Review of Killer Elite (2011) by Glenn C — 28 Jul 2012

Robert DeNiro, Jason Statham & Clive Owen... thats kind of hard to refuse. Killer Elite is an action thriller based on a true story about a group of assassins on a final mission to save one of their own from capture.

I wasn't expecting much from this film but I was genuinely pleased (and surprised) with how decent it actually is. The action is well staged and the narrative flow doesn't ponder. All players give solid performances and DeNiro is particularly understated.

I think it's his best role in a few years. Knowing that much of the movie was shot in Melbourne, there was the added thrill of recognising locations and countless local faces which amped the experience for me.

I wasn't expecting to see an early title card reading "Yarra Valley, Australia"... so close to home it reminds me of my days in Vancouver where every movie was made just around the corner.

Killer Elite surpassed my expectations and turns out to be a smart and stylish action-thriller.