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THE CONTRACTOR

 ABOUT THE MOVIE

Genre: Action/Thriller
Starring: Wesley Snipes, Lena Headey, Charles Dance, Ralph Brown, Velizar Binev, Elizabeth Bennett
Director: Josef Rusnak
Rating: PG (Some Violence)
Year Made: 2007

 

 


 SPECIAL FEATURES

- A Look Inside THE CONTRACTOR
- Trailers

 


 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Languages: English/Spanish/
Portuguese/Thai
Subtitles: English/Spanish/Chinese/
Portuguese/Korean/Thai
Aspect Ratio: 1:85 Widescreen
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Running Time: 1 hr 38 mins
Region Code: 3
Distributor: Origin Entertainment
Official Website:
www.sonypictures.com

 

 

SYNOPSIS:

Wesley Snipes is back in this explosive action-thriller about a deadly assassin who finds himself on the run when an attempt to kill a terrorist mastermind in London goes terribly wrong.

Retired marksman James Dial (Snipes) is haunted by his failure to exterminate one of the world’s most notorious terrorists. He is approached by his old employers to finish the job in London, where the terrorist leader has been captured and is under heavy protection. What would be a routine mission for the sniper turns into a nightmare as Dial is forced into hiding and relentlessly pursued by the British police and their lead investigator, Windsor (Charles Dance, Gosford Park, The Golden Child). But when Dial is framed for Windsor’s murder, he begins to realize that he has been seriously double-crossed. His only hope is a 12-year-old girl whom Dial reluctantly befriends as he desperately searches to find the killer and the truth behind his betrayal.

MOVIE REVIEW

“The Contractor” has nothing to do with our famous Phua Chu Kang. Thank God.

A straight-to-video effort and stars Wesley “Blade” Snipes, the once leading man of numerous Hollywood action movies. Honestly, he’s not a bad actor and possesses much more agility than an average action star (think Seagal). Did tax evasion causes his career to go down to the video pits? We leave that to the tabloids.

Here he is showing his leading man’s charisma and proved yet again he can carry a movie without resorting to unnecessary violence and gratuitous sex. The storyline of “The Contractor” sounds eerily similar to Mark Walberg’s The Shooter on paper. Snipes plays James Dial, an ex-agent who is approached by his superior to assassinate a renowned terrorist but in the end double-crossed after his mission.

German director Josef Rusnak seems more at ease directing the emotional scenes rather than the action sequences. The relationship between Dial and his saviour, a 12-year-old schoolgirl named Emily who has personal problems of her own is surprisingly well handled and emotionally moving. Whereas the action sequences on the other hand are a bit clumsily handled. There’s a shootout sequence, which took place at the cargo handling area of the airport, but in the midst of flickering lights, what can the audience tell?

It’s refreshing to see Lena Headey (last seen on the big screen in “300”) in her contemporary outfit as a police inspector. We seriously like to see more of her in future.

We do not think it’s fair to label “The Contractor” as an explosive action thriller. It succeeds more on the level of an engaging plotline which made you wish to see the ultimate payoff. Surprise, surprise…this straight-to-video effort isn’t all that bad.

SPECIAL FEATURES :

A Look Inside THE CONTRACTOR
- An approximately 20 minutes making of special which includes interviews with Wesley Snipes and director Josef Rusnak. Proceed with caution as it contain spoilers and you might wish to watch this after the movie.

5 trailers of Sony Home products round up the rest of the disc.

AUDIO/VISUAL:

Although made for home entertainment, the visual and audio transfer is pretty well-done. Colours are bright and images are sharp. The surround sound works best during the explosion and guns firing sequences.

MOVIE RATING:



DVD RATING :

Review by Linus Tee

 
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. Ghost Rider

. The Pursuit of Happyness

. The Illusionist

. Catch & Release



 


This review is made possible with the kind support from Origin Entertainment

 


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