Hey folks, Harry here... Augustus Gloop has been a long time off and on reviewer here at AICN for quite some time now. I have to admit, none of the trailers are really grabbing me, but his enthusiasm has me wanting to check it out now. Now, here's Augustus...
I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out how to do Hitman: Agent 47 justice, and all I know to say is hot damn, I had fun with that movie! I wasn't at all familiar with game series on which it's based nor the 2007 Hitman starring Timothy Olyphant, and I have not heard good things about that one. This is probably why this follow-up starring Rupert Friend, Hannah Ware, Ciarán Hinds and Zachary Quinto is getting so little attention. Nobody expects much out of it.
In fact, it started with an awkward little monologue explaining the secret 1960's genetic program to develop the perfect killer, some talk about how it all went too far leading to soulless agents before the program was shuttered etc etc, and I worried for just a minute that I wasn't going to enjoy myself. That was before Rupert Friend shows up looking something like I'd imagine Legolas might, if he went to business school and woke up to find Gimli had shaved him bald in the middle of the night, picks up a briefcase full of firearms and goes on a silent killing spree. I don't think anyone could be more perfect for the role of Agent 47. He's beautiful, menacing, perfectly efficient, NEVER fails.
Then there's Hannah Ware. Her Katia is smoking hot, living on her own, always on the run, endlessly searching for a mystery man. She doesn't know his name or even why she has to find him, but her search is interrupted when Zachary Quinto shows up, already knowing everything about her, and saves her life from 47. The ensuing chase takes them through some of the smartest action sequences I've seen in years, through exotic locales, with so many "Oh my gosh" action moments I was dancing in my seat. Every year at Fantastic Fest, there is a 100 Best Kills party where people bring clips of their favorite on-screen deaths to celebrate the most imaginative, cringe-inducing, gory and so on. Half the kills in this movie could qualify.
Director Aleksander Bach has no other credits in film except apparently a history directing high end car commercials, but that background shines here. Everything is clean, precise, elegant, perfectly executed. Even the music is perfect, subtle but distinctly complementing the mood in every scene.
The main screenwriter Skip Woods has a mixed history, including the previous Hitman film as well as the very good Hugh Jackman thriller Swordfish and the not-so-good Hugh Jackman stinker X-Men Origins: Wolverine. But here, he and fellow Michael Finch (Predators) give us a script that's smart, keeps you guessing, and doesn't waste a single minute. At the same time, it fairly represents the action when playing the games, according to my friend who is more than a little experienced with them. Use of the garrote, costume changes, sniper rifles, all the elements of the game are covered.
I'm seeing some tweet-scorn among critic friends and associates, though none of them were at the screening I attended. I can't imagine we saw the same film. Pre-conceived notions may affect your viewing experience. I think you'll find it's a hell of a ride. Just take my advice and avoid any trailers if you haven't seen them. Watching them now I think they give away too many secrets.Augustus Gloop
