It's a dangerous area to tread into...the world of video game to movie. It's been done really well (Resident Evil Series) and it's been done terribly (DOOM, House of the Dead etc.) Hit-man I think is perhaps one of the most potential licenses for films because there really is an incredible story there and yes I am a huge fan of the games and have played them all consistently and so I had high expectations of the film version despite my better judgment. The key to making this successful would be to take the best parts of the game story but also create their own back story and details and I think they tried very hard to do exactly that because the film is absolutely on par and does a terrific job with some minor flaws. The film's plot is a little bit complex...I mean you really have to watch to catch on early in the film what's going on. I'm not sure something like this should start out so complex or it could be considered very ambitious on the part of the film maker. Xavier Gens is not really an expert behind the camera...it seems like he's mostly still learning a lot about direction but still he does well with this film and I hope he keeps the reigns for future installments. The film jumps around a lot...from locale to locale and I know they are trying to keep the locations exotic and interesting but the constant moving makes it feel slapped together.
There was a lot of concern about Timothy Olyphant playing Agent 47, but I felt confident after seeing him rip up the screen as the villain in Live Free or Die Hard, one of the best action movies of all time. I think a lot of people changed their minds about Olyphant and he does very well as 47. I think he gives the character a little more life than what the game ever did, a little more personality but still has this brooding strength and this capable killing spirit which makes him incredible. If they replace him in the future installments it will be very hard to fill his shoes. Veteran character actor Dougray Scott is terrific as the cop close on the heels of 47 and determined to stop him. Scott and Olyphant just barely scratch the surface of what could be a terrific rivalry between the two men. I would have liked to have seen more between them which is why I hope they return for future installments. Olga Kurylenko is quite good as the witness needing protection by Agent 47. They keep the romance between them to a bare minimum which is good because I think romance would seriously take from Agent 47's personality. Ulrich Thomsen has a small role as the main villain and Agent 47's intended target. The villains in the film are numerous so he doesn't truly get to be the actual villain.
The film is appropriately dark and gritty and very violent. There is some really violent scenes which I think is a necessity for this film even if it cuts into a teenage demographic that won't see it. As expected they do play some homage to the video game including a rather forced and yet somehow amusing scene where he smashes through a window where two kids are playing Hit-man 2 on PS2. There is also a hallway scene where they set it up almost exactly like the perspective you would have played the game...a more subtle reference and artistic too. Agent 47 dons numerous disguises, kills indiscriminately when he needs to and despite the very complex plot it does all come together in the end. I think this might be one of the more ambitious video game to movie transitions and it has loads of potential to serialize the hell out of it but I would hate to see a different cast especially in the lead role. Unfortunately I have this feeling that is exactly what will happen. Still it has potential and definitely worth checking out for a fresh, ripping, hip action flick. Even if you've never heard of the game you can get hooked. 7.5/10
There was a lot of concern about Timothy Olyphant playing Agent 47, but I felt confident after seeing him rip up the screen as the villain in Live Free or Die Hard, one of the best action movies of all time. I think a lot of people changed their minds about Olyphant and he does very well as 47. I think he gives the character a little more life than what the game ever did, a little more personality but still has this brooding strength and this capable killing spirit which makes him incredible. If they replace him in the future installments it will be very hard to fill his shoes. Veteran character actor Dougray Scott is terrific as the cop close on the heels of 47 and determined to stop him. Scott and Olyphant just barely scratch the surface of what could be a terrific rivalry between the two men. I would have liked to have seen more between them which is why I hope they return for future installments. Olga Kurylenko is quite good as the witness needing protection by Agent 47. They keep the romance between them to a bare minimum which is good because I think romance would seriously take from Agent 47's personality. Ulrich Thomsen has a small role as the main villain and Agent 47's intended target. The villains in the film are numerous so he doesn't truly get to be the actual villain.
The film is appropriately dark and gritty and very violent. There is some really violent scenes which I think is a necessity for this film even if it cuts into a teenage demographic that won't see it. As expected they do play some homage to the video game including a rather forced and yet somehow amusing scene where he smashes through a window where two kids are playing Hit-man 2 on PS2. There is also a hallway scene where they set it up almost exactly like the perspective you would have played the game...a more subtle reference and artistic too. Agent 47 dons numerous disguises, kills indiscriminately when he needs to and despite the very complex plot it does all come together in the end. I think this might be one of the more ambitious video game to movie transitions and it has loads of potential to serialize the hell out of it but I would hate to see a different cast especially in the lead role. Unfortunately I have this feeling that is exactly what will happen. Still it has potential and definitely worth checking out for a fresh, ripping, hip action flick. Even if you've never heard of the game you can get hooked. 7.5/10