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SYNOPSIS:
Wesley Snipes is back in this explosive action-thriller about
a deadly assassin who finds himself on the run when an attempt
to kill a terrorist mastermind in London goes terribly wrong.
Retired marksman James Dial (Snipes) is haunted by his failure
to exterminate one of the world’s most notorious terrorists.
He is approached by his old employers to finish the job in
London, where the terrorist leader has been captured and is
under heavy protection. What would be a routine mission for
the sniper turns into a nightmare as Dial is forced into hiding
and relentlessly pursued by the British police and their lead
investigator, Windsor (Charles Dance, Gosford Park, The Golden
Child). But when Dial is framed for Windsor’s murder,
he begins to realize that he has been seriously double-crossed.
His only hope is a 12-year-old girl whom Dial reluctantly
befriends as he desperately searches to find the killer and
the truth behind his betrayal.
MOVIE
REVIEW
“The
Contractor” has nothing to do with our famous Phua Chu
Kang. Thank God.
A straight-to-video
effort and stars Wesley “Blade” Snipes, the once
leading man of numerous Hollywood action movies. Honestly,
he’s not a bad actor and possesses much more agility
than an average action star (think Seagal). Did tax evasion
causes his career to go down to the video pits? We leave that
to the tabloids.
Here
he is showing his leading man’s charisma and proved
yet again he can carry a movie without resorting to unnecessary
violence and gratuitous sex. The storyline of “The Contractor”
sounds eerily similar to Mark Walberg’s The Shooter
on paper. Snipes plays James Dial, an ex-agent who is approached
by his superior to assassinate a renowned terrorist but in
the end double-crossed after his mission.
German
director Josef Rusnak seems more at ease directing the emotional
scenes rather than the action sequences. The relationship
between Dial and his saviour, a 12-year-old schoolgirl named
Emily who has personal problems of her own is surprisingly
well handled and emotionally moving. Whereas the action sequences
on the other hand are a bit clumsily handled. There’s
a shootout sequence, which took place at the cargo handling
area of the airport, but in the midst of flickering lights,
what can the audience tell?
It’s
refreshing to see Lena Headey (last seen on the big screen
in “300”) in her contemporary outfit as a police
inspector. We seriously like to see more of her in future.
We
do not think it’s fair to label “The Contractor”
as an explosive action thriller. It succeeds more on the level
of an engaging plotline which made you wish to see the ultimate
payoff. Surprise, surprise…this straight-to-video effort
isn’t all that bad.
SPECIAL FEATURES :
A Look Inside THE CONTRACTOR - An approximately 20
minutes making of special which includes interviews with Wesley
Snipes and director Josef Rusnak. Proceed with caution as
it contain spoilers and you might wish to watch this after
the movie.
5
trailers of Sony Home products round up the rest of the disc.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
Although made for home entertainment, the visual and audio
transfer is pretty well-done. Colours are bright and images
are sharp. The surround sound works best during the explosion
and guns firing sequences.
MOVIE RATING:
DVD
RATING :
Review
by Linus Tee
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