Killer Elite
Tags: murder, violence, revenge, flashback, action, romantic

Plot synopsis:
In 1980, mercenaries Danny Bryce (Jason Statham), Hunter (Robert De Niro), Davies (Dominic Purcell), and Meier (Aden Young) are in Mexico to assassinate a man. Danny unwittingly kills him in front of his young child, then is injured during the getaway. Affected by this outcome, Danny retires and returns to his native Australia.
The following year, Danny is summoned to Oman where Hunter is being held captive. He meets with an agent (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) who arranges missions for assassins and learns that Hunter accepted a $6 million job but failed to accomplish it. If Danny doesn't complete Hunter's mission, Hunter will be executed.
Danny is introduced to Sheikh Amr, a deposed king of a small region of Oman who wants Danny to kill three former SAS troopers—Steven Harris (Lachy Hulme), Steven Cregg (Grant Bowler), and Simon McCann (Daniel Roberts)—for killing his three eldest sons during the Dhofar Rebellion. Danny must videotape their confessions and make their deaths look like accidents, and he must do it before the terminally ill Sheikh dies. This will allow the Sheikh's fourth son, Bakhait (Firass Dirani), to regain control of the desert region his father had ruled. If Danny fails, Hunter will be killed. Danny reunites with Davies and Meier. They agree to help him in exchange for a share of the money.
As Danny and Meier sneak into the house of their first target, Steven Harris, in Oman, Davies, in England, questions local bar patrons about former SAS members. This is reported to the Feathermen, a secret society of former operatives protecting their own. Their head enforcer, Spike Logan (Clive Owen), is sent to investigate.
After Harris has confessed on videotape, Danny and Meier take him to the bathroom. They plan to kill him by hitting him over the head with a hammer made from a bathroom tile, then leave the body to look like Harris slipped and hit his head. In the process, Harris' girlfriend arrives, knocking on the door. While Harris and Meier are distracted waiting for her to leave, Harris attempts to break free, causing Meier to kill him hastily in a struggle.
Back in London, Davies discovers the second target, Steven Cregg, preparing for a long nighttime march in wintry weather at the Brecon Beacons mountain range. Davies creates a diversion; posing as a civilian having car problems outside the base's fence, allowing Danny to infiltrate the base. Inside, he drugs Cregg's coffee, causing him to go into shock and die of hypothermia during the march. Danny, in uniform, follows Cregg on the march, and makes him confess on videotape before he dies.
Their last target, Simon McCann, currently works as a mercenary, after being discharged from the SAS following a car bombing that made him mentally unstable. Their plan is to rig a truck to respond to remote control, and crash it into McCann's car while he is driving, making his death look like a traffic accident. With the help of a new and inexperienced team member, Jake (Michael Dorman), Meier successfully kills McCann; however, Logan and his men were watching over McCann. A gun fight in the docks ensues, and Meier is accidentally killed by the inexperienced Jake. Danny and Davies decide that the case is over, and they part ways. Soon after, Davies is tracked down by Logan's men, and is hit by a truck and killed while trying to escape them.
Danny returns to Oman and gives the Sheikh the last taped confession, which he has faked. Hunter is released and returns to his family, while Danny heads back to Australia and reunites with Anne (Yvonne Strahovski), a childhood acquaintance. Soon, he is informed by the Agent that there is one last man who participated in the Sheikh's sons' murders and that this man, Ranulph Fiennes, is about to release a book about his experiences as a member of the SAS.
Danny tells Anne to go to France with Hunter to protect her while he carries out the last job. The Sheikh’s son confirms that Harris was an innocent man. Logan, meanwhile, traces Danny through the Agent and sends a team to protect the author, but Jake distracts them, allowing Danny to infiltrate the building and shoot the author. He chooses to only wound the author, however, but takes pictures that appear to show him dead. Logan chases and captures Danny, taking him to an abandoned warehouse, but he is interrupted when an agent from the British government arrives and reveals that the British government is behind the events because of the Sheikh's valuable oil reserves. A three-way battle ensues, with Danny escaping and Logan shooting the government agent.
In Paris, Anne goes to take the subway. The Agent and a henchman are waiting for her because the Agent plans to kidnap her for ransom. But Hunter follows her, beats the henchman and shoots the Agent in the leg. The Agent then tries to explain that it is just for business. Hunter seems threatening at first, but then spares his life.
Danny and Hunter head to Oman to give the Sheikh the pictures. However, Logan arrives first, confronts the Sheikh, telling him that the pictures are fake and then stabs him to death. The Sheikh's son does not care and gives over the money, which was intended for Danny and Hunter, to Logan. Hunter spots Logan leaving, and they chase after him, along with the Sheikh's men.
