Utterly predictable... and quite enjoyable

Rating: 7/10 (25 March 2007)

Make no mistake, "Shooter" is a formula Hollywood actioner -- but then, aren't they all? The setups, like the sniper shots, come from miles away. These setups, and the good guys and bad guys couldn't be more obvious. Few characters get beyond one or, tops, two dimensions, including Wahlberg's jaded ex-sniper, Bobby Lee Swagger.
Bobby is setup from the word go to give the appearance that he killed--or, rather, attempted to kill--the President under the pretense of being a consultant to avoid an assassination. Make sense? In any case the ultimate purpose of this setup is never made clear even by the end of the movie.
The Shadow Government component of the movie is laid on very thick, with countless interwoven shadow agencies working in concert with the Evil Bad Guys (tm) to execute on a plan which, ultimately and finally, seems quite pointless.
But, then, there really is no specific plot point to this movie. The quasi-political overtones, the shadow government agencies are all window dressing to vaguely justify the copious on-screen violence. Swagger, needless to say, follows the mold of ex-military killing machines cemented by John Rambo and his storied silver screen heirs (can you say Van Damme and Seagal?). The non-chalance that he approaches his role as a government trained killing machine approaches psychopathic.
Good thing Marky Mark gets shot early on and needed to go through the requisite bleeding--barely alive--harrowing extraction of the bullet--feverish nights of recovery so we can get a good view of his sweaty chiseled bod. Coupled with Kate Mara's obligatory cleavage shots the filmmakers deftly cover at least three major demographic groups within the first 30 minutes. Good job! Speaking of Mr. Wahlberg, it's fair to say his acting range hasn't advanced significantly from his days of pants-dropping glory. Swagger's character however fits this limited range perfectly. For that reason I actually liked him a lot in this movie. He doesn't try nor need to stretch his acting chops. Unlike Arnold, Wahlberg doesn't yet have the built-in self-deprecating acting chip to enable him to do comedy -- so, like Arnold in his early career (c.Commando and T1/T2), he is an ideal action star. Like Arnold he seems to embrace his limitations in this movie and he fares far better for it.
Michael Pena as Nicholas Memphis (a name only a pulp novelist or action movie scribe could come up with) plays his bumbling but very smart FBI agent in a very engaging and likable manner. He's easy to side with as the conspiracy swirls around him. I hope to see a lot more of him in movies.
Kate Mara as the love interest Sara has one of the most believable Southern drawls I've heard in a long time. It's a soft one just like a Kentucky or Tennessee native ("mid-South" vs. deep). This coming from a native New Yorker is quite amazing.
"Shooter" is an ideal popcorn matinée flick, full of action that keeps you going pretty much to the end, which I have to admit is quite silly and overdone. But, then, this is pure entertainment--if you like a lot of gratuitous violence, of course--and worth the cost of admission.