Review of The Gunman (2015) by Phil P — 26 Mar 2015

"I can see you want to end it, just do the right thing".

So now everyone is having a go at taking down 'Liam Neeson' as the king of action stars. This weeks challenger is 'Sean Penn' someone with a similar background (I feel) to 'Liam Neeson' both excellent actors with movies like 'Milk and 'Schindler's List' under their belt respectively. Which as with 'Neeson' I question why 'Penn' wants to get in this area, their performances haven't faltered. But then again maybe 'Penn' saw the slice of the pie and love 'Neeson' was getting after his attachment to the action genre - and thought I want some of that too.

Who knows, but one thing I do know is that after 'The Gunman' I feel 'Penn' has potential to go alongside him - sure he's not as like-able as 'Neeson' but they both have the rugged worn look that works so well for the aged action star. That said 'The Gunman' is not a good film - it has its moments but lacks the story, drive and energy needed.

The film starts in 'Congo' with 'James Terrier' (Sean Penn) and a group on protective detail at a humanitarian foundation but they have another objective which leads 'James' to leave 'Congo' and his girlfriend 'Annie' (Jasmine Trinca) - he asks 'Felix' (Javier Brdem) to look after her which you can tell he'll do more than that. Only its not done as several years later he's the target in the 'Congo' and he sets off to find out why. It's the usual affair with this kind of film - 'James' is hunted but he's a fighter more resilient and more effective than the rest. No surprises, nor is their in the story which is a major issue, with it all revolving around 'Annie' and 'James' relationship - which isn't all that believable.

The story never really goes anywhere beyond the the obvious, way way in advance. It's immediately apparent who is behind it all, as is the fact that 'Annie' will be used a bargaining chip. 'James' also has a head trauma problem that conveniently causes him problems at the wrong time, one point which would have saved all the trouble of the last 20 minutes - if he just shot the guy. Not to mention the start where a trained man thought it fine to record all the events they were doing and that everyone was fine with it - no big deal we're just doing a secret assassination that's all film away!.

There's just as many sex scenes and 'Sean Penn' showering scenes as their are plot advancements and gun fights. Which are the highlight (the gun fights not the shower), they aren't amazing but they have some inventiveness with how they're shot. Highlights being in a bathroom and (despite some stupid and confusing decision to free the bulls instead of shooting when there was a clear shot) the bull fighting arena pen.

I said before there is potential for 'Sean Penn' to have a say in the action star genre. But he's gonna need something a lot better than this. It's not laughably bad as some have suggested (Although I see their point) but it's far from good. When plotting goes out the window and we get fire and towels and goring bulls things seem ok. It's when we're reminded of the stupidity of the characters decisions that things start to unravel.

At least we got the tree-house chat with 'Idris Elba' - delightful.