“The Debt Collector” Japanese DVD Cover
AKA: The Pay Up
Director: Jesse V. Johnson
Cast: Scott Adkins, Louis Mandylor, Vladimir Kulich, Tony Todd, Michael Paré, Rachel Brann, Selina Lo, Sean Crampton, Rachel Brann, Alexa Bondar
Running Time: 96 min.
By Paul Bramhall
There’s something undeniably satisfying about watching the collaborations of a director and star who you know work well together, and now 3 titles in (in less than 2 years), this seems to very much be the case for Jesse V. Johnson and Scott Adkins. After a rough (but redeemably entertaining) start with 2017’s Savage Dog, the pair hit their stride with the follow-up, a comic book adaptation which was a passion project for Adkins, in the form of 2018’s Accident Man. Adkins co-wrote the script for Accident Man along with Stu Small, and Small is also the co-writer for The Debt Collector, this time sharing a co-credit with Johnson himself. Could this trio be the modern-day incarnation of the Iron Triangle?
When I interviewed Adkins in January of the same year The Debt Collector was released, he explained that the script for it had been around since 2001 (under its original working title The Pay Up), but Johnson had felt it was never the right time to make it until now. This is the audiences good fortune, as Johnson’s output during the 00’s was fairly abominable, a celluloid wasteland filled with such curiosities as Mark Dacascos playing a secret alien agent, and Don ‘The Dragon’ Wilson as an electronically enhanced soldier. Indeed, sometimes it’s best not to look back. As a director, the British stuntman began to find his footing in more recent years, helming the likes of the Dolph Lundgren and Steve Austin actioner The Package, and the tragically mistreated gangster flick The Beautiful Ones.
While fans of Adkins have long held his collaborations with director Isaac Florentine on a pedestal, I daresay that if his work with Johnson continues to be of the quality reflected in both Accident Man and The Debt Collector, that pedestal may have some strong competition. In their latest collaboration Adkins plays the master of an MMA dojo in L.A., a school that’s lack of students has left him financially hard up, and facing the constant threat of a rival school pressuring him to sell up. The opening almost feels like a modern remake of a similar sequence in No Retreat, No Surrender, only instead of Jean Claude Van Damme appearing on the scene, we get Korean Australian martial artist David William No (Blindsided: The Game) and two of his lackeys. Like in Accident Man, Adkins is able to utilize his British accent, and offers to sort them out just “like a kung fu movie”, and we’re treated to fantastic 3 vs 1 brawl straight off the bat.
His money troubles lead to him being reluctantly recommended to become a debt collector for an agency run by the morally ambiguous Vladimir Kulich (Savage Dog), and he soon finds himself paired with a grizzled and world-weary alcoholic, played by Louis Mandylor (The Quest). That’s the last we hear about Adkins’ dojo, so despite The Debt Collector setting itself up as a tale of a martial arts school being saved from the clutches of the bad guys, proceedings head in a distinctively different direction. I’d speculate that the opening could well have been a modification to the original script once Adkins and his considerable martial arts talent came onboard, but whatever the reason, thankfully the dojo’s disappearing act doesn’t serve as a detriment to the plot.
Instead, we get what could best be called a 2018 version of the 90’s buddy movie, set on the sun-drenched streets of Los Angeles. This is the first time for Adkins to share equal billing with a co-star (at least, one who’s on the same side as he is), and Mandylor’s grizzled veteran collector is the perfect foil to the fresh-faced Brit. It could well be argued that the large bulk of the movie is basically a series of vignettes, with Mandylor showing Adkins the ropes as they cruise around L.A. suburbia in a gas guzzling Coupe de Ville, armed with a piece of paper listing the names and debts of those they need to visit. One of the biggest strengths of Johnson’s latest is the chemistry shared between his leads, with Adkins’ eagerness to earn some quick cash and Mandylor’s devil may care attitude providing the perfect balance.
It feels strange to dedicate part of a review for a Scott Adkins movie to his acting, but it’s worthy of mentioning that his acting in both Accident Man and here is a world apart from many of his more recent efforts. Visibly more comfortable speaking in his own distinctly British accent, his banter and delivery are enough to make you wish he’d go back and remake some of his lesser efforts as a British character, rather than an American one. However the other main character in The Debt Collector is L.A. itself, with its sticky climate, sun soaked suburban streets, and shady bars all adding a certain feel to the picture that, had it been shot anywhere else, simply wouldn’t be the same. It’s fair to say that L.A. is just as important to the final product as Adkins’ and Mandylor’s presence.
