A master assassin. A deadly apprentice. And two generations of contract killers facing off.

In this episode of Mart and Trev’s The Deja Review, we enter the world of professional assassins to compare the gritty action thriller The Mechanic, starring Charles Bronson, with the high-octane reboot The Mechanic, starring Jason Statham.

The 1972 original became a cult favourite thanks to its cold, methodical approach to assassination, its tense mentor-student relationship, and Charles Bronson's understated performance as Arthur Bishop. Nearly forty years later, the 2011 remake reimagined the story with bigger action sequences, explosive set pieces, and a modern action-thriller style while retaining the core story of a hitman training the son of a former friend.

Mart and Trev break down the assassinations, the action scenes, the mentor-apprentice dynamic, and the biggest differences between the two films, asking whether the remake improves the formula or if the original still completes the contract with greater precision.

Does the 1972 classic still execute the perfect hit…

or does the 2011 reboot get the job done?

No witnesses. No mistakes. No second chances.

Two long time friends, one podcast.

This is The Deja Review.

Enjoy the episode and remember to like, follow and tell your friends.

As always a massive thank you to Little Foil Fish for our theme tune - ⁠ @LittleFoilFish ⁠

Mart & Trev

Subscribe to the Podcast - ⁠ @TheDejaReview

00:00 Introduction to the Deja Review Podcast

01:53 Exploring the Original Mechanic (1972)

14:56 Diving into the Remake of Mechanic (2011)

20:05 Comparing the Performances of Bronson and Statham

20:58 Discussion on Supporting Characters and Their Impact

27:41 5 to 1 - Jason Statham

42:38 Final Thoughts and Dishonorable Mentions

#themechanic #charlesbronson #jasonstatham #actionmovies #AssassinMovies #movieremakes #cultmovies #thedejareview #actioncinema #martandtrev #5to1

Forty years ago, a young filmmaker named James Cameron took one of the greatest horror films ever made and transformed it into one of the greatest action movies of all time.

Two years ago, Mart and Trev launched The Deja Review.

Now, those anniversaries collide in our biggest special episode yet.

To celebrate the 2nd Anniversary of The Deja Review and the 40th Anniversary of Aliens, Mart and Trev take a deep dive into the making of the legendary sci-fi action masterpiece that changed cinema forever.

From the tense production at Pinewood Studios and the famous clashes between James Cameron and the British crew, to the groundbreaking creature effects by Stan Winston, the unforgettable performances of Sigourney Weaver, Bill Paxton, Michael Biehn, Lance Henriksen and the rest of the Colonial Marines, this feature-length documentary explores how Aliens went from a risky sequel to one of the most influential films ever made.

We'll uncover:

The origins of the sequel

The casting of the Colonial Marines

Behind-the-scenes production stories

The famous "Tea Trolley Mutiny"

The creation of the Alien Queen

Deleted scenes and alternate ideas

The film's legacy across movies, gaming and popular culture

Why Aliens remains the gold standard for action sequels 40 years later

Whether you're a lifelong fan of LV-426 or discovering the film for the first time, this special celebration looks back at the movie that gave us pulse rifles, power loaders, facehuggers, xenomorphs, and some of the most quotable lines in movie history.

Game over, man? Not even close.

Join Mart and Trev as we celebrate 40 years of Aliens and 2 years of The Deja Review.

Two long time friends, one podcast.

This is The Deja Review.

Enjoy the episode and remember to like, follow and tell your friends.

As always a massive thank you to Little Foil Fish for our theme tune - ⁠ @LittleFoilFish ⁠

Mart & Trev

Subscribe to the Podcast - ⁠ @TheDejaReview

Share in the Comments. What's your favourite moment from Aliens?

🚀 "Express Elevator to Hell?"

👑 The Alien Queen?

🤖 "Get away from her, you bitch!"

💀 Hudson's meltdown?

🔥 Or something else entirely?

00:00 Celebrating Two Years of Deja Review

01:58 Exploring the Film 'Aliens'

02:57 The Impact of 'Aliens' on the Franchise

05:49 Character Development and Ripley's Role

09:44 Behind the Scenes: Casting and Production Challenges

13:07 Design Changes and Visual Effects

17:20 On-Set Dynamics and Directorial Challenges

21:41 The Legacy of 'Aliens' and Its Cultural Impact

30:44 Character Development and Training in Alien Films

33:34 The Impact of Alien 3 on Character Arcs

36:58 The Cast's Journey and Career Paths

40:51 Special Editions vs. Original Releases

46:39 The Evolution of Alien Technology and Effects

52:57 The Future of the Alien Franchise

#aliens #Aliens40 #aliensmovie #Aliens1986 #jamescameron #sigourneyweaver #billpaxton #lancehenriksen #xenomorph #alienqueen #colonialmarines #SciFiMovies #MovieDocumentary #thedejareview #podcast #moviepodcast #filmhistory #behindthescenes #martandtrev

A luxury cruise down the Nile. A cast full of suspects. And one of Agatha Christie’s most famous mysteries… told twice.

In this episode of Mart and Trev’s The Deja Review, we set sail on the River Nile to compare the classic whodunit Death on the Nile, starring Peter Ustinov as the brilliant Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, with the modern adaptation Death on the Nile, directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh.

Based on the bestselling novel by Agatha Christie, both films follow Poirot as he investigates a shocking murder aboard a glamorous river cruise through Egypt. The 1978 version became a mystery classic with its all-star cast and traditional detective storytelling, while the 2022 adaptation brings lavish visuals, expanded character backstories, and a modern blockbuster approach to the famous tale.

Mart and Trev break down the suspects, the clues, the performances, the Egyptian setting, and the biggest differences between the films, asking whether the remake uncovers new treasures or if the original still solves the mystery best.

Does the 1978 classic still reign supreme on the Nile…

or does the 2022 remake crack the case?

Everyone is a suspect. Nobody is innocent.

Two long time friends, one podcast.

This is The Deja Review.

Enjoy the episode and remember to like, follow and tell your friends.

As always a massive thank you to Little Foil Fish for our theme tune - ⁠ @LittleFoilFish ⁠

Mart & Trev

Subscribe to the Podcast - ⁠ @TheDejaReview

00:00 Introduction to Death on the Nile

03:02 Comparing the Original and the Remake

06:00 Character Dynamics and Changes

08:55 Controversies Surrounding the Remake

11:46 Character Amalgamation and Development

15:06 Plot Differences and Realism

17:56 Final Thoughts on the Films

25:05 The Legacy of Poirot: Ustinov vs. Finney

28:27 Cinematic Techniques: CGI vs. Authenticity

30:51 Character Depth: Comparing Performances in Remakes

33:44 Nostalgia and Originality: The Impact of COVID on Filmmaking

39:36 5 to 1: Dame Maggie Smith

#deathonthenile #agathachristie #herculepoirot #kennethbranagh #PeterUstinov #murdermystery #whodunit #movieremakes #TheDejaReview #5to1 #martandtrev