Hitman: Agent 47 (2015)

Hitman: Agent 47 centres on an elite assassin who, was genetically engineered from birth to be the perfect killing machine, is known only by the last two digits of the barcode on the back of his head. His latest target is a mega-corporation that plans to uncover the secrets of Agent 47 in order to create an army of unstoppable killers. To accomplish his contract, Agent 47 teams up with a young woman who is the key to overcoming his clandestine enemies.

Overall Review Score

2.5 out of 10

Review

Hitman: Agent 47 is a 2015 action thriller based on the Hitman video game series by IO Interactive that attempts to reboot the film franchise after the 2007 film ‘Hitman’. As Rupert Friend takes up the role of Agent 47, replacing Timonthy Olyphant from the original film, he faces off against feisty half man-half machine John Smith (Zachary Quinto) in a story that takes the audience around the world in pursuit of Dr. Litvenko (Ciaran Hinds), the founder of the ICA Agent program that created Agent 47. While Hitman: Agent 47 had the potential to be a good film, its 96-minute run-time and reliance on exposition, rather than action, causes the film to come across as a humdrum affair that only marginally avoids being a complete flop. The audience due to its opening sequence being fast-paced are momentarily appeased. However, as the film progresses the rather ‘gruntish’ acting of Rupert Friend and Zachary Quinto and the films ‘action sequence, talking, action sequence, and repeat’ mantra puts the audience off. Overall, Hitman: Agent 47 is a disappointing film. It does not portray the depth, cleverness or momentum that the Hitman game series has nor does it subject the audience to a gripping, fact-paced film rather it comes across as just another action film, albeit one produced with a 35 Million dollar budget and mediocre acting. It could have easily been a better film had the actors and Director put in the effort but alas that was not the case and as a result this film is one to avoid.

Reviewer 1's score & comments:

Score: 2 out of 10

Comments:

Hitman; Agent 47 was marketed as this sleek, action crime thriller that would appease diehard fans of the Hitman franchise, by utilising an engaging script, superb acting and stunning visual effects, as well as appeal to wider audience through its action set pieces and compelling story. Instead, the audience is treated to a quite frankly dull and unremarkable story, that seems like the director ripped the premise from the previous film, heavily edited fight scenes, that are over just as quickly as they begin, and most annoyingly a lack of baldness from Agent 47. Understandably the last point isn’t that big a deal but it lead me to wonder whether or not the director had ever heard of Agent 47 prior to making this film as there seemed to be no portrayal of the signature stealth kills and professionalism that fans would have expected from the series. All in all a very disappointing representation of the Hitman franchise.

Reviewer 2's score & comments:

Score: 3 out of 10

Comments:

Hitman: Agent 47 started well with the opening sequence being a slightly thrilling depiction of the stealth, technology and thought provoking assassinations that have made Hitman – especially from a game standpoint – a worldwide phenomenon. However, just when the audience thinks the film is going to deliver a realistic depiction of the Hitman franchise it descends into stale, boring storytelling and becomes just another action film. Once it makes this transition it delivers a convoluted story complete with the assassin is tasked to kill someone but after working alongside them decides to change their mind cliché and endless rounds of convenient action scenes to progress the plot. While Hitman: Agent 47 does have some good momentum building action scenes and special effects, it fails to accurately portray the world of Hitman that fans of the series have come to love. Overall, the film felt very forced and was disappointing to watch. It left me wondering why do people use Agent 47 as a main character if they are just going to make another action film. It is a film that will entertain action film fanatics but if the audience is looking for a true, immersive and entertaining Hitman experience then this film should be avoided.

#action #crime #thriller #zacharyquinto