Despite some promising action set-pieces, The Killer’s Game is a disappointing entry into the world of action cinema as its muddled script can’t save the film from itself.
Synopsis of The Killer’s Game
The Killer’s Game Synopsis: After being diagnosed with a terminal illness, hitman Joe Flood (Dave Bautista) puts a hit on himself. However, when he is told that he is going to live, Joe is forced to go on the run. All the while, multiple hitmen led by Marianna (Pom Klementieff) seeks to collect the bounty.
Blandness in The Killer’s Game
Based on Jay Bonansinga’s book, The Killer’s Game is the latest film from director J.J. Perry. This time, Perry works with cinematographer Flario Labiano to deliver shots that benefit mostly the action set-pieces. And really only the action set-pieces, as the film suffers from a grey blandness. Especially during the day scenes. With the night scenes, those have a yellow-ish tint to them. Making the set look more like a streetlight if anything. The origin point to the blandness however, is traced to the film’s plot.
Screenwriters Rand Ravich and James Cayne construct the plot in two halves. The first halve is before the reveal where the film operates more or less like a romantic comedy. Whereas the second halves is post-reveal where it starts acting like an action movie. Mainly akin to films like the John Wick franchise. However, both halves of the film are consistent in its mediocrity. In which, the film doesn’t break any new ground with its plot or characters.
Surrounding the two halves of the film is a basic sense of production design, courtesy of production designer Matt Gant. Mostly taking place in Budapest, the sets feel dull and hackneyed. Rather than popping out at you, the film’s sets display a minimum that feels restrictive. It also doesn’t help that this is mixed in with the yellow and gray lightning. Thus, avoiding the sets of having any life beyond the frame.
Decent Action & Editing
But, in contrast, the film’s costumes are a departure from the bland design. Taking an exaggerated comic book-like approach, costume designer David Wolfe uses the costumes to exemplify the character’s style. Wolfe also uses the costumes to highlight the character’s mannerisms beyond the actor’s performances. This extends to the editing, which thanks to editor Elísabeth Ronaldsdóttir, manages to be dynamic.
In particular, we see this with the action as Ronaldsdóttir splices non-diegetic music into the action. Additionally, music supervisor Jumi Akinfenwa, who manages to select songs that fit well with the action set-piece. Though, as for everything, despite a one hour and forty-four minute runtime, the film drags as it’s waiting to get to the next action set-piece. Although in defense of Ronaldsdóttir, the dragging is largely due to the script rather than any actual editing on the editor’s side of things.
Performances in The Killer’s Game
When it comes to the cast, you can expect an array of expected performances. Starting with Dave Bautista, who leads the film as Joe Flood. Bautista carries the humor with ease and conducts the action expertly. But, Bautista and Sofia Boutella’s chemistry falls flat. Which is unfortunate as both of their characters’ relationship with each other is the main cruz of the film.
Meanwhile, Pom Klementieff is interesting as Marianna, balancing both humor and menace. However, Klementieff sadly becomes underutilized as the main antagonist. Rounding out the cast is Terry Crews, who is electrifying as Lovedahl. bringing out a fun, villainous side to the role. Finally, Ben Kingsley manages to be dryly witty as Zvi. Displaying fun chemistry with Bautista, Kingsley’s performance makes for a lot of the film’s humor.
Final Thoughts
Despite some promising action set-pieces, The Killer’s Game falls flat. Perry and company tried to make everything engaging to the audience. Instead, the team settle for a bland grayness that replicates more modern successful action movie franchises. This is even extended into the cast. Overall, The Killer’s Game was a disappointing entry in the action genre. And a disappointing game to boot.
