Better Luck Next Time

The Gunman

In 2008 the world was given the rejuvenation of a brilliant acting career. Thought never really forgotten, said actor was catapulted back into the limelight in the most interesting way. Known more for the dramatic roles that this actor has listed on his resume, it was a French/American action film that brought this actor back from mediocrity. I know that we have spoken about him before and if he keeps making movies like Taken than Liam Neeson will always be a topic of conversation. This year another well known, but hidden, actor is trying his hand at renewal through action and ironically through the same director from Taken. Open Road Films would like to introduce you to, The Gunman.

Jim Terrier (Sean Penn Milk) is a gun for hire in the Democratic Republic of Congo paid to protect a humanitarian group. However, Terrier’s contract takes a turn when his company is hired to assassinate Congo’s Minister of Mining. After taking the shot, Terrier is asked to drop everything, including the love of his life Annie (Jasmine Trinca You Can’t Save Yourself Alone), and flee Africa all together. Making his way back to Congo eight years later, Terrier assumes that his past is far behind him and decides to help build water wells for unfortunate tribes across the country. Terrier is seriously mistaken about his past and when he is attacked in Congo, Terrier begins a journey to find out why someone would want to dig around in his murky past.

So let me first say that this movie wasn’t as horrific as a lot of other film critics are making it out to be. Of course I will agree that this movie could have been better, but it wasn’t Razzie worthy. The plot was typical and over played, but the fight/action scenes were exceptional. I half expected to watch something that should be buried within the depths of Netflix, but I was actually pleasantly surprised that it was watchable.

Penn does a decent job on his first real go round with hardcore action like this. I always thought that he had that war harden look about him and believed that given the right opportunity he would deliver an above average action film. I am going to write this up as a mulligan for Penn and hope that he takes another crack at this genre. Penn is very believable as Terrier due to his presence, but Penn needs a better script to back him up.

Director Pierre Morel (Taken), however, I will not give a pass on this movie. Morel should know better than this script. Morel has produced some of the best action movies over the past decade like Taken and District B13. Morel has also been a part of some other great action films too, so this half thrown together script that seems more like the plot of a season of 24. Morel films some respectable action scenes, but fails to get his audience to care about anything else but bullets being fired.

Mr. Penn please allow yourself the chance to accept another role in a fast paced action film. You looked realistic in the action scenes and you have an action star presence. Just pick a better script than this please. This script should have been on TV and it has no place on the movie screen. Thank you.

Sorry, I’m back. If you are looking to pass some time or just waste time altogether, The Gunman is your best bet. Brutal action scenes and an even more brutal plot will give you just enough escape from time. Some of you may feel that time is precious and to those of you that think that way skip it because you will hate it.

The Verdict: Watch on Netflix.