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Videogame movies are so much fun. Whether it's Resident Evil: Extinction, Silent Hill, or Ballistics: Ecks vs. Sever, the film is almost invariably going to disappoint us, and end up leaving a bitter taste in your mouth. Usually, though, the film is attempting to either incorporate a detailed plot, or tries to translate the fun of being in an interactive environment into a non-interactive medium.

Well, simply put, Hitman has always been about killing people. If it wasn't, then I'd say the title was a huge tease and promptly condemn it to the bargain bin. And if I know Hollywood, they love to film people being shot in all sorts of manners. So, what could possibly go wrong -- Hitman and Hollywood could potentially be a match made in Heaven!

Hitman (film)
Directed by Xavier Gens
Written by Skip Woods
Released November 21, 2007

Hitman was an enjoyable movie, I'll give it that. For those of you who have never heard of the series, Agent 47 (played by Timothy Olyphant) is an assassin trained from childhood to work for "The Agency," performing any number of hits all across the world. Of course, Interpol isn't too happy about this, and is constantly pursuing the man, even though they have no clues.

The bulk of the movie takes place in Moscow, where Agent 47 is assigned to assassinate the Russian president. All the while, Interpol agent Mike Whittier (played by Dougray Scott) and the Russian FSB, lead by Yuri Marklov (played by Robert Knepper). That's the barebones version of the plot, as otherwise you start to get into spoiler area.

One of the rules of screenwriting, as my teacher told me, is to use flashbacks, dream sequences, and voice overs sparingly. Hitman is 95% flashback, though. It gets to the point where I completely forgot what the opening minutes of the show was about, or its significance, about half way through the film. This leads to my qualification of the film as "enjoyable" but not necessarily "good." The story is set up fine, for the most part. There aren't huge gaps in logic that need to be jumped, and there are actually a few plot twists and turns, however predictable they may be.

Apart from Agent 47, Mike Whittier, and Yuri Marklov, the rest of the characters in the movie are relatively flat and secondary. Other agents do appear in the movie, but they're just punching bags meant for show. Even Nika Boronina, the main female lead, is just there to be the object of a few snide remarks and to be a pair of tits on-screen. She serves no other purpose, honestly.

Which brings me to my biggest problem with the film: Agent 47 shouldn't be showing emotion. Yet for some reason -- most likely the need to show tits on-screen -- Agent 47 doesn't kill her right away, and in fact takes her with him wherever he goes. This also leads us to the problem of Timothy Olyphant trying to display emotions, a skill he doesn't seem to have a great hold on in the film. His "angry" face is nothing more than laughable with a shaved head.

Otherwise, the film goes as I'd expect the games do (I haven't gotten to play them myself). Agent 47 has to kill a target, and so he sneaks and blasts his way through to whoever he needs to find. There were a few things that I balked at when it came to 47's preparations -- like hiding pistols in ice chests at the hotel. Otherwise, though, I left the film with a small sense of longing. I had hoped to see more interesting uses of Agent 47's training, as opposed to having him do some fancy fighting moves. The beginning provides a great example of the innovation in assassination that I'm talking about, but then the rest of the film fails to follow up.

The plot could have been developed further, and the case that the film focuses on could've been shortened. I would've loved to see more of a backstory behind Agent 47's training and upbringing. It's hinted and alluded to in some flashbacks, but it's never fully explained. That was probably the greatest tease of the whole film, and it saddens me that it was never fully developed. Hopefully they will in the future, though.

The film is mostly just packed with explosions, fighting, and some tits thrown in there to make the 14-year-old boys who snuck in happy. While this sounds craptacular, the film is done competently. The camerawork is good, and the action doesn't get to be gratuitious. While the plot isn't very strong, there are no serious screw ups, and it stays faithful to the basic concept of what the game is about. If more videogame films would follow Hitman and cut down on the cheesiness, then the films would turn out much better. You can still have references to the games and other nerd culture items, just be smart about it. For example, I loved the nod to Jin Roh: The Wolf Brigade, with the FSB's uniforms.

If you're planning on seeing this, be sure to like explosions, guns, and fights. Also, tits. To be honest, though, they're not that exciting, so don't go just for the tits. Hitman is a step in the right direction for videogame films, but there's still a long way to go.