After stopping the Sheikh's men, Danny and Hunter confront Logan on a desert road. Danny says that Logan can keep the money (though Hunter takes some for his expenses and his family). They give Logan the remainder, telling him that he'll need it to start a new life away from the government after killing the government agent and acting against the wishes of the Feathermen and the British government. Danny says that it's over for him and that Logan must make up his own mind. They leave him there, saying they'll send a cab for him from the airport. Danny meets with Anne in France to start a new life.

Review: And a story that's somewhat better than you usually find in this particular kind of film.Don't know that Jason Statham's a great actor, exactly, but he's definitely a presence and he's got others to do the acting around him, and he performs in a several action scenes that come right up to the edge without getting silly.
It suggests that they are having those moments, but doesn't linger on them or play them up at all; they are just facts, like everything else that happens in the movie (fights, deaths, kidnappings, etc.).The story is complicated, involving at least 5 separately motivated factions, but at no time was it confusing (so there was no need for an "aha!" moment).The fight scenes were all exceedingly well choreographed and fit the story so well that there was never a time when 2 people were facing off just so we could see them fight; I really appreciated that.All in all, a very satisfying film: lots of action, lots of very good acting, and lots of attention to detail (it really looked like it was the early 1980s).I was going to give this a 7/10, but as I was writing and thinking about it, I upped it to 8/10..
STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning Set in 1980, Killer Elite is based on a true story, revolving around SAS agent Danny (Jason Statham) who owes everything to his friend and mentor Hunter (Robert De Niro.) So when he is taken hostage in Oman, Danny is forced to co-operate with the kidnappers demands: that the three soldiers responsible for the death of his son are hunted down around the globe and killed.
But then fact is often stranger than fiction, and the exploits of Britain's elite special forces could no doubt throw up even stranger tales.This is a slick, stylish enough film, that carries off it's various action sequences and tense moments with the requisite style and aplomb, even if it doesn't generate the amount of suspense it could have and the whole thing does feel a tad disjointed and sporadic.
Instead I got a realistic experience, a complex story, a great cast and good acting all around.The plot revolves around Statham's character, a hired killer who decides to get out of the business.
KILLER ELITE continues this career legacy suicideThere's something ridiculous watching a a 68 year old DeNiro getting in to a shoot out with bad guys but ridiculous doesn't even begin to describe KILLER ELITE a thriller based on a " true story" by former SAS soldier , explorer and adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes .
After a brilliantly exciting opening in a thrilling terrorist action executed by Danny (Jason Statham) his mentor named Hunter (Robert De Niro , he is the only American born actor in this film) is taken captive by a disgraced Arab sheik, then the killer-for-hire is forced into action .
The main cast is pretty good such as Jason Statham , Clive Owen , Yvonne Strahovski and Robert De Niro .
Based on a true story, Killer Elite sees a hired assassin called back into duty when his mentor is held hostage by a powerful sheik who wants revenge on the SAS men who killed his sons.
However the targets are a paranoid bunch and once a few questions are asked and one of the men dies, the secretive group behind the deaths put former soldier Spike onto the case, pitting the two trained killers against each other.This film feels like a missed opportunity and more must have been hoped for it – not least by the relatively big name stars that were involved.
So, for example, this sort of generic thriller really suits simple characters, simple plots and thumping action scenes but instead Killer Elite hands us with two groups, neither of whom are particularly "likeable", so the genre approach tells the viewer to root for the good guy – but the plot gives us no clue as to who this is.
Akinnuoye-Agbaje only has a small role but, as a fan of Oz who knows how good he can be, it is always good to see him in things.There is a good story in Killer Elite but unfortunately all but the bullet points is lost in a telling that is trying to make more of a standard thriller and doesn't seem able or willing to do anything with the murky aspects of plot or characters.
There is the secret society called the feather-men (because their touch is sooo soooft), some oil sheik who hires Danny by kidnapping his mentor and a whole slew of characters and sub-characters that inhabit the Killer Elite world that all manage to be a little inconsistent with the rules of the movie.Jason Statham, DiNiro and Clive Owen star, one gets the feeling they aren't in the movie but are sort of doing their thing floating above it.
I want to read the book now because one thing about these types of movies is plot and all its twists which we get very little of and what we do get is lots of action scenes because lets face it David is not the dramatic actor he is an action man so what starts off strong goes off and on the rails repeatedly.
"Killer Elite", not to be confused for the Sam Peckinpah film of the same name, is basically Jason Statham being Jason Statham kicking ass, but this time he's facing off against Clive Owen and a bunch of other, more sophisticated bad guys.
Killer Elite takes the perspective of a novelist who wrote about the era and the alleged events in this film and takes the position of the former.The film begins in 1980 with experienced, well traveled mercenaries Danny (Jason Statham) and Hunter (Robert De Niro) carrying out a job.
