First Hit: Very little substance and after learning that it’s based on a video game, it doesn’t surprise me.
There is a somewhat interesting premise to this story however the writing, direction and acting doesn’t delve deep enough to make the story come alive.
We get a brief look in the opening moments of the film as to how these orphaned kids are trained to be hitmen. When they are ready they are given a bar code tattoo on the back of their head. Upon graduation the non-feeling hit men receive instructions on whom to kill from “The Agency.”
The story in this film is a bit convoluted and unrealistic but it serves its purpose to provide a vehicle to spend time with one of the hit men (Agent 47) played by Timothy Olyphant. Unfortunately, Olyphant has the occasional look and body movement of a good hitman but when he opens his mouth is when we can see through him. His acting chops end with dialogue in this film.
One saving grace in this film is Olga Kurylenko who plays Nika the kept girlfriend of the man Agent 47 is supposed to hit. He kidnaps her to save her from being killed (because she knows too much) by the Russian military.
In her open frankness she somehow touches Agent 47’s heart which is suppose to make him human after all. That isn’t the case but she does bring some levity, fun and beauty to the film.
Overall: Maybe a video rental if you are bored one night or like playing the video game “Hitman” and want to see someone’s film rendition.