‘The Killer’s Game’ Review: Dave Bautista Charms in an Enjoyably Violent but Otherwise Creaky Action-Comedy

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As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for action-packed films, I must say that The Killer’s Game has been quite the rollercoaster ride. The storyline is as unpredictable as a late-night session of Call of Duty, with its unexpected twists and turns keeping me on the edge of my seat.

In most cases, it’s advisable for assassins to avoid associating with physicians, as such connections rarely result in positive outcomes in films. For instance, the main character played by Michael Keaton in “Knox Goes Away” recently received a heartbreaking dementia diagnosis. Struggling to settle his affairs and clear his son of a murder charge before his condition worsened, he ultimately lost his mental faculties.

In the movie titled “The Killer’s Game“, Joe Flood, the main character played by Dave Bautista, grapples with severe headaches and double vision as he carries out deadly tasks. He is then told that he has a terminal disease which will swiftly rob him of his abilities and take his life in three months. Given the circumstances, it’s only natural for Joe, a contract killer who has recently found love, to act as any self-respecting person might. He arranges for his own assassination, offering a $2 million reward so he can depart this world with honor and leave a comfortable financial legacy for his ballerina girlfriend, Maize (Sofia Boutella).

Soon afterward, Joe gets a string of urgent text messages from his physician, explaining there was a mix-up at the lab with his test results and another person’s, meaning he’s actually healthy (it’s always frustrating when such mistakes occur). However, this unfortunate incident has put every hitman in Europe on his tail.

I’ve got to hand it to J.J. Perry – this action-comedy he whipped up has a plot that might seem a tad contrived at first glance, but it’s got some unexpected romance thrown in for good measure. What makes this film tick is largely due to the magnetic appeal of its leading man, who’s as muscular as they come, and the pulse-pounding fight scenes that are not only well-staged, but also pack a serious punch with their graphic violence. The gore in these sequences certainly pushes the R rating to its limits!

Screenwriters Rand Ravich and James Coyne strive hard to infuse a peculiar dark humor, which works intermittently based on the book by Jay R. Bonansinga. Guided by the enigmatic Antoinette, portrayed brilliantly by Pom Klementieff from the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, who harbors ill feelings towards Joe and gladly accepts his money, the assassins exhibit an amusing eccentricity. This group is made up of an eclectic mix: a French assassin integrates flamenco dance steps into his killings, a pair of lethal Scottish brothers whose conversations need subtitles due to their unintelligible language, and a towering professional (Terry Crews) who’s burdened with a clumsy sidekick.

A significant portion of the humor arises from Joe’s affectionate bond with his handler, Zvi Rabinowitz, played hilariously by Ben Kingsley, who seems to enjoy showcasing one of his numerous accents. Similarly, Zvi’s vibrant spouse, portrayed by Alex Kingston, enters the scene, presenting themselves as parents Joe never had. Their dialogue, filled with witty jabs, could just as easily be overheard on a park bench in Boca Raton. Regularly, Zvi offers insights about departing from their line of work: “You either leave clean or you end up on your back.

The scene is enhanced significantly by its striking European backdrops, particularly Budapest, where the grand opera house serves as the stage for an intricate opening action sequence. Moreover, the romance in this film seems somewhat unrealistic, yet it manages to work; Bautista portrays a lovestruck Shrek-like figure when he picks up the slender Boutella in his arms and flashes a broad grin that makes him appear endearing rather than intimidating. Bautista’s unique on-screen persona, combined with his impressive physique, make him an ideal choice for the character.

Despite its title, “The Killer’s Game” seems to lack originality and carries an overly familiar vibe that grows tiresome well before the end. It’s the sort of movie where you find yourself eagerly anticipating the moment when a character will exclaim something like, “Don’t blame the player, blame the game.

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2024-09-13 01:25