DVD Corner

The Killer’s Game 4K UHD Review

“The Killer’s Game” is not worth playing. 

Based on the novel by Jay Bonansinga and written for the screen by Rand Ravich and James Coyne, the story centers around an assassin named Joe Flood. At the start of the film, he saves and meets a ballet dancer named Maize while on an assignment. He falls in love with her, but his joy is short-lived when he learns that he has been diagnosed with the incurable CJD disease. With a life expectancy of 3 months, Joe decides to have a hit put on himself so that Maize can get his life insurance. Joe hears last minute that there has been a mix-up by the doctors and that he isn’t actually dying. Joe tries to cancel the contract but assassin/handler Marianna has a vendetta against him and hires numerous assassins to take him out such as Lovedahl, Goyang Gang, Langos Bros, Mackenzie Brothers, Party Girls, and Botas. can Joe survive the onslaught and make a life with Maize?

After helming the entertaining “Day Shift,” director J.J. Perry takes on a new action-comedy with “The Killer’s Game.” This international 80’s style action film was a box office bomb and it’s not hard to see why. Despite being a hard R, violent action movie with impressive physical stunts, it’s a decidedly by-the-numbers action flick that coasts on its thin premise for an exceedingly long 104 minutes. The cartoonish humor, the “Home Alone” esque third act, and the oddball assassins fall flat and feel like material from a poor man’s Guy Ritchie or Quentin Tarantino movie. J.J. Perry attempts to liven things up with stylish visuals, split screens and swirling camera shots, but it’s all smoke and mirrors.

“The Killer’s Game” also suffers from some of the worst CGI in a big screen film as of late. Guarantee that some YouTuber could make better CGI blood than what appeared on screen here. It’s distractingly awful.

The only thing really going for this movie is the cast. Dave Bautista has carved out quite a career for himself by starring in the Dune films, “SPECTRE,” and “Blade Runner 2049,” but this movie feels like a step back from him. Sure, it’s easy to see the allure of him wanting to be the lead in an action film, but he looks a bit uncomfortable in the romantic scenes. He’s also looking a bit long in the tooth during the action sequences. Sofia Boutella is charming here, but Maize feels like an odd role for her given that she is an action star now. Ben Kingsley classes up the movie as the personable handler Zvi. Pom Klementieff (who reunites with “Guardians of the Galaxy” co-star Dave Bautista here) is having a blast chewing scenery as Marianna. It’s fun to see Scott Adkins, Terry Crews, and Alex Kingston (River Song from “Doctor Who”) pop up as well. 

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.00:1 2160p With Dolby Vision. How does it look? Viewers can expect a pristine print that takes full advantage of the 4K format.

Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. How does it sound? A deliciously loud and active Atmos track. This is how action movies should sound.

Extras:
* Blu-ray copy
* Digital copy
* Theatrical trailer
* “Meet Joe Flood”- A featurette on the main character.
* “The Conductor” revolves around director J.J. Perry.
* “World Of Assassins” is all about the assassin characters.
* “Killed It!” covers the action, stunts, fights, and action (and the people behind the camera).

November 17, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | Action Movie, Ben Kingsley, Dave Bautista, Sofia Boutella, The Killer's Game, The Killer's Game 4K UHD Review