The Killer’s Game Review: A Fun, Unserious Action Movie

As a gamer and action movie enthusiast with a soft spot for wrestler-turned-actors who’ve mastered the art of action-comedy, I must say Dave Bautista continues to impress me with his latest offering, The Killer’s Game. It’s like John Wick on a budget but with a dose of self-awareness and a healthy dash of humor that makes it stand out.

In a fresh and conversational tone, let’s rephrase: Dave Bautista stands out as one of the top wrestler-turned-actors currently in the industry. While we admire his dramatic performances in films like Dune, Blade Runner 2049, and Knock at the Cabin, he truly thrives when he delves into action-comedy roles. He’s shown exceptional talent in movies such as Stuber and the My Spy series, and he continues to impress in his upcoming film, The Killer’s Game. In this new project, super-assassin Joe Flood (Bautista) discovers that he has been misdiagnosed with a terminal illness. Thinking he only has a short time left, he hires an assassin to take him out. However, just before the hit is executed, he learns he’s not actually dying. Now, Joe must use his skills to fend off all the assassins who are still trying to kill him.

This movie is an enjoyable, light-hearted action flick that delivers on entertainment without getting bogged down by self-importance. When I heard about it, I knew I was in store for a good time. The concept of a hitman trying to survive as multiple assassins pursue them might be familiar to fans of the John Wick series. However, while John Wick offers stunning, ornate action scenes and stunning visuals, The Killer’s Game prioritizes fun over high production values.

In this film, the role of the director is taken on by J.J. Perry, who previously worked as a stuntman and made his directorial debut with Netflix’s vampire action-comedy titled Day Shift. The tone of this movie is similar, being quite lighthearted. The initial action scene in The Killer’s Game may appear a bit modest and not particularly impressive, but things pick up when the protagonist, Joe, encounters a dancer named Maize, portrayed by Sofia Boutella. Both Bautista and Boutella have collaborated with director Zack Snyder on Army of the Dead and Rebel Moon respectively, and it’s intriguing to see them together under a new director’s guidance. The pair displays unexpected chemistry and convincing romance in the early part of the film.

After receiving this diagnosis, we observe more of Bautista’s dramatic skills. Joe meets up with Marianna Antoinette, played by Pom Klementieff, who has a challenging history with him. Just like in the Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One last year, Klementieff appears to relish this role. She’s equally engaging here as she was there. Additionally, both actors have shared the screen previously in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where they portray Mantis and Drax respectively, two characters with contrasting personalities and interactions. They make a great pair for each other, and eventually, Marianna orders a hit on Joe.

There’s a funny idea that also feels similar to John Wick, where the characters have an app for killing similar to Uber. The Killer’s Game is also the king of character intros. We have many distinct killers who all have their own flavors. The way Perry introduces each of them, from how they kill people to the way their names appear on screen, is absolute gold. Once we cross the threshold and Joe is stuck in the thick of it, with bad guys closing in on him left and right, this is where the movie starts to have a ridiculous amount of fun.

This movie is packed with over-the-top, hilariously exciting violence – from grandiose killings to subtle details that enhance each action scene. Make no mistake, this isn’t a serious film; it’s a film where the main character demonstrates his skills and charisma in an entertaining fashion. It draws inspiration from the carefree fun and memorable one-liners of ’90s action movies, although it doesn’t quite reach the legendary status of those classics. Compared to other action films, The Killer’s Game might seem a bit flimsy, but its impressive stunts, cinematography, and action sequences make it far superior to the direct-to-DVD disappointment it could have been.

As a fan, I find this film shines brightest when it’s a whirlwind of unbridled action, tossing preposterous stunts against the wall and watching what sticks. We get an assembly line of assassins, some split-screen excitement, and let me tell you, Scott Adkins is always a fantastic addition to any action flick. However, it falters in its predictability. The action sequences can lack tension because it’s one unstoppable chaos with a hero who seems invincible and has no apparent vulnerabilities. Additionally, while the character-driven storyline worked well initially, the writers attempted to reintroduce it during the climax, but unfortunately, that fell flat compared to the first act.

From my perspective as a fan, this film takes an unexpected turn, leaning heavily on romantic themes that seemed forced and peculiar. However, it absolutely shines when it focuses on making us laugh out loud. It’s a rollercoaster of action packed fun with a straightforward storyline.

SCORE: 7/10

According to the explanation of ComingSoon’s review policy, a rating of 7 translates to “Good.” This means it’s an enjoyable piece of entertainment that’s generally worth watching, but its appeal might not be universal, as individual tastes can vary.

2024-09-17 00:40

SCORE: 7/10

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