A movie based on a video game isn’t a new idea; in fact Hollywood has been churning them out for years with mix success. Early tries like Super Mario Bros failed miserably, whereas Laura Croft and the Resident Evil series have fared better. Now on the scene is Hitman, a film starring Timothy Olphant as the title character, in the same realm as the Luc Besson’s, The Professional.
Many people may recognize Timothy Olphant as the sheriff in the HBO series Deadwood, the cyber-terrorist villain in the last Die Hard movie, or my personal favorite, a porn film maker in 2004’s The Girl Next Door. Olphant is a talented actor that is known for his dry wit and delivery. With that in mind, I wasn’t convinced he was the right choice for the role of a no nonsense killer.
Hitman takes us into the world on hired assassins, people who kill because that is their job. They do it with no emotions and no regrets; it’s just what they do. After Agent 47 completes his job of killing the Russian President publicly, he is informed there is a loose-end, a witness. Agent 47 arrives to take out the witness only to find out it’s a set up and she has no idea who he is. After narrowing escaping another assassin’s bullet, 47 finds out that the Russian President is still alive, or is he? So begins the journey to unravel the clues before he too is taken out. All along, he must stay one step ahead of Interpol agent Mike Whittier and his partner who are closing in on him fast.
Hitman has a feel of the old action movies from the like Dirty Harry, Death Wish and one scene is very reminiscent of Pacino's Scarface. It’s violent, has gratuitous nudity and offers no apologies for it. Through it all, the hero is some how likeable even though he is a killer and doesn’t pretend to be anything but.
Hitman has moments that are reminiscent of more recent films like the Bourne Identity series and the Transporter, in both theme and even story. This is especially evident in the on going relationship that blossoms between Agent 47 with the prostitute and former girlfriend of the Russian President. It is also the moments in the film that Olphant can really flesh out the character a little more. Without this extra storyline the film would be one long action scene.
If you are a fan of action movies or the video game, Hitman has arrived on DVD with several options to choose for your viewing pleasure. On Standard DVD you can buy the theatrical version, an Unrated version, an Unrated Two-Disc Special Edition, or you can pick it up on the Unrated blu-ray edition.
The Unrated Two-Disc Special Edition and the blu-ray edition offer a wide range of bonus features. You have four featurettes on everything from the guns to the background on the video game it’s based on. You also have a gag reel and deleted scenes including an alternate ending.
On disc 2 offers you a digital copy that you can watch on your computer, or put on your iPod to watch wherever or whenever you want. This seems like an interesting new trend that has been offered more recently from 20th Century Fox discs.
Hitman is a fun action movie that isn’t much more then that. Agent 47 isn’t James Bond, but there’s something still kind of cool about him even if he doesn’t go after the girl. If you are a fan of the game or a fan of the action genre, then Hitman is worth checking out.
Powered by AkoComment 2.0!
Entertainment
Art
