With a multitude of sly twists any action fan should relish, Safe joins The Expendables as another supremely entertaining work from Jason Statham. I love emotion with action, which could explain my deep admiration for the king of thrillers, Speed. In the case of Safe, Statham develops an emotional arc that involves reaching down deep and projecting a state of feelings that doesn’t feel forced.

Executive produced by Kevin Spacey, the film has the makings of a landmark thrill-ride. The brilliantly constructed plot echoes themes of the independent world, only amped-up 100%. Luke Wright (Statham) loses everything -- his wife, his reputation and almost his life. The only thing stopping him from doing something drastic occurs when Mei (the delightful Catherine Chan) saves him. She walks by Luke on an underground train station, her mere presence a reminder to him of “life.” When he spots a group of men following her, he decides to investigate. Ultimately, he becomes Mei’s protector. She has a secret: the code to a safe containing something valuable. However, the Chinese, Russians and a corrupt New York police force are eager to obtain the safe’s contents first.

Safe gives Statham a rare opportunity to bare his soul in front of an audience. When the Russians hold him at gun point early in the film, he knows his time may be up. Instead of retaliation, he cries, thinking about his deceased wife, a person we never actually see or hear. She becomes an important part of the puzzle due to Statham’s reaction. It’s one of the finest moments in which an action star sheds the invincible exterior to show what really lies beneath. The result moved me and made me more appreciative of the star’s hidden range.

For those already thinking that the film offers more goo than glue, they will be pleasantly surprised by Boaz Yakin’s deft handling of spectacle. One action sequence feels so cleverly edited by Frederic Thoraval that I became totally absorbed while watching it. The bad guys burst out of the woodwork like something from a great Sam Peckinpah picture. Thoraval doesn’t hold back, which allows the audience maximum participation in the event.

Cinematographer Stefan Czapsky makes the camera lens his most important weapon. He creates little moments out of the mania, such as when Statham ties up an unsavoury chap and sticks him in the boot of his car.

What I enjoyed most about Safe was the unexpected turns in the narrative. Statham continues to remain in my good books. The next time you are at the cinema or about to rent the latest blockbuster, I would recommend the work of a proven master in the areas of martial arts and emotional involvement.

(Released by Lionsgate Films and rated "R" by MPAA.)