The most fun is had from watching the pairs visits to the various debtors. Armed with a scale of 1-10 to anticipate the level of violence they can expect from each visit, with 10 being the most moderate and 1 being psychotic, Mandylor views his pairing with Adkins as a chance to let someone else do the heavy lifting for a while, leaving him to tangle with various angry customers. Needless to say within the first 30 minutes, Adkins is already limping around with a bloodied face and tattered suit, having been shot at, dragged along by a moving car, and thrown through a wall. His exasperation at exactly what the job entails is palpable, and never anything less than hilarious, as it quickly becomes apparent almost everyone in L.A. has a bodyguard (who acts as a prerequisite to get through), and nobody is going to cough up without putting up a fight first.
For those clocking in for the presence of the British star, which I imagine would be many, it’s these fights with provide Adkins with his action quota for the lean 95 minute runtime. Frequent Johnson collaborator Luke LaFontaine is on fight choreography duties once more, having last worked with the pair on Savage Dog, and delivers a series of satisfyingly scrappy encounters. From a run-in with 2 burly bruisers within the confines of a small office (which includes a subtle nod to Game of Death), to a throwdown against a raging kitchenhand, the impact of every hit and blow is captured with a skilled lens. LaFontaine has done a great job at adapting Adkins style to the nature of the story, and while he comes across just as versatile and hard hitting as in his most well-known ventures, it’s a relief to see the gratuitous flying kicks have been dialled back. The fights here are brutal and effective, and it suits the tone of The Debt Collector perfectly.
Outside of the action Johnson demonstrates a keen sense of wit. Mandylor’s character, apart from being revealed to be a former amateur boxer, is also explained to be a washed-up action B-movie star. In one of the funniest scenes, he visits a store that has a poster of one of his old movies where he played a ninja, which leads to plenty of ribbing from Adkins over his role in such a production. The joke of course being, that 2 of Adkins most popular titles are Ninja and its (vastly superior) sequel. For those paying close attention, the store also has a poster of Johnson’s own 2009 movie, Charlie Valentine, displayed in the window. It’s a nice touch. Johnson also plays with some interesting imagery, with intermittent shots of cows gradually being led to the slaughter scattered throughout the runtime, serving as a metaphor for the predicament Mandylor and Adkins eventually find themselves in.
The predicament at hand doesn’t reveal itself until 50 minutes in, and is one which could be said to represent the main plot, when a morally dubious client, played by the “Candyman” himself Tony Todd, enlists the agencies services for a questionable collection. Events unfold to what many will consider a surprisingly unexpected finale, as Mandylor and Adkins do their best Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, in a sequence which shows Johnson’s commitment to his vision. Perhaps the biggest strength of the collaborations between the director and star is that, as a stuntman himself Johnson knows exactly how to use Adkins, but he also isn’t afraid to cast him on the basis that he’s an actor that fits the role. But hey, this is the opinion of someone who puts On the Run in their top 3 Yuen Biao movies.
Filled with gravelly voiced tough guys, conversation on the importance of moderating a headbutt, and toothpicks to the face, The Debt Collector feels like a throwback to the unapologetic macho flicks of yesteryear, and that’s a compliment. Needless to say, Johnson’s latest may be indebted to the slices of cinema that influenced it, but it pays it back in spades, interest included.
The Debt Collector hits theaters, digital and DVD on June 5th, 2018.
Paul Bramhall’s Rating: 8/10
Fantastic! I can’t wait to watch!
Sold, another film to put on the future purchase’s list.
Good review Paul, enjoyed reading it.
Great review, Paul! I admit I didn’t think much of either Savage Dog or Accident Man, which is a shame because Accident Man in particular had some genuine potential. But I like Adkins and keep my eyes out for his new movies. Your review has sold me on Debt Collector, it sounds cool. Will be checking it out sooner rather than later.
For those like me that won’t settle for DVD, this movie is out on Bluray in Germany, but it is Region B locked so make sure you can play it before buying it.
Thanks for another good review Paul. I immediately ordered it. But, like Dennis, I’m NOT purchasing a DVD of this title, so Sony can suck it. I always try to support stateside releases, but if German distributors are putting it out on Blu-ray, then they get my business instead of Sony. Same thing happened with SAVAGE DOG, which was finally released on Blu-ray 6 months after the German BD came out. I also ordered the INCOMING (Scott Adkins in outer space) Blu-ray from Germany too. It kind of looks like OUTLAND, but with martial arts action.
