While Stratusfying millions of fans around the world in a WWE ring is now old hat for the 7-time Women’s Champion, Trish Stratus‘ latest career challenge — switching from small screen to big screen — may not exactly have the Midas touch that Trish’s projects usually have, but that’s not to say it isn’t a decent first effort.
While Bounty Hunters (on DVD in the UK today, and US and Canada on February 28th) isn’t exactly going to win any Oscars — be it for screenplay or acting — it’s a fairly inoffensive action-comedy that sees the WWE legend do what she does best: Kick ass! When all is said and done, it’s probably not going to join your Booker T-esque “fave five”, but I wouldn’t try to hawk it on eBay either.
Trish stars as Jules Taylor, one third of a bail enforcement team who find themselves in the cross hairs of a shady mob boss after capturing one of his minions with a $100,000 bounty on his head. Trying to intercept the team before they can take the felon to the police station for arraignment, said mob boss offers the crew $1,000,000, however, our bounty hunters are conscionable folk and aren’t willing to play dice. Shenanigans ensue as Tony Soprano Lite tries to make them sleep with the fishes, and it’s on!
With the movie hinging on Trish’s star power (she is the top-billed cast member and appears on the DVD artwork), I can certainly see why such a project would be an attractive one for the former WWE Diva to make her silver screen debut. Trish’s charisma and charm certainly shines through. As the Diva told us in a past interview after filming the movie, the producers really just let Trish be Trish — with a different name. As such, it’s not much of a stretch for Stratus to get into character, and much like her WWE persona, there’s plenty of witty sarcasm that dear Trish fans will instantly recognize.
And yes, Stratuspherians, you can breathe a sigh of relief: Trish’s acting isn’t the worst of the bunch; that distinction goes to the wooden Frank J. Zupancic as Jules’ boss and love interest, Ridley. The third man rounding out the bail enforcement team is Boomer Phillips, filling the obligatory role of affable funnyman Chase. There’s good chemistry between Trish and Phillips, who both have their comedic timing down, particularly when they attempt to book a room at a brothel.
Of course, if you’re watching this movie, chances are you’re not here for the dialogue or the acting. No, you’re probably here to see Trish lay the smackdown or to see her in a naughty schoolgirl outfit. (Or both?) The fight scenes are the bread and butter of Bounty Hunters, and in that regard the film delivers. Trish perhaps has the most fights of any character, a nice change from the standard testosterone-heavy fare. Fights range from a showdown in a gym, to a moving ambulance, to a back alley. Fans who’ve seen Trish in a wrestling ring will definitely get a kick out of Trish throwing down with both males and females, and even working in her signature Stratusfaction finishing move.
Though the plot is hardly ground breaking, and the dialogue cheesy, Bounty Hunters isn’t the worst wrestling-to-movie crossover. Hell, Trish makes a more appealing lead than John Cena in The Marine. If you’re a Stratus fan, you’ll definitely enjoy it, and if you’re just a fan of women kicking ass, you’ll likely enjoy it too.
Extras: Our review disc didn’t contain any special features, but there was a pretty funny gag reel running through the credits.
Rating: 2.5/5
Bounty Hunters is available on DVD in the UK from today, and in the US/Canada on February 28th.
European fans: Win 1 of 5 copies of Bounty Hunters in our exclusive competition.
Tune in to Diva Dirt Live tonight at 8pm ET for an exclusive interview with Trish. Log on right here to Diva Dirt.
