by Tim Gordon
In this reboot of the 2007 film, Hitman: Agent 47 — based on the popular video game — trades out Timothy Olyphant for Rupert Friend as the genetically engineered assassin.
This time around, Agent 47 is tracking Katia (Hannah Ware), a woman who may hold the key to finding the only man alive capable of creating more super-assassins like himself. Standing between him and his mission is John Smith (Zachary Quinto), a shadowy government operative determined to stop him.
This shiny but soulless action flick plays like a mixtape of better movies, borrowing heavily from The Matrix, Terminator, The Transporter, and Wanted, among others. Despite its sleek visuals, it never shakes the feeling of being hollow and derivative, weighed down by scenes that defy logic and plot twists that come far too easily.
Originally meant to star the late Paul Walker, the project landed with Friend instead — but no star could save this lifeless imitation. It’s too generic for loyal fans of the game and too much like a clunky video game cutscene for casual moviegoers.
Like a Chrysler 300 trying to pass as a Bentley, Hitman: Agent 47 borrows the look of better action films but never matches their substance. The result? A beautiful mess that shoots plenty of bullets but never hits its mark.
Grade: D
