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Killer Elite (2011)

Director: Gary McKendry

Time Out rating

Average user rating

6 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

With a beefcake physique suggesting oncoming harm, Jason Statham would have made a great ’80s action hero. But acknowledging that he could have kicked ass back then and having to endure a new muscle-neck magnum opus are different, as this proves. Danny (Statham) is revered in the world of espionage. But as much as he likes blowing up stuff beside his mentor (Robert De Niro, feisty), Danny is tired. His retirement is cut short when a pal is kidnapped by a sheikh who wants those who murdered his sons. One of the killers (Clive Owen) isn’t going gently into the night.

Cue black-ops missions, chest beating, clever quips and too many elbows to the face to count. By the time Statham beats the snot out of someone while tied to a chair, the Clancy-lite skullduggery and schlocky dialogue has worn your patience. A few awesome fire fights does not an action film make, and even De Niro’s ‘Ronin’-esque interlude can’t shake the feeling that the thrill, like the ’80s, is gone.

Author: David Fear, Time Out New York

Time Out London Issue 2144: 22-28 Sept, 2011

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User reviews of this film

Pegwai said...

Posted on Feb 18 2012 12:07 I had high expectations being a big De Niro fan but the role he plays in this film is so secondary that it leaves you very disappointed. Endless elbowing and kicking, a plot that drags on and on and then there is an extra 20 minutes or so when you think your patience has been tested enough.The storyline that is based on true events seems to be lost in the background.

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Marsellus said...

Posted on Nov 21 2011 11:02 One of the better Statham films (far better than the Transporters anyway), this film at least tries to cram in some semblance of a plot. It mixes politics with action in the same kind of way something like Patriot Games does - although Killer Elite leans more towards action than politics. There's also a nice dust up or two for Statham to show off his kicks etc... Clive Owen makes a better antagonist for Statham than I thought he would (their ruck in the hospital was the highlight of the film for me). It was also nice to see De Niro running around firing a machine gun as it brought back memories of Heat and Ronin. The only downside was the film outstayed its welcome by about 20 minutes.

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scrumpyjack said...

Posted on Sep 28 2011 22:16 Clunky but too fast moving to care action fest that will be in MANY a dads stocking on xmas day. And dad, as long as he isn't a professional film critic, will be delighted! 7/10

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G said...

Posted on Sep 28 2011 09:29 What can I say?....
Was very disappointed watching De- Nero!!
This is a Grade 'B' movie.
The action is horrendous.
The worst is the story!
I was really looking forward to this and now I've decided to slit my wrists after paying for V.i.P seats for 8 people at the cinema!!!!!!!!

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Ric said...

Posted on Sep 27 2011 11:26 *Story!

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Ric said...

Posted on Sep 27 2011 11:25 For ONCE timeout critic gets it right.
Poor viewing which was disappointing as i like 'true stroy' based films. Strapon-average, De nero-who? Owen-deserves a slap round the chops!

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