A group who like to see their members remain low key – and alive.The group is lead by a committee but the leg work and ground ops are managed by Spike (Clive Owen), a skilled ex-soldier loyal to a fault to the SAS, and willing to do whatever it takes to prevent the loss of any of his colleagues.Spike takes it real personal that other men want to see his men come to harm.The film has interesting patches and a couple of worthwhile chase sequences but nothing that separates it from the pack.
They also manage a three or four minute fight scene in a hospital ward that obeys the cinematic convention that demands faceless good and bad guys can be dispatched in one or two blows, but if you make the poster you can take and deliver 672 punches without bruising, bleeding or indeed breathing particularly heavily.Danny, Spike and co criss-cross the globe in pursuit of each other, with each side simultaneously watching and being watched while stuffy old guys discuss a lot of hush-hush, need to know, touch the side of the nose with the index finger sort of stuff.Killer Elite is a little too flashy and commercial for classic De Niro, and not flashy enough for classic Statham.
I sometimes think Jason Statham shows some promise, but then other times he seems determined too be just another star off mediocre action movies.
I thought "Killer Elite" might off been ace because off Robert De Niro and Clive Owens presence, but never judge a book by its cover.This is the Jason Statham off the "Transporter" movies that's in this one.
Queue lots off random people connected to the situation being offed and eventually De Niro being saved.There are barely any wise-cracks in the movie so I suppose it's supposed to being taken seriously, and is even based on a true story (although I doubt some off the "James Bond" stunts Statham pulls off are based on what really happened to influence this).
If film makers think action fans don't care, they need to think again and stop giving us a jumbled, incoherent mess of a fight scene.The shoot outs are decent, but De Niro barely has his moments, since the story line keeps him as the one needing rescue.
The action is really good especially when it involves Jason Statham (Danny- retired member of Britain's Elite Special Air Service) and Clive Owen (Spike- who belongs to a secret military society).
Killer Elite is a mediocre action film, but I have to admit that it kept me moderately entertained at least, mainly because of the performances from Jason Statham, Clive Owen and Robert De Niro.On some way, I appreciated the methodic rhythm from Killer Elite, as well as the gradual introduction of characters, more intrigue and more hidden intentions.
So I find this film, it has two of my favourite actors in it (Robert De Niro and Jason Statham), it starts off well with some good shoot-out action and them two together.Then I just have no idea what happened, the film was all over the place.
This is the task Danny needs to accomplish in exchange for Hunters Freedom.Based on the book The Feather Men written by Ranulph Fiennes KILLER ELITE is a politically twisted thriller that is no more than hard fisted punches, gunpowder and pure uncontrolled testosterone.
It would not be wrong if I am to say that this movie is indeed one for the fans; The Fans of Jason Statham, Clive Owen and Robert De Niro!For those De Niro fans do not get carried away since De Niro is more a cameo rather a star this time round.
It seems that since of late the legend called De Niro is being calling the wrong shots since his last mega must watch production HEAT back from the 90s.Correct me if I am out of line here, however I believe that since then there has not been a movie for the legend that truly did just to the man!Statham, Owen and Dominic Purcell (Prison Break) delivers just what they are good at doing best.
It's only his second attempt behind the camera and he managed to work with some great Hollywood heavy weights and I am certain the next time it will just keep getting better.Title: KILLER ELITE Directed by: Gary McKendry Starring: Jason Statham, Clive Owen, Dominic Purcell,, Aden Young and Robert De Niro Rated: R for strong violence, language and some sexuality/ nudity Rating:5.5/10 116 minutes.
Add more GREAT actors in none other then the man himself, New Yorker Robert De Niro, who shines just as bright in what scenes he has, he may not have as much screen time as Jason & Clive, but he steals its, and wow :) Dominic Purcell (Prison Break, Equilibrium and Blade 3) is a good looking dude, but in this film he looks very much the part of a grungie 80's man lol.
Spike (Clive Owen) leads the rogue group of ex-SAS assassins.It's a very convoluted story and it seems like a badly written Bond movie.
"Killer Elite" is no different.In this action flick, the story revolves around Jason being pulled out of secret agent retirement because his mentor Robert de Niro got kidnapped by a Osama Bin Laden look-alike who wants to avenge the murder of his sons by some British guys.
This is everything you would expect in a Jason Statham action movie, plus the star power of Clive Owen and Robert de Niro in there to boot.
Also, a great cast featuring two among the coolest action stars(Statham and Owen), and Robert De Niro.
Let me just say that in my opinion Jason Statham is my favorite actor, I don't know why some people are completely hating on this movie and the acting.I agree with one point the came up in some reviews, you never really get to know the characters, they had the flash backs which were awesome, and I feel like they should have added a couple moreMany movies I recently watched I have been disappointed, but Killer Elite was awesome!STATHAM NEEDS TO BE IN MORE MOVIES AND THEY NEED TO COME OUT FASTER ...one a week should be enough :P.
