OPERATION: ENDGAME (2010)

Directed By: Fouad Mikati 
Written By: Sam Levinson & Brian Wantanbe 
Cinematography By: Arnaud Stefani 
Editor: Joshua Ferrazzano 

Cast: Joe Anderson, Rob Corddry, Odette Annable , Maggie Q, Ving Rhames, Ellen Barkin, Bob Odenkirk, Brandon T. Jackson, Adam Scott, Emilie De Ravin, , Zach Galifianakis, Jeffrey Tambor, Michael Hitchcock, Beth Grant


A dry action-comedy about two teams of government assassins working out of a top-secret underground facility using code names from the Tarot deck. When our hero--The Fool--arrives for his first day at work to find that the boss has been killed under mysterious circumstances, he must find the killer before the whole place blows up.

This all star action film stars so starkly it takes a bit to catch up and there is so much double crossing at times it leaves you confused, but once you get into the film it moves along though is so short on a lot of things such as story and plausibility that it seems much more suited or at least inspired by a video game.

The action sequences seemed short and cluttered . I understand the film must take place in a bunker like office, but there still seems like there could have been a little room to open up the fights or could have used the clutter to the advantage of the fights that just needed better coverage. Though does challenge the filmmakers to make the fighting more expressive in small space and still be believable.

The movie was shot in 20 days, most of the fight scenes were done in less than 3 hours.

Like a video game we only learn the basics of characters. Who for spies are very open and trusting for the most part and that is all we really have to go by for the rest of the film. Since the characters all seem to have their quirks they are actually interesting, But we hardly get to know any of them before they are dropping like flies. If this film was successful enough I would request a sequel that is a prequel to show some of them being recruited and actually carrying out missions. The original script, "The Rogues' Gallery," was a 2004 Scriptapalooza finalist and tied for "Best Comedy" at the Screenwriting Expo 3 Screenwriting Contest.

It's a shame a good quirky recognizable cast of character actors and comedians. Who are good deserve to be in a better film then this or at least last longer in the film. Which seems to be determined of your career standing at the time of the films making. Not too much p a shocker that you see the twists coming and any mystery can be easily figured out.

It figures that this film would be produced by Richard (DONNIE DARKO) Kelly's production company. It feels different more like a video game come to life.

For all the action it's quite funny at times. Though because of it’s claustrophobic setting and low budget I can see why it never made it to the big screen. Though it is good enough to be there

Ellen Barkin's role seems like it is becoming a cliche for her. Rob Corddry steals another film as the most Interesting and one of the funniest guys in the film.

Maggie Q's character seems unfairly treated as he seems made to suffer just when she is about to get intriguing.

It's a short film, but I found I wanted more. It would have been nice if the first half hour they set up the characters a little more sort of like the movie SMOKIN' ACES thoroughly so unlike a horror movie, the deaths mean a little more and are not so based on your knowledgeable and like ability of the actor

When it comes to the well known cast part of the surprise is, Who is killed and how fast they are dispatched. That also might be the entertainment of the film. If you don't particularly like that actor. Though shockingly by the end of the film it offers a gut punch

A good rental.

 Grade: C+