Set in 1980 during the global oil crisis, Danny is enjoying his life as a retired members of Britain's Elite Special Air Service. But when his mentor is taken captive he is forced to spring into action. His lone mission: kill the assassins responsible for a family's massacre.
The plot sounds simple enough; however, let it be known that for a Jason Statham movie Killer Elite is both confusing and without merit. Granted director Gary McKendry had no interest in conveying a powerful message by the end of his almost two hour feature, but that doesn't justify its pure existence either.
I will admit that I love Jason Statham's action films. The Bank Job, Crank and The Mechanic are three of my favorite shoot-'em-up thrillers, and there is no denying the fun that can be had while watching The Expendables. But with Killer Elite we are given very little action and way too much dialogue.
In short, the story becomes a victim to itself as characters enter and exit without so much as an introduction. The main reason behind the killings is a true question mark for much of the film and the lone fight sequence worth watching lasts a mere minute. A rooftop chase scene provides a small glimpse of the Statham we know and love, but it is over before we ever realize exactly what we were being offered.
Clive Owen is far above projects such as this, as is Robert DeNiro. Neither stand a chance against Statham, though the film likes to play as if they do. I couldn't wait to see the credits roll, or in this case a sum-up text page that details the whereabouts of our surviving few. When the screen finally went black I left the theater feeling neither entertained or impressed. I honestly just wanted everyone to pull the trigger at the same time to rid us all of the chaos.
I give the film a 58 for the occasional spurts of action and the lone intriguing fight scene. Sadly there is nothing else worth complimenting.
