5 things to know about Netflix's 'The Mother'

Jennifer Lopez's assassin is back, mad as hell, and taking no prisoners.

Movie stars-I’m talking about the real kind-can set a mood in the early going of a film. They show up, settle into the character quickly, and prove they did the homework. That’s what Jennifer Lopez does in Netflix’s new thriller, The Mother. Simple title for a simple, straight-forward flick.

When we see Lopez’s mysterious yet deadly character sitting in a chair almost swallowed by the hoodie she wears, there’s an instant connection that it’s a J. LO joint. It’s her house, we’re living in it for a couple hours, so get ready. I was reminded of the lean and mean action movies from my youth; pictures with a one-track mind that aimed to entertain.

Here’s five things to know about the #1 streamed film on Netflix.

Mix Enough with Taken

That’s the key tone: A new and improved avenging Lopez, with just enough backstory (she was really good at doing lethal things) to power the main show. A woman coming out of hiding to protect the daughter she had to forget about is enough gas to get this motor running.

Co-lead doesn’t stand out initially, yet improves as film ages

Is Lucy Paez-who plays the daughter in the above situation-the difference between The Mother being a great movie and merely an alright one? Not exactly. She doesn’t add a ton to a vital character. The uneven emotional range threw me, or Lopez simply swallowed her up. However, Paez does improve the more we climb into the movie, but it’s. Overall, something to build on.

Supporting cast fills out the check, not much more

Omari Hardwick was solid in Army of the Dead, but here he looks like what the movie got due to Common being busy. There’s a chance for something between his FBI agent and Lopez’s badass momma, but it never develops. Paul Raci amazed in The Sound of Metal, but here he’s given nothing to do. Joseph Fiennes’ big bad fizzles, completing the antagonistic aesthetic with facial burns! Gael Garcia Bernal suddenly shows up, but not for long.

It’s all very Netflixy

Picture a quickly made-from-spare-parts cinema burrito from the Taco Bell of Netflix movies, and you have this movie. The thin story. Funky special effects that hide the Starbucks cup next to Lopez’s motorcycle by the green screen, but still stink a bit. Star power lifts it up, but this is the actioner that sparkles in the 90s but lacks freshness today.

Lopez deadlifts ALL of it

She’s dedicated to a pretty thin role. When I talk about star power being used to elevate something lower, The Mother is the example. Lopez is in terrific shape, very assertive with the weaponry, and doesn’t push too far past morbid in her take on a damaged woman outrunning mistakes. It’s a rock solid performance from a seasoned pro. If only the rest of the movie hung out at her level.

SUMMARY: It’s serviceable without being sustainable, but Lopez fans will dig it.