I like Blu Ray as much as the next person, but I typically only buy them if they have exclusive special features or if it’s the only format available. I’ll certainly buy the DVD in the states and encourage others to do the same if it helps American sales.
I hope you can cancel your pre-order of Incoming. Paul was right in calling it Half Past Dead in Space. (And with less action)
I humbly respect your opinion but I have to disagree with the review. I was sceptical about this film after viewing the trailers but your review swayed me to watch it. I feel that the film was boring and the fights were just uninspired. The opening fight in the dojo was just ‘meh’ and things do not progress much from there. The final shootout (yes shootout not fight!!) is just stupid, How is all the bullets missing everybody when they are like straight ahead of them with a distance probably of no more than 10 metres away?
As for Johnsons and Adkins collaborations being a good pairing I couldn’t disagree more. Savage Dogs was a massive disappointment the story had potential but it came out just lazy and the fights with Mark Zaror and Cung Le were just boring and after witnessing Debt Collector I think Luke Fontaine shares some of the blame. As for Accident Man I actually really enjoyed and its one of Adkins better films of the late with good use of Michael Jai White, Ray Park and Amy Johnston. But judging from an interview with Jesse V Johnson he was less involved with this project compared to others and pretty much Adkins passion project plus it had Tim Man choreographing. And finally there is the much anticipated Triple Threat, early word from reliable friends that work with said people and/or on these projects is that it is another major disappointment. Word is that Jesse V Johnson is giving people guns and prefer to do shootouts rather than martial arts fights. I can respect Johnson as a filmmaker and attempting to do something different but when you take some of todays greatest onscreen fighters and release, for me, mediocre fights films then I say its time to try something different. I say please stop there collaborations and allow someone else to work with either Johnson or Adkins.
(Read the Jesse V Johson interview below)
https://filmmakermagazine.com/104814-you-have-to-make-money-its-a-business-jesse-v-johnson-on-accident-man-scott-adkins-and-the-logistics-of-fast-dtv-shoots/#.WxDeokxuIhk
Again you are entitled to your opinion and I respect that. This is just my rant. Thanks
I was very disheartened running around town to every video retailer, and not finding The Debt Collector, so I watched it On Demand.
I liked the movie a lot. I was constantly reminded of The Last Boy Scout, 48 Hours, Running Scared, and other gritty profane action flicks. Adkins and Mandylor played off of each other very well. It’s not easy to do an “anti-buddy” film, but they succeeded.
Some people might be upset that the fights aren’t like in Adkins’ other films, but I liked their scrappiness. Even though most of his opponents weren’t martial artists, the rhythm and timing in the choreography was well done,
I did feel that the ending was a little anti-climatic. I was disappointed that the guys ultimately don’t get to be the ones to take the villain down.
And the hooker who was responsible for ruining the Irish guy’s life should have gotten her comeuppance.
Louis Mandylor was fantastic. He was great at playing such a sleazy has-been, but when he reveals his personal story he shows that he used to be a good man and puts everything beforehand into perspective.
Jesse V Johnson has been on a roll lately, and I hope Triple Threat continues his momentum.
Dear Lam-Chop,
I appreciate you taking the time to comment here:
I bust my ass on Accident Man, re-wrote scenes with Scott and Stu, and shot-listed, designed, cast, and worked-directly-with the heads of departments while working 16-18 hour days directing every single-scene in the movie.
No one else directed it, it was 100% me – Ray Stevenson, Amy, Scott, Ray Park, MJW, Ashley Greene all worked 100% with me, not any other director.
Scott had specific vision and I worked with him to blend our ideas into one cohesive movie.
Scott and Tim ran the fight scenes after my choosing the location, wardrobe and discussing the choreography to be used, Scott has a specific and very hands-on approach to the choreography and I respect this and know well enough to leave him alone.
But I would step in for the dramatic or acting moments, and would be next-door or close-by, directing first unit photography.
You clearly took away the wrong idea from the interview, so, I am pleased I can clear this matter up for you.
Let me say it again: I was heavily invested in EVERY creative aspect of Accident Man, and no one else directed, or shot any dramatic scene in it – !
I love the movie and was there from preproduction through to final delivery, Scott was a major source of inspiration and drive but he was not there in the same capacity that I was.
