I enjoy action thrillers that go straight to the point without wasting time and find Hitman (2007) fits this description. This one got my attention because it focuses on a stone-cold professional assassin so I knew it would be a rollercoaster ride with adrenaline pumping action sequences.
Based on the video game series by IO Interactive and directed by Xavier Gens, Hitman stars Timothy Olyphant in the lead role of an assassin alongside Olga Kurylenko, Dougray Scott and other actors. In this movie, Timothy Olyphant has no name and is simply referred to as ‘Agent 47’. He's an orphan raised from birth by a mysterious organisation called The Agency which performs assassinations for hire. Agent 47 is one of their best, trained to be emotionless and efficient in all killing skills. His job is simple: receive a target, carry out the assignment and disappear.
Things go wrong when one of his assignments in Russia turns into something far more complicated than expected. His job is to assassinate the president, Mikhail Belicoff (Ulrich Thomsen). He does it and is shocked to see Belicoff appear in public immediately after, alive and well.
Agent 47 finds himself hunted by the Russian secret police and the Interpol, and also shockingly, by people within the Agency. It can only mean one thing—he had been betrayed. Along the way, he becomes I involved with Nika (Olga Kurylenko) a prostitute held in slavery by Belicoff's brother, Udre (Henry Ian Cusick). This unlikely relationship attempts to break down the emotionless part of Agent 47, getting him to see and understand his human side. Will he jeopardize his assignment to save Nika? Who betrayed him in the Agency and why?
My Review And Rating
The plot of this action thriller is a familiar one—a professional hitman tries to kill a country's president and things go sideways because of in-house betrayal. But the storytelling, action sequences and the fact that it's based on a video game kept me on the edge of my seat all through the one hour, thirty minutes running time.
What I enjoyed most about this movie is how Timothy Olyphant plays Agent 47. He doesn't need to talk much to command attention. His stoic expression, movements and controlled voice do most of the work. I chuckled in some scenes because he takes everything seriously. While people around him panic and make mistakes, he stays focused on the job. This cool personality makes his character stand out. I admire the way he walks into dangerous situations unfazed. He's not the type of action hero who runs around shouting threats. He simply observes, plans and acts.
Another strong point of this movie is the action sequences. I have not played the video game it's based on but I think the actions are well depicted. As Agent 47 and Nika are being chased by authorities from Petersburg to Moscow, there are plenty of gunfights, chases and close encounters that keep things exciting. Agent 47’s skill is what makes the action interesting. He uses his surroundings, thinks ahead and doesn't waste movement just as a professional hitman would do.
One interesting part of this movie is how Agent 47 is forced to examine himself and re-adapt after he was betrayed. He has been shaped into a weapon and his identity is tied to his work but his interactions with Nika brings out a side of him that his training seems unable to completely erase.
I liked their connection and chemistry. Olga Kurylenko is also one of my favourite action thriller actresses. I prefer her in lead roles as the action hero but I don't mind her playing second in this film. She embodies the role of a smart and seductive character impressively in this movie.
However, this movie is not perfect and has its flaws. There are some scenes that feel too convenient for me and I wish supporting characters like Carlton Smith, the CIA agent who helps Agent 47 escape, Udre Belicoff and others receive enough development. Also, I felt the movie focused heavily on portraying style rather than giving the story more depth. Still, it was enjoyable.
Rating this movie, I'd give it 7.5 out of 10 stars. It's a straightforward action thriller centred on conspiracy plots, gunfights, and a good-looking assassin who says more with a look than many words. There's violence and gore but not so much. If you are an action thriller fan, you'll find Hitman entertaining to watch.
All images above are screenshots from the movie
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Rating: 75/100