Rating: 6.0









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56 comments | showing # 1 to 50
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Cyberxion's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 21:24
Cyberxion
Wah, there's a Hitman movie?
Brad Rice's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 21:25
Brad Rice
Yeah, it came out last week. Completely missed your radar?
Cyberxion's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 21:33
Cyberxion
Perhaps, in that it's not even really on it. I was just using terribly executed sarcasm to illustrate that point.

Good review though. Your issues with the film are consistent with the other reviews that I've read. I'm just sort of indifferent myself, not really being a fan of the series, which seems to be the angle from which you approached the film.
Cyberxion's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 21:35
Cyberxion
What I mean to say is that not having anything invested in the character, it seems that all it boils down to is a reasonably competent action film, and I've seen enough of those to tide me over for awhile.
MrSadistic's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 21:36
MrSadistic
The day they actually get the Hitman formula right, (i.e. stealth kills instead of blowing shit up) then maybe I'll give a Hitman movie a chance.
UglyDuck's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 21:40
UglyDuck
Just one question... if you "haven't gotten to play them" yourself, how are you qualified to do this review? I know that's on par with me calling you out even though I haven't seen the film, but I'm not acusing, I'm just asking. Wouldn't it have been better for you to at least speedrun the games first?
bleep's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 21:42
bleep
Hopefully they will in the future, though.

you're welcoming them to make a sequel of this shlock craptacular BS

and Timothy Olyphant where have I seen him before??

oh right The Porn guy from GIRL NEXT DOOR....and he was in DREAMCATCHER which also sucked.....

Hollywood (I live and work here) is really trying to make what they think will sell instead of making something worthwhile that will sell on its own merit which is really disheartening...

if you want to see something a lot cooler and more original than HitMan...go see The Mist its badass!!!
Edarios's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 21:50
Edarios
It could have been a lot worse, so i'd say average and up - good video game movie.

lets hope they keep getting better and better, and not fall back into the pit resident evil and street fighter call home.


@ UglyPhil - rofl.
liam2015's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 21:57
liam2015
LOL. I'm fourteen AND I snuck into the movie.

The movie was pretty decent. Decent meaning it stuck somewhat to the games plot, and he killed some people in pretty cool ways at points. But WHY did he have emotion? If he's a clone, born and raised to KILL WHY would he fall for some russian chick that somehow falls FOR HIM.

There was also an extremely stupid sequence in which there is a mexican standoff, but then they drop their guns and fight each other with katanas they had conveinently hidden behind their backs.

But I agree with this review, this is probably the best video game based-movie I've ever seen, which Isn't saying alot.
JJ Rage's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 21:58
JJ Rage
@MrSadistic


I've never had to blow things up to play the Hitman games. Perhaps you're doing it wrong?
Cyberxion's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 21:59
Cyberxion
Granted we're on a gaming-centric website here, and of course the chances are that any of us who are interested in seeing the movie are only interested because they're fans of the source. That said, as someone who's not a fan of the Hitman series, I appreciate a review from someone who's perception of the film isn't tainted one way or the other by preconceived notions about how it should have gone down. He's reviewing it based purely upon how everything comes together, and I dig that.

Maybe someone who's a fan should step up and review it in order to give us the perspective of someone who's played the games, if only to appease those interested in finding out how it shapes up as an adaptation. It wouldn't matter one way or the other to me though, as I'm in the same boat as McVengeance.
MrSadistic's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 22:02
MrSadistic
@JJ Rage


I meant that the movie should be like the games, meaning, using stealth and being all slick like, instead of what the movie was: a cliche action movie with a bald douche bag.
liam2015's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 22:04
liam2015
Cyberxion is right. My freinds who I saw the movie with describe it as 'great', when it really wasn't. They both loved the Hitman games.
Daniel Husky Lingen's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 22:05
Daniel Husky Lingen
I hereby vote for a Pirate it! tag
liam2015's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 22:08
liam2015
I second that notion, this film is definitely worth pirating
Y0j1mb0's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 22:11
Y0j1mb0
The movie is garbage.I've seen it and played the games. My advice rent The Professional and /or The Killer instead for your "Hitman Theatrics."
vexed alex's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 22:14
vexed alex
"If you're planning on seeing this, be sure to like explosions, guns, and fights."

I'm a fan of action movies. Tits I can see whenever. All I have to do is ask a certain someone who's really close to me, but not my relative. It starts with a G and ends with a D.

