Directed By: Aleksander Bach
Written By:Skip Woods & Michael Finch
Story By: Skip Woods
Cinematography By: Ottar Guonason
Editor: Nicolas De Toth
Cast: Rupert Friend, Cirian Hinds, Thomas Kretschmann, Hannah Ware, Zachary Quinto, Jurgen Prochnow, Angelababy
HITMAN: AGENT 47 centers on an elite assassin who was genetically engineered from conception to be the perfect killing machine, and is known only by the last two digits on the barcode tattooed on the back of his neck. He is the culmination of decades of research and forty-six earlier Agent clones -- endowing him with unprecedented strength, speed, stamina and intelligence. His latest target is a mega-corporation that plans to unlock the secret of Agent 47's past to create an army of killers whose powers surpass even his own. Teaming up with a young woman who may hold the secret to overcoming their powerful and clandestine enemies, 47 confronts stunning revelations about his own origins and squares off in an epic battle with his deadliest foe.
This truly was an unnecessary sequel. That I understand is just trying to reboot the brand as the first film did good business. Though that was almost a decade ago.
The film feels like a sequel but also succeeds as try get to reboot the series. As since the film is based on a video game that is how the film plays.
Now I will admit to not being he biggest fan of action films. Let me rephrase that modern action films. As they feel like a dime a dozen these days. That I feel numb to them half of the time. The ones I do notice are usually the ones that are more old school, fun over the top or are truly shining examples of what the genre can be. I guess to a degree I am snobbish in my action tastes. I also feel that with a growing trend in action films such as THE EQUALIZER. Where the hero faces his obstacles and we know will win as he is the star. Has been a staple for a long time. Ever since the star system. The problem is that in films like the one I just mentioned Is that in the scenarios of films such as this and the one mentioned. Yes we already know that the star is usually unstoppable and might need a scene or two to drive home that fact, but then should face challenges that are new and hard for him to overcome. Instead we have films where the hero faces these hordes usually alone and barely breaks a sweat. So that we never see him really have to think or outsmart. It's almost like a regular day to them. While that might work in video game a where it is expected. It takes out the human drama of a film. Even though action films have very little as they choose to go with pyrotechnics. It's nice to see them in there. As they make the film and the characters relateable to a degree.
Plus some of the best actions films have good action as they can be so spectacular and full of drama. Usually as that is the only place sometimes drama fits in the films. Here it is so routine and Unenthusiastic. So there is really nothing to overcome. It's more like how long will it take, which is also the usual. But in most films there are obstacles to overcome and to learn lessons to defeat the enemy and even the hero encounters things they don't expect. With all of those aspect absent it isn't very exciting.
Without it, the film is more a stunt show that you would see at an amusement park with some kind of story more like theme to connect the different scenes.
As the character faces new challenges the film chooses to up the ante along the way as to how is he going to get out of this one or can he defeat all these men. Especially when they have such and such safety precautions and those weapons and technology? Not only that, He is facing Agent who are supposed to be as dangerous as he is and they prove to be useless and not able to aim. (Think storm troopers in STAR WARS or the little robots in the STAR WARS prequels)
This film makes the first HITMAN movie look good and i didn't even like that film. Yet I found it more engaging and had better action then this film. Which is nothing but quick cuts. So that you can't tell what is happening half of the time. It also makes it hard to focus on any one thing.
Rupert friend is a fine actor, but seems miscast here. He has a resemblance to Orlando bloom and while he is adequate in the action scenes. He doesn't give off a dangerous aura as the character. Never truly convincing as the bad ass. I understand more and more action films these days want to go for he more unconventional action hero type. Using actors one wouldn't expect in the role. Easier for villains to underestimate them and not see them coming. Some with the audience who can more see themselves in the hero type role and make them more relatable.
Paul Walker was previously attached to play the lead role in this film before his sudden death in late November, 2013.
Though it waters down the character archetype to a degree. Though Maybe I am conditioned as i grew up in the 80's where the actions stars were muscle bound, tough and usually had a fighting style of down degree or were Steven Seagal. That might be why I still have a weakness for those old school ridiculous, yet simple action films of Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwartzenegger, Bruce Willis, Jean Claude Van Damme, Wesley Snipes, Carl weathers
You’re not going to find any originality in this film. As you can predict it all and worse of all the films direction feels lazy and flat. No real vitality. Even though the camera is forever moving around.
Even the villains have no personality, they all play the archetype of being somewhat smarter then everyone else and are menacing but in the end sniveling. At least the main one. Some action films that have basic scion can be saved by having an interesting villain to provide entertainment. Even making us feel a little sad for their demise or really wanting it to happen so much we can't be satisfied until we witness a violent last breath (think GAME OF THRONES)
As usual the representation of females is minor. As at the center of all of this is a female character played by the fetching Hannah Ware, but again as is usual she is more a damsel in distress and a pretty face. As she has a customary shower scene and though is labeled as dangerous we rarely see her act the part except when out of nowhere she is needed to save the main character. Nor are there any female agents for them to face. I can understand it might feel a little too much misogynistic and overkill to have this man beating up women throughout the film also bad taste. Though at least it would give the female lead someone to fight also. Then again I am guessing the filmmaker thought by her fighting men and winning. It up's her bad ass points.
Skip it
Grade: F
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