If there’s a commonality shared between most films focused on assassins, butchers, hitmen, and other professional killers, it’s how much they lean into the absurdity. Whether they take a dramatic angle that places you in the mind of a morally flexible contract killer or something more broadly observed antics of a hatchet man, there’s still this pervasive sheen of cool that has no place in reality. And yet, it’s a (basically fictional) career that is continually used in movies because there’s something fun and/or alluring about watching these particular people doing their jobs. The Killer’s Game is not setting out to provide any new perspective on the life of a button man. It does aim to give many excuses to put together a fun cast of actors and notable stunt performers in the same room for a series of comic book-like fights. It’s most certainly a movie leaning on the broad side of the life of an assassin, but it has enough of a fun spirit to make do with how silly it all is despite Dave Bautista once again showing what he’s got as a proven performer.
In this film, Bautista stars as Joe Flood, a veteran assassin ready to change his ways. He’s lived an honorable life of a killer, only taking out really bad guys as assignments given to him by his friend and mentor, Zvi (Ben Kingsley, making a meal out of his role). During his getaway from one particular job, he meets Maize (Sofia Boutella), a dancer Joe saves from a dangerous situation. The two begin to date. Sadly, it seems to all be short-lived, as Joe learns of a terminal medical diagnosis, leading him to place a hit on himself (allowing his life insurance to be paid out to Maize). However, wouldn’t you know it, as it turns out, Joe was misdiagnosed, meaning he must now fend off a series of very talented killers all looking to collect.
In this film, Bautista stars as Joe Flood, a veteran assassin ready to change his ways. He’s lived an honorable life of a killer, only taking out really bad guys as assignments given to him by his friend and mentor, Zvi (Ben Kingsley, making a meal out of his role). During his getaway from one particular job, he meets Maize (Sofia Boutella), a dancer Joe saves from a dangerous situation. The two begin to date. Sadly, it seems to all be short-lived, as Joe learns of a terminal medical diagnosis, leading him to place a hit on himself (allowing his life insurance to be paid out to Maize). However, wouldn’t you know it, as it turns out, Joe was misdiagnosed, meaning he must now fend off a series of very talented killers all looking to collect.
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As mentioned, this movie is ridiculous in its plotting, but it’s intended to be. This could have backfired, but there’s something admirable about The Killer’s Game spending as much time as it does on Joe’s life before putting a contract out on his own life. That comes down to Bautista, who continues to show how well he can own the screen. Did I think seeing a romantic plotline between him and Boutella would be as compelling as it is? Not necessarily, but I’m not surprised to have found myself rooting for all this to work out. Plus, Kingsley overdelivering made this early portion of the film quite fun.
Still, The Killer’s Game is primarily about seeing elaborate fight scenes and the gloriously over-the-top cast of fighters willing to go against Bautista. In that department, Terry Crews and Pom Klementieff bring a fun energy to their adversary roles (Crews is more in it for the payday, while Klementieff wants blood). More notably, from an action standpoint, this film features several fan favorites in the world of modern DTV cinema (a genuinely great source of talented stunt folks and martial artists). The Killer’s Game has Scott Adkins, Marko Zaror, Drew McIntyre, Lucy Cork, Shaina West, and Daniel Bernhardt, all bringing not only their talent but flare for something colorful to the table. Whether it’s a killer who uses dance as a weapon or two Scottish brothers who bring their boorish charm to the table, so much fun is derived from having this crew let loose with their wild personalities.
Still, The Killer’s Game is primarily about seeing elaborate fight scenes and the gloriously over-the-top cast of fighters willing to go against Bautista. In that department, Terry Crews and Pom Klementieff bring a fun energy to their adversary roles (Crews is more in it for the payday, while Klementieff wants blood). More notably, from an action standpoint, this film features several fan favorites in the world of modern DTV cinema (a genuinely great source of talented stunt folks and martial artists). The Killer’s Game has Scott Adkins, Marko Zaror, Drew McIntyre, Lucy Cork, Shaina West, and Daniel Bernhardt, all bringing not only their talent but flare for something colorful to the table. Whether it’s a killer who uses dance as a weapon or two Scottish brothers who bring their boorish charm to the table, so much fun is derived from having this crew let loose with their wild personalities.
The Killer’s Game is directed by J.J. Perry (Day Shift), a veteran stuntman who has done plenty of work coordinating stunts and acting as a 2nd unit director for major features. Armed with such an off-the-wall premise, he knows what the audience is looking to see, and (as is the tendency with stunt performers-turned-directors) he knows where to put the camera. We get a lot of elaborate fights featuring hand-to-hand combat, various weapons, vehicles, and explosions. It’s one thing just to set up those sequences and let them play out, but Perry invests each scene with something to make it stand out while remaining clear. Whether it’s the setting, the fact that this is another action flick not afraid to be colorful, or the way humor is a significant factor in the movie, the variety of what is on display works in this film’s favor.
Of course, looking down on what’s being offered here can be easy, but one has to wonder what’s expected with this premise. If there’s any downside, the movie does fall short of delivering even more of what’s working. With such a large ensemble cast of talented fighters, one wishes there was more time to see this parade of action sequences play out. Similarly, Boutella is coming off the awful Rebel Moon films, which at least allowed her to use her skills as a trained dancer to play into her action prowess. The Killer’s Game is more content in keeping her held back and even put in damsel mode in the film’s second half. So yes, even if there’s something to admire about this film as a throwback to action films of the past (including the “R” rating), it means the shortcomings still stick out.
Of course, looking down on what’s being offered here can be easy, but one has to wonder what’s expected with this premise. If there’s any downside, the movie does fall short of delivering even more of what’s working. With such a large ensemble cast of talented fighters, one wishes there was more time to see this parade of action sequences play out. Similarly, Boutella is coming off the awful Rebel Moon films, which at least allowed her to use her skills as a trained dancer to play into her action prowess. The Killer’s Game is more content in keeping her held back and even put in damsel mode in the film’s second half. So yes, even if there’s something to admire about this film as a throwback to action films of the past (including the “R” rating), it means the shortcomings still stick out.
With all that in mind, I’m still all for Dave Bautista taking the lead in movies or any part. He shined in a brief supporting role in Blade Runner 2049 and obviously made a name for himself in the world of Marvel as the dryly hilarious Drax the Destroyer. The sense of chilling authority he brought to Knock at the Cabin was another win for the former wrestler. Sure, The Killer’s Game is not a major test of what he can offer dramatically (though you stare into Bautista’s eyes when he first gets that diagnosis and not see the work he’s putting in!). Still, even with his efforts here, I’m happy to buy him in hero mode, where he knocks out quips and shows off his action prowess. If that merely amounts to another ludicrous hitman comedy, well, at least this one has fun hitting the target.
The Killer’s Game opens in theaters on September 13, 2024.
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