Today’s quick review: Kite. In a lawless city where gangs of child traffickers rule the streets, Sawa (India Eisley) goes undercover as a prostitute to avenge her parents’ deaths. Her only ally is Lt. Karl Aker (Samuel L. Jackson), a police officer who covers for her vigilante activities from inside the police force. But as Sawa gets close to her last target, a boy named Oburi (Callan McAuliffe) approaches her with a secret about her past.
Kite is a violent action movie that pits a teenage girl against a ruthless human trafficking ring. Sawa uses subterfuge and seduction to get close to her targets, grill them for information, and kill them in brutal fashion. Kite has a fine premise for a revenge flick, and its colorful costumes and edgy direction help give it a unique identity. But its execution leaves something to be desired due to its generic plot and unclear presentation.
Kite is a confusing movie to watch. The broad strokes of the plot are easy enough to follow, but the particulars are convoluted. Kite has a habit of introducing new characters and situations without explaining them. In another movie this gamble could pay off, but Kite handles it poorly. The setting is too unfamiliar for Kite to play the kinds of storytelling tricks it wants to, so most of the little mysteries it tries to weave just end up tangled.
In spite of its shaky storytelling, Kite does have a few things going for it. The story dabbles with some interesting ideas, such as Sawa’s addiciton to a drug that helps her forget the trauma of her past. The action is gory and fairly engaging. The stunts themselves aren’t phenomenal, but Sawa’s small frame and reliance on surprise make the fights tense when things go wrong. Kite also has the makings of an interesting visual style.
Ultimately, Kite’s scattered strengths aren’t enough to make up for its weak foundation. The story is hard to follow, and the payoff isn’t enough to justify the effort. The movie is on slightly better footing with its action, but even there it doesn’t stand out. Fans of violent revenge flicks may want to give it a shot just to see what it has to offer. But even then, most viewers would be better off with something sharper and more thrilling.
For a twisted revenge flick with better action and a clearer vision, try Everly. For one with a looser plot and a better-drawn setting, try The Bad Batch. For a more wholesome action movie with a similar setting, try Alita: Battle Angel. For a more rewarding story about a young, would-be assassin, try The Professional. For a quirkier movie about vigilante justice, try The Boondock Saints.
4.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 5.0 for glimmers of originality let down by poor fundamentals.