Review by Jon Donnis
The Killer's Game is a wild, action-packed romp that doesn't take itself too seriously, and that's exactly where its charm lies. Dave Bautista plays Joe Flood, a seasoned hitman who's thrown into an absurdly chaotic situation after being diagnosed with a terminal illness. In a moment of twisted practicality, Joe decides to put a hit out on himself so his girlfriend, Maize (played by Sofia Boutella), can collect the life insurance. However, the story quickly spirals out of control when Joe finds out the diagnosis was wrong, and he's not dying at all. Now, with an army of assassins gunning for him, including some of his most lethal colleagues, Joe must fight to survive while trying to win Maize back after pushing her away.
The movie starts with Joe carrying out a hit in Budapest, which seems like business as usual for the assassin, but things change after he meets Maize, a dancer whose life he saves during the mission. They begin a romance that brings some much-needed warmth to Joe's life, but this is quickly overshadowed when his doctor informs him that he has a fatal illness. Devastated and unsure how to deal with his diagnosis, Joe's solution is to have a hit put out on himself, hoping it will leave Maize financially secure. His mentor and handler Zvi (Ben Kingsley) refuses to help with the request, so Joe turns to another assassin, Marianna Antoinette (Pom Klementieff), a woman with a personal grudge against him because he killed her father years ago. She agrees to send out the hit, but things escalate when Joe learns that his test results were mixed up and he's actually perfectly healthy. By the time Joe realises his mistake, it's too late. The contract is live, and killers from across Europe are coming after him.
This sets off a series of explosive, fast-paced action sequences where Joe has to defend himself against relentless assassins. Among the killers are the cold-blooded Korean hitman Goyang (Lee Hoon), the brutal Hungarian brothers on motorcycles, and the Scottish Mackenzie brothers (Scott Adkins and Drew Galloway 'Drew McIntyre'). These scenes are where the film truly shines, with Bautista's physicality and charisma front and centre. The fight choreography is slick and inventive, making full use of Bautista's skills, and each battle is bigger and more outrageous than the last. The tone remains lighthearted, though, with plenty of comedic moments woven into the action, especially in the interactions between the assassins.
Things get even more complicated when Joe's now ex-girlfriend Maize becomes a target too. After Joe tries to break up with her to protect her from the chaos, Maize finds herself caught in the crossfire when more hitmen, including the slick and experienced Lovedahl (Terry Crews), come after her. Maize turns out to be more capable than expected, fighting back and even incapacitating one of her would-be killers, but she's soon kidnapped by Lovedahl, raising the stakes for Joe. Desperate to save her, Joe teams up with Zvi to set traps and prepare for the inevitable showdown at a castle, where a host of assassins converge. These scenes are some of the film's most exciting, as Joe takes out each assassin in increasingly elaborate ways, all while trying to stay ahead of Marianna's ever-growing hit list.
The casting in The Killer's Game is spot on. Bautista is fantastic as the rugged, yet surprisingly tender, Joe, and Sofia Boutella brings heart to her role as Maize, a woman who's more than capable of holding her own. The supporting cast, including Terry Crews, Pom Klementieff, and Ben Kingsley, all shine, adding layers of charisma and humour to their characters. The fight scenes are superbly choreographed, with each one more creative and brutal than the last, balancing violence with just the right amount of comedy to keep things entertaining.
However, the film does have its shortcomings. The plot is wildly predictable, and it's riddled with holes that you can't think too much about, or the whole thing unravels. But it's clear from the start that this isn't a movie meant to be analysed deeply. It's a film that's all about fun, action, and spectacle. Critics may harp on the lack of depth or subtlety, but for anyone in the mood for an old-fashioned, action-packed thrill ride, The Killer's Game delivers exactly that.
All in all, The Killer's Game is an absolute blast. It's loud, ridiculous, and full of over-the-top action, but it's also got heart, humour, and a fantastic cast that make it a genuinely enjoyable experience. If you can overlook the predictable plot and just roll with the madness, it's a thoroughly fun film. I give it a solid 9 out of 10.
Out Now on Apple TV at https://apple.co/4eznzdf
