Today’s quick review: The Killer Elite. Mike Locken (James Caan), a mercenary working for a CIA contractor, is left permanently crippled when his partner George Hansen (Robert Duvall) double-crosses him. Locken pushes himself to recover as fast as possible in the hope of getting his job back and getting his revenge on Hansen. He gets the chance to do both when he’s assigned to protect Yuen Chung (Mako), a politician Hansen has been hired to kill.
The Killer Elite is an action movie about a crippled mercenary trying to get back in the game. The movie follows Locken through his injury, his rehab, and his first assignment back as he tries to beat the partner who betrayed him. The Killer Elite earns points with its likable main character, promising setup, and competent plot. Seeing Locken bounce back from his injuries is the highlight of the movie, and there’s enough action to keep things exciting.
Still, The Killer Elite makes some odd missteps. The movie is overly fond of cutting back and forth between scenes, leading to some confusing moments. The story is generally put together well, but some parts of it have a clearer vision behind them than others. Locken’s background as an operative and his arduous recovery are handled with skill, but everything surrounding Yuen Chung feels half-baked, leading to a perfunctory ending to the film.
The Killer Elite will appeal to fans of action movies in the classic mold. It lacks the raw spectacle of a modern action flick, but it does well enough with its characters, action, and plot to make for an enjoyable watch. Those looking for a more polished action thriller or one with a fully serious tone should steer clear. For an energetic modern action movie that hits some of the same beats, try 2 Guns.
6.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for well-rounded entertainment with some noticeable flaws.