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Movies based on video games have a terrible critical and box office history. For some reason, despite the two mediums being so closely linked and even interchangeable at times as graphics and digital effects evolve, they don’t strike a chord with audiences or reviewers.
Not to be dissuaded after a poorly-received adaption of the Hitman video game franchise bombed in 2007, Agent 47 is suited and booted for a second attempt in this reboot.
And, although this film is unlikely to clean house at the Oscars and change the landscape of movie/game tie-ins for good, those who do watch it may find it worth their time. It’s solid, if not spectacular.
The story is similar to the video game’s background. Agent 47 (Friend) is a genetically-created human imbued with the ability to think smarter, act faster, and generally be more lethal than the average person. If the movie’s title doesn’t tell you what his job is, then I’ll give you a clue; he takes out contracts to kill various people in order to realise the goals of those that employ him.
Our hero, who is so cold, calculating and emotionless that one has to wonder whether he really is the hero of this tale at all, is sent on a mission this time out to stop an evil organisation named Syndicate International from starting up a new and improved Agent programme (the one which birthed 47 himself).
For this, they require the person responsible for the original programme, Dr Litvenko (Hinds), but as he can’t be found anywhere, they plump for his daughter, Katia van Dees (Ware) instead, hoping she can lead them to her father.
47, of course, has to stop them while protecting Katia, but the less time spent worrying about the plot and more effort focussing on the action scenes, the better. Without the much longer time frame a video game has to tell a story, the plot takes numerous jumps and sharp-lefts, leaving behind logic and continuity holes that will either give you a headache or make you laugh if you spend too long thinking about them.
Put it this way, most decisions made by characters in the film are done to set up a cool action scene.
Luckily, then, these scenes deliver. Although we’ve been spoiled by action movies this summer and there’s nothing here that reaches the heights of, say, Mission: Impossible, they are pulled off with style and flair. Friend went through extensive training for the role, and his martial arts abilities are evident, while director Aleksander Bach keeps things moving at a brisk pace from behind the lens.
Considering the game series is about stealth, and 47 is supposed to be a hitman, there’s surprisingly little of it on show in the movie. You’d think it’d be the primary modus operandi for someone working in this field, but 47 is too quick to let his weapons and fists do the talking.
I know there needs to be some action scenes as an entire movie of a man sticking to the shadows and hiding behind corners would be brutally bad, but it’s disappointing that the entire essence of this franchise is ignored.
Friend makes a surprisingly good 47 here. I was sceptical at first after seeing his cocky, maverick performance in Homeland, but the cold, merciless and methodical about-turn exhibits here suits him to a tee as well. He also rocks the iconic chrome dome pretty well too.
The rest of the cast are by-the-numbers, especially Quinto as the villain. As 47’s main adversary and supposed equal, we never get a good enough glimpse into his motivations or psyche to make us care about his plans. Ultimately, he’s just another target.
Unfortunately, Hitman: Agent 47 will almost certainly disappoint fans of the video game series, with a lot of the mythos and background ignored in favour of another generic action film, while those that aren’t will think of it as too video game-like with its ridiculous premise, logic and plot.
It’s an unfortunate paradox considering this is certainly better than the last Hitman cinematic effort and not the worst action movie you’ll ever see either. If you want to see some decent action, stunts and effects, it’s probably worth the trip. Just don’t question why any of the scenes are actually happening.
