Review: Hitman
Penguin February 3rd, 2008
Rating: 2/4 stars
Hitman is based on the video game of the same name. It’s about a genetically engineered super assassin, Agent 47 (Timothy Olyphant, Live Free or Die Hard) who must figure out why the organization that he’s working for is trying to kill him. But they don’t stay on that storyline for long. I actually forgot that that was the central conflict until I started writing this. Along the way, he rescues, Nika (Olga Kurylenko, the new bond girl).
The action scenes aren’t too bad. There isn’t much suspense since our guy is a super-soldier, but they make sense and take a lot of nods from the game. There’s one scene where they’re in a bathroom and it is exceptionally well executed. Bourne Identity set the new standard for super-soldier combat. Even when you realize that Bourne is not your everyday soldier, there’s still a sense of vulnerability to him. That’s because the characterization is so strong. In Hitman, it’s hard to get attached to the characters because the acting is uneven. Sometimes they’re dead on, the next moment, their emotions are out the window.
There are nice little homages to the game. Xavier Gens uses a lot of shots from behind and high angle of Agent 47 walking. This is reminiscent of the character walking in the game.
Despite its failings, the movie is entertaining. It moves at a brisk pace so you don’t get caught up in the plotholes and there’s just enough plot to string you along. I would go so far as to say it’s the best adaption of a video game yet. Just wait until I adapt Portal or Tetris.
-Penguin
Related posts
