Chabot Spectator

Issue date: 3/22/07 Section: The Scene

Media Credit: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures Bob Lee Swagger (Mark Wahlberg) trains FBI agent, Nick Memphis (Michael Pena) for revenge.

This action-thriller flick focuses on more than just killing, taking a closer look at government corruption, just as a sniper zooms in on his target, and resolves it as it was in the Wild West, with the pull of a trigger.

Mark Wahlberg stars as Bob Lee Swagger, the Marine Corps' top scout sniper, in Paramount's new film, Shooter.

Throughout the film, Swagger displays his deadly talent in several suspenseful scenes, from the forest to the snow.

Director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) does it again, blending a mix of non-stop action with an intricate plot that exposes government corruption.

Danny Glover, plays the supporting role as Col. Isaac Johnson, consulting Swagger to do a reconnaissance mission and provide information that only Swagger would know regarding an assassination attempt on the U.S. president.

Swagger soon discovers that he is the fall guy and miraculously eludes the conspirators after being shot twice. He then retreats to dress his wounds and commences a plan to find the real shooter, all in a fast-paced, visually-appealing manner.

During escape, Swagger has a quick encounter with FBI agent Nick Memphis, played by Michael Peña. In that instance, Swagger disarms and steals his vehicle, informing Memphis that he was set up.

After the brief encounter, Memphis compiles research of the recent presidential assassination attempt, concluding that Swagger was set up.

Both Swagger and Memphis confide in two women who help them with their cause. The lovely ladies, Sarah Fenn and Alourdes Galindo are played by Kate Mara and Rhona Mitra.

Shooter is by far the best sniper movie, and plays out as one might expect, the good guy prevailing over the bad guys, but there are certainly unexpected twists to look forward to.

This is an enjoyable flick for all patriots and proponents for justice everywhere. It provides controversy as it tackles issues of oil dependency and illegal military procedures, as well as government corruption at the highest level.

It could be acknowledged that Shooter is a subliminal ad for the Marines, glorifying the Corps' training and patriotic values, which is in no way a bad thing, except for the killing. But isn't that what soldiers are trained to do? Semper Fi!

Shooter
The Scene rating:3/4 starss
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Danny Glover, Rhona Mitra
Director: Antoine Fugua

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools