The Hitman's Bodyguard (2017) ***1/2

Competing for 2017's Worst Title award is “The Hitman's Bodyguard,” an action-comedy buddy-pic about a couple of badasses. Ryan Reynolds plays Michael Bryce, a high-end executive bodyguard whose career takes a dive after one of his clients takes a bullet. He gets a chance to redeem himself by protecting Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson), a professional hitman set to provide evidence at the Hague against a ruthless dictator guilty of war crimes. Naturally, the dictator would rather not face justice for his crimes, so he sends a pack of mercenaries to kill Kincaid and complicate Bryce's job.

“The Hitman's Bodyguard” isn't exactly going to provide you with a lot of food for thought. It's about blowing things up, shooting people, and making you laugh, and it does those things reasonably well. Jackson and Reynolds have good chemistry, and Salma Hayek lights up the screen as Kincaid's wife. Elodie Yung, who plays Bryce's love interest, isn't very interesting, but fortunately she isn't on-screen a lot. Otherwise, the action sequences are good, and the story hums right along. It's an enjoyable action comedy.

Success in the movie business has little to do with how good a film actually is. This film made money, which automatically means there has to be a sequel. In Hollywood's typical, subtle fashion, the sequel to this one is tentatively titled “The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard.” If that title sticks, then at least “The Hitman's Bodyguard” won't seem like the dumbest movie title ever anymore.

3.5 stars out of 5