Starring: Jason Satham, Clive Owen, Robert De Niro, Dominic Purcell, Aden Young, Yvonne Strahovski
In a dark hospital storage room Jason Statham thrashes elbow strikes and knees with Clive Owen in a vicious close-in all out brawl. You know this will not end well for Owen. Director Gary McKendry flawlessly orchestrates the brutal dynamics of the high impact action sequences. Unfortunately, he doesn't sustain that metric of edgy intensity throughout "Killer Elite". Then again, I saw "Killer Elite" to see Jason Statham kick some ass. I had seen the movie trailer where Statham tied to a chair elevates and pummels his unsuspecting adversary. I think Jason Statham is the most explosive martial arts star today. He is lean and muscular, moves like a dancer. He unleashes violence with lighting quickness and deadly force. As an actor he is likeably measured and very charismatic. Unfortunately, "Killer Elite" is not his breakthrough star vehicle. The movie provides formidable screen partners in Clive Owen and Robert DeNiro; however, this does not alter the end result.
"Killer Elite" is not a remake of the 1975 James Caan movie. Matt Sherring's screenplay is based on Sir Ranulph Fiennes's novel "The Feather Men". The translated story, although based on events of the British SAS operations in Oman, is just not that interesting. This is the sad failing of "Killer Elite". I was surprised in the prologue that the story was set in 1980, with the world possibly imploding into chaos. I had expected something more contemporary or updated. Statham is Danny, elite special ops agent; in Mexico with his mentor Hunter, the grizzled and world wary Robert DeNiro, to kill a bad guy. The mission unravels when Danny lapses: not killing the boy in the car, who is witness to the assassination. That attack of conscience nearly costs Danny his life. Game over. Danny retires, finding a modicum of peace in Australia and possibly love with beautiful Anne (gorgeous and strong willed Yvonne Strahovski).
Of course Danny is pulled off the farm in the Outback and back into the Game. Hunter is held hostage by Oman Tribal Leader Sheikh Amr (believable feeble and ruthless Rodney Afif) after a blown operation. The Sheikh will give Danny $6 million and free Hunter, if he kills the men responsible for the deaths of his three sons. The catch: They must confess to the murders on video and their demise must occur accidental—recall this is set in 1980. Failing to rescue Hunter solo, Danny seals his own fate. Danny soon realizes the reach may include his beloved Anne.
In the meantime, Danny's vengeance pact lands on the radar of The Feather Men, a clandestine organization of former SAS players, whom are power brokers with oil interests in Oman. Their lead operative is Spike (powerful and intense Clive Owen), who is also former SAS. While investigating the deaths of their men associated with Danny, things just don't calculate right. Owen effectively instills a code of honor and noble presence in Spike, so when he ignores the orders of his handlers and goes rogue it furthers the story and enrolls us.
Predictably, this serves solely as the conflict of wit and wills of Danny and Spike. Their climatic showdown is the only captivating element of "Killer Elite", which also illustrates the downside of the overly complicated, often incoherent narrative. What kept me entertained were the impeccable fight scenes with Statham. I particularly loved the sequence on the stairwell, where Statham thrusts a kick to the chest, strikes the head, and judo throws the bad guy to the floor. That is just clean, elegant, and powerful. Too bad this metaphor fails to represent "Killer Elite" as a whole. Director McKendry possesses all the right elements and players. Something dilutes in the integration. There is never a visceral sense of danger or wonder in "Killer Elite". And that is a real shame.
"Killer Elite" is not a remake of the 1975 James Caan movie. Matt Sherring's screenplay is based on Sir Ranulph Fiennes's novel "The Feather Men". The translated story, although based on events of the British SAS operations in Oman, is just not that interesting. This is the sad failing of "Killer Elite". I was surprised in the prologue that the story was set in 1980, with the world possibly imploding into chaos. I had expected something more contemporary or updated. Statham is Danny, elite special ops agent; in Mexico with his mentor Hunter, the grizzled and world wary Robert DeNiro, to kill a bad guy. The mission unravels when Danny lapses: not killing the boy in the car, who is witness to the assassination. That attack of conscience nearly costs Danny his life. Game over. Danny retires, finding a modicum of peace in Australia and possibly love with beautiful Anne (gorgeous and strong willed Yvonne Strahovski).
Of course Danny is pulled off the farm in the Outback and back into the Game. Hunter is held hostage by Oman Tribal Leader Sheikh Amr (believable feeble and ruthless Rodney Afif) after a blown operation. The Sheikh will give Danny $6 million and free Hunter, if he kills the men responsible for the deaths of his three sons. The catch: They must confess to the murders on video and their demise must occur accidental—recall this is set in 1980. Failing to rescue Hunter solo, Danny seals his own fate. Danny soon realizes the reach may include his beloved Anne.
In the meantime, Danny's vengeance pact lands on the radar of The Feather Men, a clandestine organization of former SAS players, whom are power brokers with oil interests in Oman. Their lead operative is Spike (powerful and intense Clive Owen), who is also former SAS. While investigating the deaths of their men associated with Danny, things just don't calculate right. Owen effectively instills a code of honor and noble presence in Spike, so when he ignores the orders of his handlers and goes rogue it furthers the story and enrolls us.
Predictably, this serves solely as the conflict of wit and wills of Danny and Spike. Their climatic showdown is the only captivating element of "Killer Elite", which also illustrates the downside of the overly complicated, often incoherent narrative. What kept me entertained were the impeccable fight scenes with Statham. I particularly loved the sequence on the stairwell, where Statham thrusts a kick to the chest, strikes the head, and judo throws the bad guy to the floor. That is just clean, elegant, and powerful. Too bad this metaphor fails to represent "Killer Elite" as a whole. Director McKendry possesses all the right elements and players. Something dilutes in the integration. There is never a visceral sense of danger or wonder in "Killer Elite". And that is a real shame.
No comments:
Post a Comment