‘Old Guy’ Review: Christoph Waltz and Cooper Hoffman Star in a Simon West-Helmed Action-Comedy That Fails on Both Fronts

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Dear Quentin Tarantino,
Please consider returning to filmmaking at your earliest convenience and pen another captivating role for the talented Christoph Waltz. Looking forward to more of your exceptional work!

The situation arises due to the release of “Old Guy,” an action-comedy with mediocre quality (a genre that requires exceptional execution to succeed). In this film, the two-time Oscar winner takes on the role of Danny Dolinski, a veteran hitman grappling with a midlife crisis. Danny is dealing with arthritis and has undergone joint fusion surgery, making it excruciating for him to use a gun. To add insult to injury, his boss, Ann Akinjirin, informs him that after 30 years of service, his days in the workplace are limited, and he must train a significantly younger protege.

She tells him, “We’re moving towards a more youthful approach throughout,” her tone echoing that of Elon Musk speaking to former employees of a government department.

Filmmakers have often believed that professional killers share our concerns about aging and job stability. However, regardless of how captivating an actor like Waltz may be, it’s challenging to empathize with the struggles of a murderer, especially when he appears kind and comforting to a young girl moments before taking her grandfather’s life.

Absolutely, Greg Johnson’s screenplay leans more towards comedy rather than sentiment, but it could work if it had the sharp humor found in movies like Grosse Pointe Blank. However, here, the cleverness seems scarce. The only instance that might be considered funny is when the younger hitman sarcastically calls Danny “Obi-Wan”, but this may not resonate as hilarious with many viewers.

Wihlborg, referred to simply by this name, is portrayed as a “young assassin sensation” despite his tendency to unintentionally harm innocent people. Nicknamed “Gen Z” mockingly by Danny, he exhibits quirks such as brightly painted fingernails and a miniature racecar pendant around his neck. Portrayed by Cooper Hoffman, who appears even more youthful due to his boyish features despite being 21 years old, he previously showcased his emerging abilities in the movie “Licorice Pizza.” However, some might argue that he is not ideally suited for this role. An exceptional bowler and mathematician, yes. A skilled assassin, no.

The dynamic between Danny and Wihlborg often leads to confrontations, since Danny clings stubbornly to his high standing and Wihlborg finds it frustrating that his trainer won’t acknowledge his weaknesses. Danny is a type of unrestrained, heavy-drinking pleasure seeker who frequently finds himself surrounded by undressed women when he wakes up, while Wihlborg views his body as sacred and abhors alcohol and carbohydrates. The movie tries to elicit laughter from their contrasting lifestyles, but it doesn’t manage to do so very effectively.

Despite being helmed by Simon West, known for his action-packed films like “Con Air” and “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider”, the film “Old Guy” falls short in delivering excitement. It’s packed with gruesome violence, but it lacks the thrill and has significant pacing issues. Moreover, the emotional connection is weakened when Danny and Wihlborg put aside their conflicts after being betrayed by their employer, making it hard for viewers to fully engage emotionally.

Lucy Liu appears as Anata, a long-time acquaintance of Danny’s character. However, it’s challenging to identify Anata’s role in the narrative. She seems to accompany Danny without much plot justification, even though she saves him from danger at one point. There is an extended sequence focusing on Anata’s romantic issues that feels out of place, and despite Lucy Liu’s exceptional acting abilities, her character appears unnecessary to the overall storyline.

In this production, the frequent employment of picturesque spots across Northern Ireland is evidently advantageous. However, as the character of Danny, portrayed with an Austrian accent, pays a visit to his aged mother who speaks with an Irish dialect, it has become evident that authenticity was not prioritized heavily in the making of this work.

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2025-02-19 17:54