Review of 3 Days to Kill (2014) by Kyle H — 20 May 2014

3 DAYS TO KILL will likely be one of those movies that we will look back on as misunderstood. Yeah, it's flashy and ridiculous, but it also makes no attempt to be anything besides flashy and ridiculous.

It tells us from the very beginning what to expect in terms of genre and style by starting with spies in an over-the-top action sequence. The movie progresses to give the audience glimpses into the life of a dying ex-CIA agent (Costner) who returns to the field of duty in hopes of receiving an experimental cure that will extend his life-span long enough that he can reconcile himself to his broken family.

While the premise may be interesting enough, the helmer, McG, is a straight-forward, perspective-less director who does the quirky script for 3 DAYS TO KILL no favors. In my opinion, Luc Besson's story-writing is clever and - while he may becoming a bit of a cliché of himself - the script still commits to a unique style that is worth investing in.

Originality is the name of the game, folks! It also helps that the movie is carried by stellar leads: the on-screen father / daughter comb of Kevin Costner and Hailee Steinfeld. Each of these actors is superb, both individually and together.

The chemistry among the cast is undeniable. It is nice to see performers who have serious dramatic careers engaging in pieces that don't require them to take themselves quite SO seriously. Even so, the character motives are a bit confusing (if not illogical, at times) and the film sometimes overlooks moments to develop real, emotional stakes in favor of indulging jokes that may not have been necessary to progress the story.

My verdict is that the sheer acting chemistry and hilarious, quirky, original style of Besson's writing are elements that warrant us favoring the movie's virtues over its vices.