ericzillazillo

Stargate is my favorite scifi series until the next time I am asked the question forget Stargate exists. Watching this film for free (on Prime video) does give you better perspective: the film is fine. The timing on the acting is way off, that is about my only criticism of the film. It won't win any points for visual effects either, but visual effects don't matter in most shows - it's good enough I can understand what's going on. The fight scenes are appropriately clumsy, as most of the characters aren't intended to be seasoned fighters. It's campy and fun, and doesn't take itself too seriously. There's a strong Indiana Jones vibe. The filmmakers did a good job getting the atmosphere right, hitting my stargate buttons and bringing a nostalgia rush. Does the plot make sense as a stargate prequel? Are there plotholes and continuity issues? Who knows and who cares? Rewatching is for people who don't have 50 other new shows queued. If you're a snob and hate what they've done to yet another beloved franchise, feel free to overturn applicable local IP laws and then make your own version. Stargate fans would be lucky if they continued to make more Stargate films like this one.

I was mostly able to follow the plot, I didn't quite get how the main problem/threat was addressed. Aside from being competently made and having a few OK gags, I do have a bias for movies that criticize religion, although none of the serious points made in it is anything new to those familiar with the topic. It is nice to see this type of portrayal of religion in 2017 - it is entertaining and a good way to spend an hour or so for amazon prime members, however it won't change anybody's mind, and is a far cry from a must see.

Hit-man is about a bio-engineered hit-man who... what? Look. There are problems with the film's storyline. In the beginning, it bears too much resemblance to a video game where there is literally a tutorial mission (sorry, I mean "scene").

Then the film commits what I view as the cardinal sin of having supposedly intelligent bad guys do stupid things, although they do try to justify it with "duh arrogance".

However, the action in this movie is fantastic, and ultimately that is the context this movie should be viewed in. Within the context of bioengineered killers, I am absolutely delighted with the precise (though obviously choreographed) shooting where superhuman shooters dispatch of their enemies cleanly, never missing their shot - which is what I EXPECT to happen if you're telling me some guy is a highly trained magical cyborg unicorn enhanced murderer.

Given that the film is based on a video game, the action happening is consistent with the rules of the universe - no bullet feels unaccounted for by the film-makers.

Where the film really falls short is its discussion of ethics. Bioengineering killers for profit is wrong, obviously, because both greed and murder are wrong. However, while the film manages to depict engineered superhuman abilities as being sometimes worthwhile to have, the dialogue never once considers the possibility that enhancing ordinary people may not be such a bad idea.

Oh yeah, also, ******* Audi product placements. Still overall if you like it when a supposedly perfect killer actually performs perfectly, this is the film to see.