Triple Threat is not a major or even a minor disappointment to anyone involved, and a it is a film I am very proud to say I put my heart and soul into – it is an incredible cinematic experience and very exciting – !
Well Go USA are extremely excited about it and are planning the biggest release of any of my films, Arclight are thrilled with it and have put an immense amount of time and energy into making it the best they can, with every element bigger and better than anything I have done before.
Gersh whom represent the greater majority of the cast are over the moon with the finished film, so I am confused about your “inside” source – there is no other inside source, save the three entities mentioned above.
The fights are outstanding and the photography and action is brilliant and quite unlike anything I have done before in scope or scale – we have tested and screened the film, were you there?
There was a script and an excellent schedule prepared by a fantastic 150 man Thai crew and we stuck to it, and made the film that was planned and added to it and made it bigger and better at every stage – I think we may have even added time and money to go bigger with the end-fight as everyone in the US was so thrilled with the product – extra budget was released.
Your statement sounds like one from an actor who had to wait two weeks in Bangkok for his two fight scenes, and he complained during his “wait time” that he was being left-out, actors do this. – Even telling his agent that I was filming a “shoot-out” when I should have been shooting his martial arts.
However, his last two fights are two of the very best in the film and I joked with him when I last saw him and he agreed – I am pretty certain this was the source of your inside information, my suggestion is that you wait until you have seen a movie before you judge it.
Triple Threat is a film I am extremely proud of, Accident Man was an enormous achievement for me, and I am very proud of that, too.
Debt Collector I feel is my best and most interesting film to date, many people were disappointed by the ending, that’s brilliant, it means you cared about the characters. We felt it was the only thing we could morally do after making them go so far into the abyss.
We didn’t want to sell out, to throw in the towel for a happy ending, a potential sequel, screw all that, we went for broke.
I am proud we did, you cannot on most films, they would not allow you – !
I usually don’t respond to little voices on the internet, but you responded to a favorable review that I have shared on my site, and someone somewhere may read your comment and attribute some worth to the gossip.
Hopefully my response helps both you and them understand the difference between circumstantial opinion and rock solid facts from the actual man who either wrote or cowrote but was 100% responsible for directing the films in question.
Wow. It’s great to read your comment. I’m sure you don’t appreciate viewers acting like they know film making better than you, but you were very diplomatic.
Likewise I’m sure you don’t appreciate ass-kissing, so I’ll try not to act like a fan-boy😄
I never trust people who claim to have an inside source unless they were involved in making the movie, so I’m glad you can clear up any rumors.
I’m looking forward to your next projects.
Hi Jesse,
I didn’t expect you to read my comment and I am glad you did. As for the film Debt Collector and Savage Dog it was just not for me I guess and if my statement came of as any offense I do apologise. I believe any film maker wishes to make the best product they can and no one wishes to make a bad film, it just may not connect with certain audiences. I can understand the investment anyone puts into a project especially a director. I truly hope Triple Threat meets expectations.
As for the source that I have mentioned I will not name names for I do believe that he wishes to continue working in the industry.
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Caught ‘The Debt Collector’ last night and enjoyed it very much. All I was really asking from the film was the satisfaction of seeing Scott Adkins punch people but it added to that with some nice back-and-forth chemistry between the two leads. The best of the Johnson & Adkins collaborations. It’s like a post-Tarantino crime movie with extra roundhouse kicks. (Didn’t much care for the cow stuff — I get it, just didn’t like it.) Overall one of the more entertaining action movies of 2018.
The action and fight scenes are absolutely terrific but there is so much else that didn’t work for me. You kind of glossed over the whole thing with the dojo but that was really annoying. He is supposedly willing to do anything to save this dojo but it’s literally never even mentioned again after the first 20 minutes or so. They never really tell you WHY he wanted to save it so badly rather than just doing something else. It’s not like he had a ton of students he was trying to help. The only “student” it showed was a gangster that ended up helping set him later in the movie.
Another thing was the random ass shots of cows throughout the movie. It was super jarring and the eventual pay off for why it kept showing that was not worth it, at all.
The last thing was the sound quality/audio in the movie. It was pretty atrocious. When you have dozens of actors with THICK, THICK accents (whether it’s Adkins’ accent or the countless fake Italian accents and even real ones) you need for the sound quality to be crisp and it def. was not here. There were many times I was left scratching my head at having understood very little of what was said in an entire scene.
Still, it was a pretty fun movie with great action and well worth it for that alone.
I don’t care about Scott. Zero charisma.