The Killing Machine (2010)

A Soviet-trained assassin is determined to escape his double life as a hitman and as a husband-father.

Director:

Dolph Lundgren

Writer:

Raul Inglis (as Raul Sanchez Inglis)

Stars:

Dolph Lundgren, Stefanie von Pfetten, Samantha Ferris

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dolph Lundgren	...	Edward Genn / Icarus
Stefanie von Pfetten	...	Joey (as Stefanie Von Pfetten)
Samantha Ferris	...	Kerr
David Lewis	...	Mr. Graham
Lindsay Maxwell	...	April
John Tench	...	Serge
Bo Svenson	...	Vadim
Katelyn Mager	...	Taylor
Monique Ganderton	...	Kim
Slavi Slavov	...	Oleg
Stephen Chang	...	John: Chinese Boss (as Stephen M.D. Chang)
Igor Morozov	...	Russian Officer
Mike Carpenter	...	Young Icarus
Marian Koprada	...	Young Vadim
Chantal Forde	...	Janet

Storyline

There were those who called him Icarus. Everyone else knew him as a divorced father working for an investment company. But they didn't know his other side-his dark side. Because Icarus was at his best when he was killing people. For years, he'd worked as a sleeper agent in America-but when the Soviet Empire collapsed, he found himself in a foreign country with no one to trust. Determined to break from his dark past, he started over with a new identity. But you can only escape your past for so long. When a sudden mishap in Hong Kong blows Icarus' identity, past and present collide - and the assassin realizes he is now the target. The people that want him dead will stop at nothing to get to him. And that means going after what he cares about most-his wife and daughter. Fighting for his life, Icarus is forced to face the demons of his past to protect the loved ones in his present. He must fight to save the only thing he's ever done right in his life. He needs to uncover who is after him ...

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Plot Keywords:

firearm | one man army | tough guy | pistol | semiautomatic pistol | 

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Taglines:

No one is safe.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Audio Visual Entertainment [Greece] Aurum Producciones [Spain]

Country:

Canada

Language:

English Russian

Release Date:

July 2010 (Indonesia)

Also Known As:

The Killing Machine

Filming Locations:

Langley, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$72,643

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinetel Films, Insight Film Studios, The Movie Network (TMN)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dolph Lundgren's original story and screenplay were completely rewritten upon the producers demand and a Canadian writer had to be hired.

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Goofs

The Beretta 92FS Inox pistol used by Icarus suddenly changes to a Taurus PT92 and then back to a 92FS Inox during a shootout.

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Quotes

Edward Genn: That's the funny thing about fate... if you don't follow, it will drag you where it wants to go.

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Alternate Versions

The German DVD and Blu-Ray version is presented in the wrong image aspect ratio of 1.78:1 instead of the original 2.35:1 (cinemascope) ratio, featured on the French DVD / BLu-ray edition.

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Connections

Referenced in Making of 'Icarus' (2010)

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Soundtracks

Undone
Written by Mark Lazeski and Mary Ancheta
Performed by Mark Lazeski and Mary Ancheta

User Reviews

Serviceable Action Junkfood

It makes sense for somebody whose a veteran actor of a specific genre to eventually be a producer, writer or director for said movie. Many a genre stalwart-Angela Bettis, Robert Englund, and Bruce Campbell have all taken a part of directing films, for better or for worse. So for someone like Dolph Lungren, it makes sense, as he's been a veteran of macho action films for a long time, and has already directed some titles in said genre. Which leads to this film, "The Killing Machine."

Dolph stars as Edward Genn, a divorced father and investment broker, whose living a double life. You see, he also used to be a dangerous KGB assassin known as "Icarus." Well, the past comes back to haunt him in the Russian mob, and when they go after his family, it's time to strike back.

As you can tell, "The Killing Machine" is pretty much your meat and potatoes style action/revenge movie. Thankfully, said meal isn't unappetizing, though it's certainly not spectacular. This comes from Anchor Bay, who at least seem to have an eye when it comes to direct to DVD action fair, in that said movies have good production values. It's also got enough bloody violence to satiate fans of mindless action fare, and it's all done with relish without feeling like overkill. Lundgren himself does a fine job as the former assassin, doing what he can with the rather basic material (though I had to turn on the subtitles whenever he delivered a monologue), and it's always fun to see Bo Svenson, here acting with a very unconvincing Russian accent. That's just fine though, as it adds to the escapist tone of the whole thing.

If there are any problems, it's the direction and a few other performances. Sure, Lundgren will always be a convincing bad ass, but as a director, there isn't a whole lot about his style that sticks out (though it's nice to see someone not resort to hyperactive editing choices), as it's all done straightforward to the point of feeling a bit vanilla. Also, Stefanie Von Pfetten and Lindsay Maxwell deliver performances that could only be described as "unsatisfactory at best." They're really bad here, and kinda drag thing down whenever they show up, though they are pretty attractive.

As a whole, "The Killing Machine" isn't bad for a weekend afternoon action movie. It's serviceable enough, though it's more passable than it is exciting to be honest.