Bloodshot: A Super Soldier Story Reimagined
After a grueling military operation, soldier Ray Garrison returns to his beloved Gina. Their reunion unfolds in slow-motion, complete with a sunset backdrop, reminiscent of a cheesy pop music video. They spend the evening together, and Gina gently teases Ray about his scars. In true Vin Diesel fashion, he delivers an epic line about how the origin of the scars doesn’t matter, only the story of how he made it home alive. However, this philosophical moment proves tragically short-lived, as Ray and Gina are kidnapped the following morning.
Ray awakens in a freezer surrounded by hanging pig carcasses. Suddenly, “Psycho Killer” starts playing, and the villain, Ajax (Toby Kebbell), approaches him in a bizarre, cringe-worthy dance. Ajax wants to know who leaked the information that led to Garrison’s last operation. When he realizes Ray is just a pawn, he brutally murders both Ray and Gina. Ray regains consciousness in a secret laboratory, remembering only his name and rank. Dr. Emil Harting assures him that’s all he needs to know, as he’s been transformed into the perfect, enhanced soldier – a man without a past.
Thus, Bloodshot, a superhero whose blood has been entirely replaced with nanobots that reconstruct his body, is born. When Ray begins to remember his past, he’s consumed by a burning desire for revenge. The resurrected soldier, defying his new superiors, sets out to find justice (or, more accurately, to eliminate Ajax). The premise of “Bloodshot” sounds undeniably dull: an archaic revenge story centered on a hero with an unwavering sense of duty and, unfortunately, Vin Diesel’s signature stoic expressions.
Deconstructing and Rebuilding a Superhero Trope
If the trailers hadn’t spoiled the main plot twist, “Bloodshot” might have surprised audiences with its self-awareness. The first half of the film is surprisingly self-deprecating. While the villains dance to songs about psycho killers and Vin Diesel delivers his trademark tough-guy lines, the filmmakers use these clichés to deconstruct the superhero genre. The film, initially appearing to be another predictable revenge action movie, attempts to examine the genre through a satirical lens.
This is perhaps the only thing that sets “Bloodshot” apart from other forgettable superhero action films. Ironically, after transitioning from deconstruction to plot development, the film stumbles over the very tropes it initially mocked. After making an interesting point about the naivety of revenge stories, it decides to tell… a revenge story about a principled avenger. This time, however, it’s played completely straight, with all the hallmarks of a B-movie: cartoonish CGI fights, choppy editing, and generic characters.
Lost Potential and a Glimmer of Social Commentary
In a way, “Bloodshot’s” silliness is justified by the plot. Guy Pearce’s character, witnessing Ray Garrison’s dedication to revenge, initially mocks his behavior but then expresses admiration for his unwavering commitment. Perhaps the filmmakers feel similarly, acknowledging the outdated nature of these stories but still drawn to the heroes’ selflessness and naivety. However, “Bloodshot” lacks a genuine appreciation for the genre’s history, instead opting for a soulless repetition of familiar tropes.
The only truly sincere element in “Bloodshot” is its anti-militaristic subtext. Ray Garrison is a small cog in a massive military machine, expendable and forced to become the property of a giant corporation. Technology has reduced casualties but turned soldiers into mindless cyborgs, stripping them of their free will. In the world of “Bloodshot,” technological advancement is inextricably linked to enslavement. While the message is somewhat simplistic and common in the genre, it’s a welcome surprise in a film like this.