Love hurts, but this movie doesn't
Ke Huy Quan's new action movie is a fun romp in the theaters
"Love Hurts" is the newest action movie by the people who brought you "John Wick". Stunt Cordinator Jonathan Eusebio takes the director's helm with this love letter to stunt actors and stunt work everywhere.
The movie stars Ke Huy Quan as Marvin Gable, a house retailor living a peaceful life after escaping from his abusive brother. When his time in his brother's mafia is exposed to the world and an old flame reemerges, it's up to Marvin to pick up the pieces of his shattered new life and kick some ass!
This movie is extremely simple and that's what I love about it. This movie is not here to give you an Oscar-worthy experience, but a showcase of people and their skills in entertaining a large audience.
Sure, there's no substance in the plot, but the action and stunts presented in this movie made me happy enough to give it a pass. Quan pulls off some crazy moves in this movie. Some that made my jaw drop, while others made me cringe with disgust and pain.
I also liked Daniel Wu as Marvin's brother and his obsession with baseball and his brother. I just wish he was in the movie more.
This movie features a "Goonies" reunion as Ke Huy Quan and Sean Astin haven't been in a movie together since that film, so it was great to see them act together again. There was also some cleaver dialogue said by Astin's character that felt like he was talking directly to Quan and made me tear up a bit.
As for negatives, I felt like Quan's love interest Rose, played by Ariana DeBosa, was severely underdeveloped and acted more as a macguffin than an actual character.
I also felt some of the sets were cheap but I know that's because they get absolutely wrecked by the time they’re done filming the stunts. Like I said before, the story could have definitely been better.
This is a solid movie with great action! It's perfect for a quiet night with loved ones with some hot popcorn and soda. The movie is a solid 6.5/10 and is a fun movie to admire.
Carter Salley is Central Michigan Life's resident film reviewer and co-host of the popculture podcast "Raving Geeks." He is majoring in media arts.
