Film Review: Hitman (2007)

Based on the video game HITMAN is an interesting mix of action film and comedy on par with THE TRANSPORTER or LEON, THE PROFESSIONAL. Timothy Olyphant is Agent 47 who is an assassin who has made himself across the globe killing off anyone he has been told to. He always accomplishes his objective and has never been found as witnessed by Mike Whittier (Dougray Scott) who has been tracking him down for several years and finally catches up to him when the organization the Agent works for wants him dead. When Agent 47 is set up by his own organization after an assassination that goes wrong he seeks the help of Nika Boronina (Olga Kurylenko) to help him bring the organization down even when he has to face other Agents just like himself.

HITMAN is one of the few video game adapted films that actually works well as a film on its own. Like the before mentioned THE TRANSPORTER it is a very fun action film with many stand out sequences amid the pedestrian and very familiar story and plot. Jacques Bufnoir's production design and Johann George's art direction elevate the film's look tremendously. With cinematographer Laurent Bares, director Xavier Gens has crafted an enjoyable (and yet brainless) action film in the vein of UNDER SIEGE or COMMANDO.

What makes the film so enjoyable also makes it another action film not worth more than one viewing because once you've seen one you've seen them all and this film offers nothing new that hasn't been seen and done before. It's good for ninety minutes of popcorn fun but don't expect to remember it once the popcorn's gone.