Name: Retro Film Review: Silent Trigger (1996)
Item: Silent Trigger
Rating: 50
Author: @drax

(source: tmdb.org)

There are many methods of killing, but few are so mentally demanding like the shooting with a long-range rifle. It requires assassin with great deal of patience, concentration and perfect self-control. It also requires individual who can live with the image of the victim embedded into memory; unlike other assassins, this killer must get to know his target before pulling the trigger. Silent Trigger, 1996 action film directed by Russell Mulcahy, is a tale of one such individual.

Protagonist of the film is Waxman (played by Dolph Lundgren), expert marksman employed by shadowy government "Agency". His latest task involves killing of a very important individual. Remote unfinished skyscraper gives him the perfect location to stage his deadly ambush and he climbs to the upper floors, accompanied by Clegg (played by Gina Bellman), woman who used to work as his spotter during their service in some unnamed war-torn East European country. As the designated target approaches the ambush, Waxman remembers his past and starts questioning his way of life. In the meantime, he would also have to deal with couple of annoying security guards, one of whom has an unhealthy obsession with Clegg.

Despite Sergio Altieri's script that seems to offer more meditation than action, Silent Trigger is not one of those films that ask profound ethical or existential questions. Instead, flashbacks within the script allow Russell Mulcahy to do what he does best - stage few really impressive action scenes. In doing so, he is aided by Gilles Aird's production design that makes a good use of Montreal locations, especially in the unfinished skyscraper that brings back memories of Die Hard. Characterisation is, on the other hand, quite different matter, but fans of Dolph Lundgren probably wouldn't mind that nor his idol's disinterested performance. His partner Gina Bellman (of Coupling fame) is also not very good, being more conspicuous for her looks than for the complexity of her character. However, despite those flaws (that would hardly come as a surprise in Russell Mulchay's film), Silent Trigger is entertaining enough to be recommended to the fans of action genre.

RATING: 5/10 (++)

(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.movies.reviews on April 23rd 2003)