Hitman

Computer games have rarely provided a satisfying inspiration from which to build movies, though the demographics and increased CGI-dependency of film creates an understandable equation: teenage boys love video games + teenage boys spend money going to cinemas (with other like-minded gamers) = more revenue for both film and game industry alike.

The transition of Hitman has been a troubled birth – shunned by original star Vin Diesel (serving here as the obligatory Executive Producer), the bald-pated Timothy Olyphant is a strangely anemic choice for Agent 47, by turns too emotive and human to be a cold-blooded killer and yet lethargic as an action hero (his casting as the sedentary villain of Die Hard 4.0 is a far better use of his post-Deadwood talents). The sad truth is that Hitman is just plain dull. Hampered by appalling supporting performances - specifically from a sleep-walking Dougray Scott and his mockney Interpol partner Michael Offei - the story never truly ignites since the relationships are without motive or chemistry and the back story (entirely confined to the rushed opening credits) unexplained.

An introduction which places keys characters entirely out of harm’s way for the duration of the remaining running time (since the main body of the movie takes place “Three Months Before”) robs the plot of any suspense and even a cameo from the Playstation 2 game 'Hitman 2: Silent Assassin' only makes the cinema-goer more aware that playing the superlative game would be a better use of their time.

Released 30th November 2007 by 20th Century Fox.

Written by Simon Cole.