I think I might go see this next weekend. I have nothing to do, really.
bleep's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 22:16
bleep
haha yeah The Professional is what Hitman wishes it could be
PrinceofCannedPeaches's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 22:20
PrinceofCannedPeaches
@Cyberxion
If I get a chance, I'll deliver my fanboyism-tainted review after I see it this Friday. If I see it this Friday.
Brad Rice's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 22:30
Brad Rice
There are some movies where I agree it's necessary to play the games before watching the movie. Hitman is certainly not one of them. As you guys point out, Hitman doesn't have a terribly exciting plot, so taking a look at this solely as a film is what was more important, in my mind.

Something like Silent Hill, on the other hand, requires a greater knowledge of the game, because the story is such a centerpiece of the whole thing.

I feel like games that are really based around interactivity (Trauma Center) or story (Phoenix Wright) necessitate playing through the game(s), because a comparison between the source material and the final product is vital to the film's success/failure.

On the other hand, things like the Mario Bros. movie and Hitman don't need that comparison between the source and the final product, because they're meant to be inspirations and adaptations, not a strict retelling.

@Phil: It's fine if you try to call me out. That's what the site is about. You're free to interact with us and we'll respond.
BADInc's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 22:35
BADInc
it was a fun watch but its definately nothing special. And i still dont like that they picked olyphant to be agent 47
codespinneker's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 22:40
codespinneker
It was an okay movie, better than the pitiful scores its getting on rottentomatoes and better than I expected but still full of flaws. as a source of mindless entertainment I give this movie an A as an actual movie I give it a c-, watchable but only if you go with at least one friend.
BlueWolf72's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 22:41
BlueWolf72
I found the movie to be worth watching. Just like any game things could of been better same applies to movies.
Bob Muir's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 22:45
Bob Muir
Strangely enough, your review works out to be Roger Ebert's score, just on a 10-scale instead of a 5-scale. Of course, at least you have some good reasons instead of the usual "blah video games are bad" reason.
Mike Maloney's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 22:45
Mike Maloney
I thought the movie was fine. Wasn't great, wasn't horrible. I ended up seeing it at a pre-screening, because I definitely don't think it was worth paying for. I was disappointed with Olyphant's performance, just because I always liked him in Deadwood, and there just wasn't much there for him in the movie.

So yeah, I went in with mild expectations, and that's pretty much what I got. I wouldn't recommend paying money to go see this, but it might be worth a rental.
nagolttam's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 22:54
nagolttam
I thought that this was a good videogame adaptation. As a movie itself though it was decent. I'd rank this second after Silent Hill for best game to movie adaptations.

Side note: Whose Patrick Olyphant?
Cowzilla3's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 22:55
Cowzilla3
You were a little kinder than I was, though I agree mostly. I'm still not sure if Olyphant wasn't acting or was acting really well. Your screenwriting instructor was totally wrong though. Hong Kong action cinema uses the flashback non-stop to great effect, the difference is when they use it they're doing it for impact, often flashing back to things you've already seen instead of actual story. Though my prof told me the same thing too when I was doing screenwriting...of course by that logic Memento is the worst movie ever.
Cyberxion's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 22:55
Cyberxion
@PrinceofCannedPeaches

And I honestly look forward to reading it. If you write it.
Clockwork's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 23:34
Clockwork
Bewbs.
e-Thug's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 23:35
e-Thug
I liked the movie. I'm buying the DVD when it's released.
xmetninjax's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 23:38
xmetninjax
I thought it sucked. The script was awful and cheesy. So was the swordfight scene, which I laughed at. 47 even showed mercy at one point, and he NEVER shows mercy. I just wish there was more action, less love story, and more background stuff.
Vesty's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/27/2007 23:57
Vesty
I enjoyed it as an action flick. I played the Hitman games enough to get the point but never finished any. That said I thought it was about being a silent assassin but apparently not so much in this movie. Also wtf's up with the Russian police looking like super soldiers/football players.And most of the movie is in St. Petersburg btw, not Moscow, though it all looks the same to me.
Tekoa's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/28/2007 00:03
Tekoa
@vexed alex

garfield tits? eewww!
Hamsizzla's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/28/2007 00:16
Hamsizzla
RENT IT?! RENT IT?!
Hoss's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/28/2007 00:35
Hoss
@ vexed... God? is that why people pray? damn ive been missing out
Samit Sarkar's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/28/2007 00:39
Samit Sarkar
This also leads us to the problem of Patrick Olyphant trying to display emotions, a skill he doesn't seem to have a great hold on in the film.

