“Shooter” (Paramount Pictures)
Hits the Bulls-Eye
Mark Wahlberg stars in the new action film “Shooter.” As John Wayne did before him, he creates an on screen persona that is totally likeable and admirable. He stands for truth and justice and will go to any means to preserve and protect those qualities even if it means vanquishing those at the highest levels of government. He is a Mr. Right who will avenge every wrong done to him. And in doing this he brings out the audience’s inner vigilante.
In this movie Wahlberg plays Bob Lee Swagger, a military man who is an excellent sharpshooter. When his partner and spotter is killed in a military exercise Swagger returns home to America and becomes a recluse of sorts. He lives up in the mountains with only his faithful dog as company.
One day he is visited by a government official named Isaac Johnson (Danny Glover) and is asked to help prevent an assassination attempt on the life of the President. Since Swagger is such a good shot he can look at some places where shots could be taken at the President and tell how such an attempt could be avoided.
Swagger studies the possibilities and makes his report, but then there is an attempt on the President’s life and Swagger is named as the most promising suspect. Now he must go on the run to try and clear his name. His only help comes from his former partner’s wife, Sarah (Kate Mara) and a suspicious FBI Agent named Nick (Michael Pena).
This is the kind of movie that gets the adrenaline going and keeps it at a high level. Wahlberg creates an Everyman and makes the audience root for him from beginning to end. The suspense is in seeing how he goes about clearing his name and protecting those who have befriended him.
Wahlberg is low key and soft-spoken in the role. He is totally believable in the physical activity of the part and also in the painful shyness and reticence of the character. With each role he becomes a better and better actor and this movie shows he can carry a film completely on his own. In “Shooter” he is the star and there is no doubt about it.
Mara is cute and quirky as the love interest in the film. She is only a supporting player but she is a good one. Pena is also good as the FBI Agent. He is the perfect sidekick for a man like the one Wahlberg plays.
The movie is rated R for profanity and violence.
“Shooter” is a throwback to the Charles Bronson movie “Death Wish.” This hero is a man who goes outside the law to bring those who would break the law to justice. It might not be playing by the books but it sure does make for an action packed and enjoyable movie story.
If you want a nice way to escape the humdrum sameness of your days then take in “Shooter.” It is a movie meant to rev up your adrenaline and keep you enthralled. Wahlberg “shoots” and he scores.
I scored “Shooter” a bulls-eye 7 out of 10.
