It's not ART, but I enjoyed it

Rating: 6/10 (4 July 2007)

Hey, it's only a formulaic action movie - and as such, it's acceptable. Yes, the script is hokey, the characterizations shallow/overblown, some things are a bit implausible. So what?
Shooter is a type of movie not really seen much in recent years - one in which we hearken back to the old Hollywood heroes - tough, honorable, taciturn, gutsy. Some don't get his "duty/honor/upright" character, but rest assured that there are plenty of people like that - they actually exist. Those who are honorable and honest tend to assume that others are the same way; so honest people are easier to fool. The setup cover story is plausible considering his high level of expertise and service background. A deleted scene mentions his internet access being tampered with when he tried to check out Johnson online.
Some these days seem unable to attend to details, or remember info from one or two scenes back that explain the current action. Beware, the following contains some SPOILERS:
Swagger has a through and through shoulder wound - you can see the second wound on his back in the homemade IV scene. Sarah didn't have to dig a bullet out; just clean and close the wound. The hip wound is never detailed for us. I did wonder about the use of an auto hose straight from under the hood for an IV - wouldn't it likely be contaminated with dirt, radiator fluid or whatnot? Not really what you want running into your veins.
He is sitting on the mountain because he is thinking about his sworn duty to protect the US versus his desire NOT to do it because he feels betrayed and disillusioned - the scene makes sense.
He photographs the plate instead of memorizing it because photos are tangible evidence. He shoots the engine VIN, then the opened hood and front plate to associate them with each other and the spot where taken.
It is not surprising that Sarah helps him - her dead husband loved Swagger, and vice versa. Some of us are willing and even honor-bound to give that kind of trust to strangers if they were trusted by a loved one...it's common with certain kinds of upbringing. Turning him away would be a betrayal of Donnie.
What IS unbelievable is that she never closes and ties her robe. However, even though the female roles in this are old-fashioned and limited, on the whole the movie is a lot more respectful of women than most recent action flicks. He has good manners and also doesn't spout the F word constantly - which is right on target for this kind of character. Refreshing.
After Swagger kills the 4 guards the number of attackers is 24, plus helicopter. This is made plain when Johnson asks the Senator to customs-proof the arrival of 'the 24 man crew we used in Ethiopia' - Swagger gets to off the guys who killed the villagers - and whose retreat he unknowingly covered when Donnie was killed. Pay attention, people. The numbers were against them - but the escape is plausible, considering the ambushes he laid as he went in - ask anyone who is trained in that level of combat.
The AG agrees to the meeting at the request of the FBI.
The bullet would match his gun if not mangled on entry. It was taken from where he shot it at the stew can and wrapped to prevent other marking when re-fired - as the old gunsmith told them could be done.
He 'magically' appears in time to save Memphis because he sets Memphis up as bait and then follows him. Again, pay attention.
*If he doesn't kill the 'head bad guys' in the end, he has to live with knowing that they will probably murder more innocents - I would have done the same thing. True, others will take their place - but that's not the same moral quandary.
Mark was quite decent - but with some badly delivered lines and lack of expression. His 'these boys killed my dog' line is WOEFULLY wrong - that clichÃ© line is pivotal, and he blows it with a flat, rushed delivery. But, he is believable overall...and this character has good serial potential. Mark stands like a Marine, addresses people like a Marine, moves like one - they researched his role well. Wahlberg is masculine and solid...promising as a hero. He even has that rare ability to be both believably tough and yet tender/romantic - a quality that only the major action/film stars have.
I'm a female who loves action flicks. This film was intended to be simple and unsubtle - like the older films starring McQueen, Wayne, Eastwood. Viewed in that light, it's decent entertainment. A lot of the lines are wince-worthy, the bad guys too cartoonish - but the action, gorgeous camera work & settings make up for it. They aimed for a tongue-in-cheek feel, but didn't pull it off consistently.
The well-researched sniper scenes are fascinating and show how incredibly dangerous a highly skilled sniper is. (where do I sign up?!)
Good popcorn action.