Diablo
review by Bobby Blakey
Director Ernesto Dìaz Espinoza has already become a master of martial arts action teaming up with martial arts superstar Marko Zaror for films such as Redeemer and The Fist of the Condor to name just a couple of their many collaborations. Now they are reteaming and bringing along martial arts superstar Scott Adkins for their latest film Diablo co-starring Alanna De La Rossa. Could this be the dream team of action for the fans or will this be a failed kidnapping?
Diablo follows Kris Chaney, a warrior who seizes the daughter of a Colombian gangster to fulfill a noble promise to the young girl’s mother. When her father enlists both the criminal underworld and the terrifying psychotic killer El Corvo to exact his revenge, Kris will need to draw upon everything he has ever learned -- in and out of lockup -- to stay alive and keep his word.
I am a massive fan of both Adkins and Zaror and technically Diaz as well since I love all the martial arts films he has made. Having them team up for a project was no doubt magic in the making and ever since I heard it was going down, I have been eager to see this flick and it gave me everything I had hoped for. This isn’t the first outing of Zaror and Adkins together as they both worked on John Wick 4, Savage Dog and The Killer’s Game, but this time they are leading it and going head-to-head.
The story here is simple with just enough depth and twists to make it work. It had a Man on fire tone and vibe that worked great for these characters, but the inclusion of Zaror’s El Corvo as a unique crazed killer made it feel original. He is almost like a Bond villain complete with an interesting accessory that not only makes him stand out but made the action more interesting. The same can be said for his look that came off more like an accountant than a killer and in turn made him more terrifying.
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Adkins does a great job with his everyman persona here that is willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish what he sets out to do. There is a lot more depth to the character than I expected for this film and it makes it work more leaning into some of the revelations and action. Both carry the film to perfection, but we all know we are here to see them kick ass and they are as awesome as ever. We don’t have to wait for one big fight at the end between them, although it is there thankfully, but we get multiple face offs that are each better than the next.
These guys are masters of their craft and put everything they have into every kick and punch along with their acting performances. It could easily rely on just the action to sell it, but it works all around. They both get plenty of other action beats to entertain as well, but when they go mano e mano there is nothing better to witness. I had a great time with this flick and hope it is the first of many films with this trio involved as they have the formula for great action down to an art.
Decide for yourself and check out Diablo when it hits theaters, On Demand and digital on June 13th from Lionsgate.