Rating: C-
Dir: Kevin Grevioux
Star: Alain Moussi, Frank Grillo, Marie Avgeropoulos, Shannon Kook
If you are looking for a thoroughly predictable, by-the-numbers action film, enlivened by a couple of moments of crunchy violence, which is otherwise largely forgettable, this one will be right in your wheel-house. I think I knew this, right from the moment top assassin Marcus Garan (Moussi) went home to his loving wife and daughter. They were just so adorable, you knew something terrible was about to befall them. And, lo, it quickly came to pass: Marcus blames himself for what happened and quits the assassin game. He then gets an offer from wealthy businessman Jorg Drakos (Grillo): $10 million for a hit. Marcus declines, but – wouldn’t you know it? – the daughter suddenly has an expensive medical condition.
You’ll understand why I was shaking my head sadly at all of this. There may also have been eye-rolling, not least because it’s quite chatty and takes a while to get to where it’s going. Which ends up being Japan – or, rather, “Japan”, since the production appears to have been 100% located in Ottawa. Even “Chicago” is represented by stock exterior footage. There, Marcus discovers three major wrinkles, none of which make complete sense, but whatever. Firstly, he’s just one of a group of assassins who have all been given the same contract, to take out the “King of Killers.” Secondly, the target is the man who hired them. And thirdly, anyone who tries to leave the “Tokyo” hotel in which they are accommodated, is terminated by snipers.
There is a purpose to this. It is only discovered at the end of the film, and I cannot honestly say it makes a great deal of sense. It does explain what happened to Mrs. Garan, and also why Stephen Dorff’s name and face are more prominent on the cover, than he is in the film. It’s clearly leaning towards a sequel, in which Dorff will likely play a more prominent role. Marks will be deducted for this: if a movie (especially one not adapted from a large work) cannot stand entirely on its own merits, that’s its problem, not the viewer’s. I was hardly left breathless with anticipation for King of Killers II, so do or do not. Whatever.
We know where this is going to go, from almost the moment Drakos is revealed as the target. Considering the lack of imagination everywhere else, you won’t be surprised here either. Some of the fights which result are decent, with occasional moments of impact which made Chris exclaim. Though there’s never much of a question about who’ll win and, again, logic is at a premium. For instance, why is Marcus the only one of the participants who has to fight a white-faced Japanese warrior woman (top)? This production is very much in need of someone like Scott Adkins at the centre instead of Moussi, who feels better suited as a sidekick or henchmen for now. Not as good as the trailer made it look, certainly.