emotional connection between the characters Nikki and Chloe, and repeatedly warns the audience about the danger Nikki poses, following a predictable pattern.

Despite its flaws, Protector deserves credit for quickly jumping into the action, with a major set piece happening within the first 20 minutes and a consistently fast pace afterward. The fight scenes also distinguish Jovovich’s character from Liam Neeson’s in Taken by portraying her as vulnerable and realistically challenged. She’s not an invincible warrior; she gets hurt, nearly loses fights, and proves her skill through struggle.

Despite a fast-paced start, the movie Protector has some odd pacing issues. It repeatedly points out the story unfolds over 72 hours, yet often jumps ahead in time without much explanation. A particularly noticeable example is an action scene that’s never actually shown, and which was built up to demonstrate the protagonist’s abilities – skipping it feels like a missed opportunity.

The film’s direction by Grünberg unfortunately clashes with its classic roots. Protector feels both excessively dramatic and visually bland. The movie is often washed out and dark, which obscures the well-executed fight scenes. Unnecessary zooms and slow-motion effects, reminiscent of the filmmaker and cinematographer Vernon Nobles Jr.’s work on Rambo: Last Blood, feel forced and don’t quite fit the overall style.

Despite its flaws, Protector benefits from a clever twist ending. The filmmakers subtly hint at the reveal throughout the movie, encouraging viewers to rewatch and look for additional clues. This twist also distinguishes the film from typical kidnapping thrillers and creates opportunities for a unique sequel.

Despite offering a blend of new and old ideas, Protector doesn’t quite manage to distinguish itself. Milla Jovovich delivers a solid performance as an action hero and convincingly portrays a stressed parent, and the fight scenes are well done. However, a weak script and unremarkable supporting actors ultimately make the film disappointing.

Protector hits theaters on March 6.

Read More

2026-03-05 20:08