Shooter (2007/I)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Antoine Fuqua

Writers (WGA):

Jonathan Lemkin (screenplay)
Stephen Hunter (novel)

Release Date:

23 March 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Yesterday was about honor. Today is about justice.

Plot:

A marksman living in exile is coaxed back into action after learning of a plot to kill the president. Ultimately double-crossed and framed for the attempt, he goes on the run to track the real killer and find out who exactly set him up, and why.

Plot Keywords:

President | Marksman | Colonel | Framed | Oil

US TV Schedule:

Mon. July 6	1:30 AM	TMC
Thur. July 9	10:05 PM	TMC
Wed. July 15	8:00 PM	TMC

Cast

Mark Wahlberg	...	Bob Lee Swagger
Michael Peña	...	Nick Memphis
Danny Glover	...	Colonel Isaac Johnson
Kate Mara	...	Sarah Fenn
Elias Koteas	...	Jack Payne
Rhona Mitra	...	Alourdes Galindo
Jonathan Walker	...	Louis Dobbler
Justin Louis	...	Howard Purnell
Tate Donovan	...	Russ Turner
Rade Serbedzija	...	Michael Sandor (as Rade Sherbedgia)
Alan C. Peterson	...	Officer Stanley Timmons
Ned Beatty	...	Senator Charles F. Meachum
Lane Garrison	...	Donnie Fenn
Zak Santiago	...	Senior Agent
Michael-Ann Connor	...	Junior Agent

MPAA:

Rated R for strong graphic violence and some language.

Runtime:

124 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:NC-16 | Ireland:16 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Ontario) | UK:15 | Netherlands:16 | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba) | Finland:K-15 | USA:R (certificate #43368) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Malaysia:18SG | Hong Kong:IIB | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 | Argentina:16 | Germany:18 | Sweden:15 | Denmark:15 | South Korea:18 | Australia:MA | Japan:PG-12 | France:U | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | Canada:18A | Portugal:M/16 | Spain:18 | India:A

Filming Locations:

Ashcroft, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

While originally aimed to have a PG-13 rating to attract a wider audience, the producers wanted the film to have an R rating after 'Mark Wahlberg' signed on for the lead.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the opening action sequence of the movie, Swagger and his spotter, both in the Marine Corp, are both seen wearing US Army ACU uniforms under their ghille suits, while in actuality they should be wearing the USMC's own MARPAT digital style camo.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Donnie Fenn: Movement. Two men. Approximately... forty goats.
Bob Lee Swagger: They're not on anybody's side. We don't have to shoot them.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2007-03-24)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Nasty Letter

Still Invincible

I was surprised in many ways by shooter. #1, I was surprised by the release. I follow movies and I didn't hear about this title until early this year. #2, I was amazed by Marks ability to sell me on his acting skills. #3, By the fact that the most established actors in this title, Ned and Danny may have given career killing performances. I think Tony Todd and Stephen Root would have been solid choices, but my guess is the two poor performances were bought for name recognition.

To me this had Eastwood written all over it. At times I thought I was watching Line of Fire at others Unforgiven, but in the end it was just really good entertainment, much like The Bourne movies.

I think it's worth the watch and the story although not new was presented in a fresh manner. This one will go in my collection when available. I'm sure it will have a host of deleted scenes and alternate endings.

Solid film!