With the double-cross in full effect, 47 finds himself being pursued by Russian secret police, led by Yuri Marklov (Prison Break's Robert "T-Bag" Knepper), and Interpol, led by Mike Whittier (Dougray Scott). He also meets Nika, a prostitute with ties to the president and the only other person who can unlock the secret behind Belicoff's return. Besides her plot point, she also is an unknown factor to 47. He seems to be intrigued by her, yet attempts to keep up his guard. It is a moderately interesting relationship, although it leaves much left to the imagination.
The plot is pretty straightforward with little in the way of twists or surprises. What makes this worthy of watching at all is the action, and to some extent, the performances. There are plenty of stylish fights using fists, guns, and swords. There isn't anything we haven't seen before, but that doesn't take away from the "cool" factor. Director Xavier Gens has a good eye for action and knows how to paint the screen with appropriate slow motion; there is promise for his future projects.
I was one of those who thought that Jason Statham should have been cast as the lead, and I still believe he would have been a strong choice. Timothy Olyphant (who I confuse with Josh Duhamel) won the role and brings a depth to it that makes the character more interesting than expected, but still is not explored as fully as it could have been. Still, Olyphant anchors the film with an oddly charismatic presence that far outweighs his villainous role in Live Free or Die Hard. The rest of the performances are all solid, considering what they have to work with.
Where Hitman fails is in the script. The screenplay fails to go anywhere beyond the surface. What little depth there is is left to the actors to try and drag out from in between the words on the page. What is the deal with those behind the Organization? Could this be the same group responsible for Jason Bourne? I smell crossover potential! What is the story surrounding Belicoff? There are certainly more political aspects to be explored to make this thread interesting. For that matter, why should I cheer for 47? There is little attempt to make him anything more than a killer for money on a job that went sour. Should I identify with him because he walks around real tough, can kill people in the blink of an eye, and pulls off the black and white suit look? Perhaps it should be for his bald head and trendy barcode tattoo? When you stop and think about it, Dougray Scott is the hero of the movie.
Article comments
1 - bibbyroo
i saw it this weekend, and i would agree with you about the wasted potential. the previews made it look like it was going to be a big story about his past and figuring out his place in the world, but absolutely none of that is ever dealt with. in fact, the only 'challenging' topic mentioned was his lack of interaction with women. but then, instead of being forced to confront that area of his life, he just drugs her and walks away.
i would agree, the action was decent, but the story was really lacking...
2 - egnarOelpruP
When you think about the previous game-films, this isnt half bad compared to;for example(god forbid) Doom and Bloodrayne.
They're getting somewhere, it'll take time, but eventually they'll actually make a good film based on a game.
It might take a couple of years, but they'll do it.
3 - Chris Beaumont
As far as game-movie adaptations, ones that I think are better movies than the Hitman movie: Resident Evil (series), Tomb Raider, Mortal Kombat, Doom. Hell, DOA was more entertaining than this.
4 - #4
This movie was a let down, I believe that yes doom is even worse, and we know that catwomen should never have been made, but i think that they should stop making movies based on games, don't try until they find a real game, splinter cell for instance.... The actor for Agent 47 was a total let down, i didnt feel he fitted the part, and he felt un comfortable in some positions... Sorry, but i love the games, and not the movies, lets keep it this way.