Hitman: Agent 47 - A Familiar Yet Underwhelming Adaptation
While “Hitman: Agent 47” represents an improvement over its predecessor, it ultimately falls short, delivering a generic and uninspired action film loosely based on the popular video game series.
The Premise
Years ago, a clandestine organization funded a project to create genetically engineered super-soldiers – clones with heightened reflexes, suppressed emotions, and cunning intellect. Dr. Litvenko, the project’s lead scientist, developed a conscience upon achieving success. To prevent further research, he destroyed his archives and vanished. With his successors unable to replicate his breakthroughs, secret societies are desperate to find him. Agent 47 (Rupert Friend), a clone created by Litvenko and now a contract killer, is also searching for the scientist, driven by his own agenda. His only lead is a woman named Katia (Hannah Ware), who holds the key to Litvenko’s disappearance.
Hong Kong model, actress, and singer Angelababy (Angela Yeong) plays Agent 47’s handler, Diana, marking her Hollywood debut in “Hitman: Agent 47.”
A History of Disappointment
Video game adaptations have a notorious reputation, largely thanks to films like the 2007 “Hitman,” which was inspired by the game series of the same name. It quickly became apparent that the producers had made a critical casting error by choosing Timothy Olyphant for the lead role. Olyphant, usually a charismatic performer, looked awkward as the bald assassin, radiating more of a plea for a decent wig than a sense of menace. While this wasn’t the film’s only problem, the miscasting of the central character was a fatal flaw, causing the entire movie to collapse.
Rupert Friend immersed himself in the Hitman video game series to prepare for his role as Agent 47.
A New Attempt
Despite the shortcomings of the first film, its financial success led investors to greenlight another “Hitman” movie, featuring a new director, a new lead actor, and no narrative connection to the previous installment. “Hitman: Agent 47” was initially slated for release the previous year but was delayed due to the tragic death of Paul Walker, who had been cast as the super-assassin.
A few months later, Rupert Friend, an Emmy nominee for his portrayal of a government assassin in the series “Homeland,” replaced Walker. Friend proves to be a better Agent 47 than Olyphant, portraying a more believable and menacing killer who, while seemingly emotionless, is capable of noble acts when it comes to his “family.”
Script Shortcomings
The script, penned by Skip Woods, who also wrote the previous “Hitman” film, has some redeeming qualities. “Agent 47” avoids delving into Russian politics (the action takes place in Berlin and Singapore), stays relatively true to the video game mythology, avoids unnecessary characters, doesn’t force a romantic subplot on Agent 47, and remembers that the main character is a killer, not a benevolent hero. However, the script is ultimately mediocre, as the film’s attempts to engage viewers with the characters’ emotional struggles fall flat due to its overall silliness and clumsiness.
Action Deficiencies
Action is paramount in a film like this, and it is here that “Agent 47” truly disappoints. First-time director Aleksander Bach, whose background is in commercials and music videos, fails to deliver truly powerful and exciting action sequences. In most action scenes, Agent 47 simply shoots enemy henchmen as if they were stationary targets, his superiority so obvious that the fights become uninteresting. While he occasionally employs more sophisticated methods, these moments lack impact because there’s no sense that he’s pushing his limits or that he might lose. With a budget of only $35 million, the film features only one large-scale special effects scene (a helicopter crashing into a building) and one noteworthy car stunt.
Missed Opportunities
The filmmakers could have followed the video game formula by introducing several “boss” characters with superhuman abilities, forcing Agent 47 to truly exert himself. However, the film only features one such character, played by Zachary Quinto, whose superpower is simply being difficult to kill. While this poses a challenge for Agent 47, it’s not enough to make the film truly engaging. Furthermore, the film lacks the inventive stealth tactics that are central to the Hitman games. The on-screen Agent rarely hides or sneaks, often resorting to a direct approach, which is sure to frustrate fans of the games. When he does show ingenuity, he relies too heavily on chance, further irritating viewers.