Um...it’s Timothy Olyphant. You must’ve just had a brain fart, since you got it right in the first paragraph of the review.

@bleep: Timothy Olyphant also played the villain in Live Free or Die Hard.

@Necros: Actually, no...Ebert gave it a much better score than DMV did; Ebert rates movies on a 4-star scale (the standard “poor/fair/good/excellent” scale). So Ebert effectively gave it a 7.5/10.
blueskies's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/28/2007 01:15
blueskies
I personally don't hold some of Timothy Olyphant's bad movies over his head. He's earned himself my admiration via Deadwood.
Fading Star's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/28/2007 01:34
Fading Star
I might watch this movie. Thanks Dick.
Steel Squirrel's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/28/2007 02:17
Steel Squirrel
I liked it.
I thought it was going to be utter shit, so I was pleased with the end result.

Also..... Olga Kurylenko is fucking sexay.
mrkonchu's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/28/2007 02:56
mrkonchu
I watched it and enjoyed it its what I expected it had some nods to the game throughout. Its worth seeing in the theater for some so if you need a ok to good cheesy action movie with boobies a Matinee of Hitman might hit the spot.
boatorious's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/28/2007 06:35
boatorious
Is it a good action movie?

One thing I like about game reviews is that nobody ever pans a racing game because it's not an RPG.

But this is an epidemic in movie reviews -- as if all the gunplay and explosions are just a distraction from the plot and acting we were hoping to see.
tehArtist's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/28/2007 08:22
tehArtist
I'm a fan of the Game Series. I love the greatness of the Hitman Franchise. I must say, Dick hit the movie right on the Head. He is dead on with the way everything comes together in the film. I am disappointed with all the explosions ect, because the Hitman Games were more of a stealth based Franchise. In the end however, Hitman was still fairly true to the game.

Although, Tim was not the proper choice to play hitman. The dude from Transporter, he would have been awesome (Jason Statham). Tim just didn't have the right build for the part, he also appeared to be awkward in many scenes of the movie.
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/28/2007 08:37
Holyetheline
6 Is better than I was expecting. Wow.
Sharkaac's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/28/2007 08:58
Sharkaac
This movie was OK, I agree with the review; mostly. However, I don't agree with it having good action. I mean what happened to the good old days when action scenes were more than 10min broken up with 5min of talking and "drama". Action used to be 30min action scenes with NON-STOP action (ex: Face/off, Saving Private Ryan, Terminator's) and very little talking, other than screaming or characters saying "RUN!" Movies have become very expensive to make, and action movies are taking the biggest hit. They need to think of something.
Ocified-Xboxer's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/28/2007 09:40
Ocified-Xboxer
If you have never played the games, then how can you say something 'it stays true to what the games are about"? I'm calling shenannigans on this review. Get someone who loves the games to review this. I've been playing the Hitman series since Codename 47 and love the series. I haven't had the time to see the flick yet though.

How on Gods green Earth could Dtoid send someone to review this who has never played the games?
Radius Zero's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/28/2007 11:23
Radius Zero
Actually the movie needed more boob shots.
Eschatos's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/28/2007 13:06
Eschatos
What's sad is that the trailer interested me, so I downloaded the first game from Gametap. After this, I have no desire to play/see either.
Ocified-Xboxer's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/28/2007 13:55
Ocified-Xboxer
Eschatos-the first game is very rough. it was great 7 years ago, but by todays standard its a tough pill to swallow. if you have a 360 i suggest you pick up 'hitman:blood money' or the last one on the regular xbox 'hitman:contracts'. If youre new to the series Codename 47 plays different, and looks bad, but that is only because it came out in 1999-2000. check out one of the 2 I suggested. It's a great series, and 47 is a great character!
Big Z's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/28/2007 14:17
Big Z
I've never played Blood Money, but I remember Contracts being a fucking bastard. I never could get past the Kirov Park mission.
Big Z's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/28/2007 14:20
Big Z
Upon inspection of my game collection I actually own Silent Assassin, not Contracts. My mistake, please write off my comment.
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