The Killer's Game

This is a fun little movie, isn't very original nor very memorable but fun while it is on. To be clear, this had to be filmed as a movie not intended to go to theaters but it was better than expected. Dave Bautista, while looking odd, does a great job as he finally gets an action movie where he is the lead man

The plot is simple, introducing zany comic book type assisins and then killing them off in incresingly comically violent ways. Ben Kingsley and a Catholic priest are the comic relief and surprisingly that works really well, some good laughs. Scott Adkins and Terry Crews have smaller roles but always bring something fun to their performances.

I also appreciated the excessing grenade use in this film. I feel in real life hitmen would use grenades instead of exposing themselves for a gunfight. It is a movie of course, but eveyrone uses grenades first, and I approve of that.

You don't have to go to a theater to see it, but definately watch it when it comes to home video or streaming as it is a fun watch. There was scattered applause when the credits rolled and others seemed to generally like it.

I was expecting that JJ Perry having been in the army would actually know something about how weapons work, especially fragmentation grenades, but I was sadly disappointed. Also, as a stunt guy, I was thinking he could come up with cool but realistic stunts. But again, the stunts were contrived and defied physics.

I loved Bautista in GotG, Drax had depth, where Joe, an assassin, was BORING and predictable. Sofia's acting is a step up from David's, but still was a low for her. Again, this could have been the result of really poor directing.

Ben Kingsley and Alex Kingston consummate professionals that don't need a director, performed excellently. They accounted for a star by themselves.

Good concept bumbled by a over reaching stunt man.

The Killer's Game delivers straightforward action with enough entertainment to keep you watching, though it's nothing revolutionary. The fight scenes are decent, but not on par with the gold standard that is John Wick. The cast of quirky assassins that span the world add some fun, almost like they're from Street Fighter just with less depth. Dave Bautista does his usual tough-guy routine, and while he's good, it's familiar territory for him.

The concept-an assassin accidentally putting a hit on himself due to a medical mistake-is unique, but the execution is predictable. There are laughs and a few solid action moments, but nothing that really stands out.

Overall, it's a fun and gory film that's enjoyable if you're looking for an easy, action-filled watch. Just don't expect it to leave a lasting impression.

I'll say at least this for Dave Batista, he has great comedic timing. Is that enough to make him a leading man. All I can say is i already miss the muscle mass.

The strange part was watching Batista fake what he use to do on a nightly basis in a wrestling ring. I mean, despite losing 75 libs he's still a big man who stands out in a crowd making it far too easy to notice when a stuntman is being use for a simple body slam. Hollywood has tamed the animal.

On a positive note However, the action was good and the movie was funny. I thought it was perfect that the movie knew what it was to the point that it poked fun at itself. That just gave it the charm needed to cover up whatever it was missing

A cool watch.

"The Killer's Game" is an action-comedy film that had to go through a series of changes in development before eventually reaching post-production. Negotiated initially by Broad Green Pictures in 2015, the project changed hands a couple of times until STXfilms acquired it in 2018. The film was supposed to star Jason Statham but Statham left so Dave Baptista had to come in as the lead.

The story follows Joe Flood, a veteran hitman diagnosed with fatal diseases. Desperate to avoid such a painful death, Joe arranges for an assassin to kill him, but after placing the kill order, he finds out his diagnosis was a mistake, and he is healthy. However, the kill contract cannot be repealed now, and Joe becomes a target for other highly professional assassins, many of whom he taught himself. The plot follows Joe's fight for survival as he attempts to outrun his pursuers, reflecting on a life as a killer. Down the road, he finds out who set up the false diagnosis and uncovers a deeper conspiracy.

The film merges scenes of intense violence with humor while maintaining an over-the-top, comic book-like aesthetic. The storyline is not new, and it's predictable, but it's fun to watch because of the action sequences, visuals, and over-the-top characters.

The fight scenes, choreographed by J. J. Perry from a background in stunt coordination, are particularly praised for visceral impact and creativity. The movie has loud lighting and fun camera work, adding to the overall stylized view and blended sense of dark humor inside the action.

Perhaps the highlight of the movie is Dave Bautista as Joe Flood. So well-known for his stoic, humor-filled character, Bautista imbues vulnerability into the man, who is struggling to come to terms with his impending death while trying to protect a loved one, Maize, played by Sofia Boutella.

This chemistry adds emotion to the otherwise action-heavy plot. Ben Kingsley, who plays the role of mentor to Joe, manages to bring gravitas with wit in his scenes. Even when some characters, like Maize, enjoy relatively less screen time, their presence is of immense importance to the emotional core of the movie.

Despite the simplicity of its plot, "The Killer's Game" is a movie that reflects on mortality, love, and redemption. Joe is a lifelong hitman who reflects on his violent past and a chance at redemption through his relationship with Maize. Most of all, there are even religious undertones in the movie, most especially in the last act, where a priest becomes an ally to Joe.

On the whole, "The Killer's Game" is an entertaining, very mild action film that does not contain deep philosophical insights but does entertain its viewers by the blend of humor and conceptualized action with very powerful performances.

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