Killer Elite is, after a fashion, based on a true story about a retired operative, Danny (Jason Statham) who goes back into the business when his mentor Hunter (Robert DeNiro) is being held hostage. Hunter took a $6 million job but did not carry it out. If Danny can do the mission, Hunter can be saved from execution.
Sheikh Amr is a deposed king living in Oman. He wants Danny to kill three SAS agents responsible for the deaths of his sons during the Dhofar Rebellion. He has to videotape their confessions, and their deaths have to look like accidents. The Sheikh is a dying man, and with this mission completed, his remaining son will be able to return to the region where his father ruled. And need I mention, the oil will flow.
The leader of the SAS is Spike (Clive Owen) and he is on to the plot fairly quickly, but at first doesn't know why anyone is after these former agents. and he must do it before the terminally ill Sheikh dies.
I'm sure I rented this film because of Clive Owen; it's a real blow 'em up, shoot 'em up movie with very tough characters. The acting is good, but I didn't feel as if I was able to learn much about the characters to make me care. Danny is involved with a young woman in Australia, and it seemed like a scene here and there were thrown in to give him some depth.
With today's technology, blowing things up, car chases, etc., are easy to do -- the hard part is putting a script together with an interesting story and compelling characters. Though Killer Elite had a big budget and stars, it doesn't quite pull off the interesting and compelling part.
Sheikh Amr is a deposed king living in Oman. He wants Danny to kill three SAS agents responsible for the deaths of his sons during the Dhofar Rebellion. He has to videotape their confessions, and their deaths have to look like accidents. The Sheikh is a dying man, and with this mission completed, his remaining son will be able to return to the region where his father ruled. And need I mention, the oil will flow.
The leader of the SAS is Spike (Clive Owen) and he is on to the plot fairly quickly, but at first doesn't know why anyone is after these former agents. and he must do it before the terminally ill Sheikh dies.
I'm sure I rented this film because of Clive Owen; it's a real blow 'em up, shoot 'em up movie with very tough characters. The acting is good, but I didn't feel as if I was able to learn much about the characters to make me care. Danny is involved with a young woman in Australia, and it seemed like a scene here and there were thrown in to give him some depth.
With today's technology, blowing things up, car chases, etc., are easy to do -- the hard part is putting a script together with an interesting story and compelling characters. Though Killer Elite had a big budget and stars, it doesn't quite pull off the interesting and compelling part.