★★★★☆

I have to admit I like Jessica Chastain playing a badass chick in Ava. I enjoyed Zero Dark Thirty and Miss Sloane more to be sure. In those she is more of a psychological badass bitch which she carries well. In Ava she goes all John Wick on dudes! Nice to see John Malkovich playing a father type figure, Ava’s boss and protector. Yes, we all like his crazy old man roles in the Red franchise, but he pulls this off naturally. Sadly, with Bruce Willis’ health situation we won’t see any new Red installments.

Hats Off to Women Who Starve and Live in the Gym

While she may have had a stunt double for some of those scenes, much of the hand to hand looked like she was doing it. Ain’t many 300+ pound guys with back hair that can do that. Here’s one of the official clips.

Not Just a Shoot-em-up

If you’ve noticed anything about non-Marvel/DC action movies you’ve noticed they strive to make it much more than action. She was ex-military, became a junkie dealing with PTSD, got picked up by this agency of killers and apparently cleaned up, right back to killing again. They paint that story pretty early in the movie. Then she comes home. A place she disappeared from without warning for over five years we find out. Her ex-fiance’ who has a gambling problem moved on to her sister, is engaged to her, and got her knocked up. Oh yes, mom is still alive and wants the girls to be friends.

No, I’m not going to spoil the last big chunk of family drama because it is great too.

Termination is not a Pink Slip

It’s bad enough trying to put a dysfunctional family back together, but add to that your skip-a-level boss wanting you terminated is enough to make anyone drink. Of course, nobody they send is quite as good or lucky than Ava.

Ava Summary

I really wish they would come out with a sequel. This is well worth a watch.

For more movie rental ideas please see list one and list two.