By Steve Crum

Samaritan makes for a just vehicle when it comes to an aging (76 year-old) action movie star. Did someone say Sylvester Stallone? He perfectly fits the proverbial bill. (Sly also co-produced Samaritan.) Here is a superhero story told from the point of view of a 13 year-old boy who has idolized a superhero who has actually lived. The boy, Sam Cleary, is well played by Javon “Wanna” Walton. 

Specifically, Sam lives in Granite City (?) wherein decades back, the legendary Samaritan repeatedly clashed with his villainous twin brother, Nemesis. Their climactic battle was catastrophic with both siblings killed. 

This “dark take on superhero movies” is based on the book Samaritan by Bragi Schut, Marc Olivent and Renzo Podesta. Director Julius Avery has fashioned the setting in a seedy part of a large, fictitious city. (NOTE: Superman had Metropolis, Batman—Gotham, and so on.) 

The first third of the 101-minute film centers on Sam as he frets over helping his nearly destitute single mom with finances. In desperation, he accepts a job assisting gang leader Reza (Moises Arias). Soon the boy get personal attention from Reza’s boss, Chris (Pilou Asbaek). Complications arise, triggering Reza to attack Sam. 

Enter Joe Smith (Stallone), the local garbage collector living alone in a modest high rise. Turns out Joe, who wears a hoodie in public, has been spying on Sam from his window for some time. Guess how he reacts when sees Sam physically threatened. Yep, the old recluse comes to the rescue with seemingly super strength. The boy, now safe, recognizes the elder’s power as his long sought Samaritan—which Joe denies. The two bond, reluctantly on Joe’s part. Nonetheless, the rest of the movie is filled with Joe’s keeping Sam safe from gangsters. 

Stallone pulls off the ruse believably enough that the climactic, action-jammed conclusion has its breathtaking moments. 

Special effects are quite good with dazzling pyrotechnics in big time display—a lot of finale explosions and fires. An earlier display of Stallone’s character literally readjusting his twisted limbs is impressive, but would be even more so if Netflix’s Stranger Things had not already essentially included the wowser visual. 

Despite a surprise switch ending, it is doubtful Samaritan will ever prompt a sequel. 

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GRADE on an A-F Scale: C