Shooter

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Danny Glover, Michael Pena, Elias Koteas, Rade Serbedzija, Ned Beatty, Kate Mara
Directed by: Antoine Fuqua
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Thriller
2007

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Bob Lee Swagger (Mark Wahlberg) is an expert marksman who has been framed for an assassination. On the run, he must track down the real killer before it is too late.

Review:

Tim: I’ve never been a huge fan of Mark Wahlberg. While I’ve slightly, slightly warmed to him in recent years, I still don’t love seeing him on screen, especially when he’s trying to portray a character far tougher than he really is (for example, here). The movie is an action/thriller about an attempted assassination, but it never really clicks. In fact, the movie is almost totally forgettable. You might be slightly interested while watching it, but I dare you to recall details or scenes three months after you see it. It is hard to do. The movie just does not stick with you. Part of the reason is because everything we see has been done before, and usually, in much better fashion. This is a middling little movie that doesn’t do anything great, and instead, tries to do as little wrong as possible.

Wahlberg is decent, but he’s not great. We do end up rooting for him, but why, I’m not really sure. This probably has something to do with at least a halfhearted attempt by Danny Glover to play the bad guy. He’s more effective as a protagonist, however. I did like seeing Michael Pena, and his role and performance were actually both enjoyable.

Shooter has a few decent action scenes, but these aren’t the kind that you will remember. They will mostly keep you interested throughout the duration of the film, but with a slight tinge of boredom as you watch. The movie doesn’t conjure up enough emotion. In short, this is a forgettable movie that tells a recycled story with a second-tier cast. If that sounds all right with you, then you might just like this flick.



Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: The Departed, Four Brothers, The Italian Job