'THE GUNMAN': Four Stars (Out of Five)
Another respectable (and very serious) A-list actor turns to B- action movies, very late in his career (and at over 50-years of age); following the likes of stars like Liam Neeson. It's probably no coincidence that the director of the film, Pierre Morel, also turned Neeson into an action film star (when he directed him to superstar success in 2008's 'TAKEN'). Penn also co-produced this movie (with none other than action master Joel Silver) and he also co-wrote the screenplay (with Don Macpherson and Pete Travis). The film also features other highly praised respectable A-list talent, in supporting roles; like Javier Bardem and Idris Elba. The movie has failed to do well at the Box Office (so far) though and it's also received mostly negative reviews from critics. I think it's a blast and a lot of fun though; if you like B-action movies!
Penn plays Jim Terrier; a highly skilled mercenary assassin, working for an unnamed employer. On one job, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he's forced to kill the minister of mines there. He then must go into hiding; in order to protect himself and his team, and abandon his girlfriend, Annie (Jasmine Trinca). One of his team members, Felix (Bardem), helped orchestrate Terrier's role in the assignment; so that he could swoop in and steal Annie, for himself. Eight years later Terrier returns to the Congo; to work for a non- profit volunteer group there. He's almost killed by a hit squad though and realizes others, from his former team, are also probably in danger; as well as Annie. Terrier then goes on a deadly mission; to find out who was behind the attempt on his life, and save his ex- girlfriend.
Sean Penn is in amazing shape, in this movie, especially at 54- years-old! He looks, and surprisingly acts, a lot like Sylvester Stallone (in this film). The whole movie, to me, feels a lot like a Stallone flick, with Penn in the lead instead. To me, that makes for a very fun film; to some though, that's the recipe for a really cheesy and bad movie. That's why this got mostly bad reviews, I think, and didn't do really well at the Box Office; Penn isn't an action movie star (that's for sure). It is really odd to see him doing a film like this; given his very serious attitude about politics, as well as film (in general). I love the idea of him starring in a movie like this though and I think this movie is really well made and entertaining; it's also really dark, graphically violent and pretty suspenseful (throughout). I can't believe actors like Bardem, Elba, Ray Winstone and Mark Rylance also decided to join him in this venture! The movie is a lot of fun; if you love action flicks and the idea of Sean Penn starring in one!
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