Mason (Jason Statham) is a reclusive loner on a remote Scottish island hiding from his past. But when delivery girl Jessie (Bodhi Rae Breathnach) finds herself stranded following a storm Mason has to find a way to help her. Of course this leads to him blowing his cover and he and Jessie set out on the run.

This is a typical Statham movie. He plays a broody, introspective loner with a heart of gold who can beat anyone to a pulp with nary a scratch. Of course he has elite training and a secret past that he is running from but still has humanity, as shown by his care for Jessie. He also has some rather lovely cardigans. 

Breathnach does a good job as the damsel in distress and the relationship her character forms with Mason gave off the aura of the one in Leave No Trace. A fine comparison both for the young actress and the film. 

Bill Nighy plays a shady spymaster and fits the role perfectly. He may be the key to understanding Mason’s past and Nighy delivers as the experienced old hand who makes up in political nous what he lacks in empathy. 

There are flaws. The likes of Naomi Ackie and Daniel Mays have a much harder task in making their characters more than plot devices to show Mason’s character. And the fact that the entire film feels like slightly reworked plot lines from other films does lay heavily on how much you can enjoy its originality. Mason’s past feels more than a little Jason Bourne-esque and the relationship between Mason and Jessie has touchstones with the aforementioned Leave No Trace and the Luc Besson classic Leon. 

But ultimately we are here for the action and its slickly executed stuff. The fights are brutal and delivered in short, sharp bursts. A rally like car chase through a forest delivers some real thrills and the general intensity of the set pieces generate real threat. 

Shelter is a well executed Jason Statham movie and anyone who enjoys his particular oeuvre will find this an enjoyable watch.