Loosely based on a book by Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Killer Elite is essentially a Jason Statham vehicle that his fans will enjoy.In 1980, Danny Bryce (Statham) is an assassin who quits after killing a target in front of his young son in Mexico.
Owen is the best performer in a movie filled with average performances.Overall, Killer Elite is a loud, typical action thriller that is not going to set the world alight, but it is still entertaining for Statham fans..
If you like Jason Statham action movies then this film will not disappoint you.
For what it is, it works well, pure action, nice settings, based on true events I don't know (not confirmed, since it is classified), but still a good action movie.Killer elite might be putting it over the top, it is a film about assassins or killers for hire and how they help each other or try to if something goes wrong, even though they properly shouldn't.
The always hard hitting Jason Statham is the main person in this and he gets accompanied by other big names such as Robert De Niro, Clive Owen and Dominic Purcell.
A killer for hire is sent on a mission to rescue his old mentor.Starring Jason Statham, Clive Owen and Robert De Nero.Screenplay by Matt Sherring.
The opening had Statham's Danny and De Niro's Hunter chilling in what would be a bar, only to serve as the big bang introduction to the first set action piece, where Danny decides to call his life of killing quits after seeing how the innocent get tangled into their job, and getting injured during this hesitation.Fast forward to a year into his retirement, he gets forced back into the game given a Sheik in Oman had imprisoned Hunter, and for the latter's freedom, Danny has to fish out ex members of Britain's elite Special Air Service involved with killing the Sheik's three sons, and therefore paving the way for his fourth to assume his place as the rightful heir without being gunned down.
There are two parts to the story, and each were intriguing in its own way, with the first focused on the mission Danny and team had on hand, and the later half on the repercussions when the long arm of Spike and his team managed to close in and run fences around Danny and his team.Statham versus Owen in at least two fisticuffs were the highlights of the film, and despite a little flaw in shooting the action up close, they were the most intense battles of the lot in the film, which had car chases to close quartered combat.
Yvonne Strahovski plays the lone female token in the film as Danny's main squeeze, though her story arc is quite negligible only to offer Danny a reason to quit his risky life of kill or be killed, and for some token romantic scenes to toss up the series of testosterone filled dialogue or action.Easily one of the best thrillers set in the Middle East in recent years, with its 80s setting involving oil, power and mercenary brokers, there's this uncanny repetition of history, should this be real as claimed, in what's happening in the Middle East now.
Also this is best performance I've seen from Jason Statham.Though some aspects may be stereotypical of action thrillers, being based on true events makes this movie rather interesting.This is definitely one of the best of its genre..
They made the movie look like a new 'The Transporter' sequel and although Jason Statham is here, 'Killer Elite' has next to nothing to do with 'The Transporter' when it comes to tone, story, characters, setting, etc.This time the story is a lot more compelling.
Nevertheless, Killer Elite is one of the best story-based action movies in long time..
Even with talented actors like Robert De Niro, Jason Statham and Clive Owen, Killer Elite fails to be gripping or thrilling due to the stale subject matter and flat direction.
When you get Jason Statham and Clive Owen on the same screen, and throw in an aging badass like Robert DeNiro, you just know that it's going to be one heck of a ride.This film is such a heck of a ride, it almost makes you want to get off at the end, turn right around to get back in line and do it again.
Killer Elite is, after a fashion, based on a true story about a retired operative, Danny (Jason Statham) who goes back into the business when his mentor Hunter (Robert DeNiro) is being held hostage.
And truth be told, then I didn't know it was Dominic Purcell in that role before I checked it on IMDb."Killer Elite" has a lot of action, which is to be expected, as it is a Statham movie after all.
'KILLER ELITE': Three Stars (Out of Five)Jason Statham action vehicle featuring Robert De Niro and Clive Owen in supporting turns!
Statham delivers his usual 'cool' action tough guy performance, Owen is perfectly adequate and it is kind of fun to see De Niro in a movie like this.
I do not want to provide an exact plot synopsis but essentially Danny Bryce (Jason Statham) must kill some ex-SAS men to save his assassin mentor (Robert De Niro) from some Omani oil sheiks.
I know Jason Statham doesn't have the best track record when it comes to the quality of the movies he stars in but when add Dominic Purcell, Clive Owen, and the great Robert De Niro, to me it's worth the shot.Killer Elite, did not live up to the expectation such a cast would inspire.
If some of you thought that this is just another Jason Statham action movie, you're right.
In addition to Statham, the movie also features Clive Owen, Robert De Niro & Dominic Purcell (Prison Break) in interesting leads.