|
Special Offers and Product Promotions
- Jubilee offer: spend £10 or more on any product sold by Amazon.co.uk on or before June 6 and you can buy The Diamond Jubilee A Classical Celebration Album for just £2.50 Here's how (terms and conditions apply)
Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
|
Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
They're not exactly The Expendables, but the idea of gathering Jason Statham, Clive Owen, and Robert De Niro for special ops duty in Killer Elite gives rise to some basic expectations: and sure enough, there's Statham as the cool, compact trained killer, and De Niro as the grizzled seen-it-all-veteran of some very off-the-record assassinations, and Owen as the smooth-talking (and curiously mustachioed) insider with a mess to clean up. These three fellows might indeed make for a badass team in some international thriller, but this particular international thriller is so ham-handed and breathlessly "stylish" that the actors are stranded amidst the relentless noise. De Niro's character gets kidnapped early in the proceedings (and spends most of the movie off-screen), so Statham must come back on the job and rescue his old killer-in-arms. But there's a bigger plot a-turning, based on Ranulph Fiennes's novel, which was allegedly a real tale of espionage, although this claim has been disputed. (This film is not related to Sam Peckinpah's 1975 film The Killer Elite). Director Gary McKendry serves up some bone-crunching moments, which almost drown out the sound of the tin-ear dialogue, and Owen manages to emerge with dignity intact. That will have to suffice as a recommendation for hard-core action fans. --Robert Horton
DVD Description
Based on a true story, Killer Elite races across the globe from Australia to Paris, London and the Middle East in the action-packed account of an ex-special ops agent (Jason Statham) who is lured out of retirement to rescue his mentor (Robert De Niro). To make the rescue, he must complete a near-impossible mission of killing three tough-as-nails assassins with a cunning leader (Clive Owen).
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
Having missed this movie when it hit the cinemas, I watched Killer Elite last night at home on dvd. The fact I then made the effort to jump onto Amazon to write a review should tell you it's a decent movie straight away. If you are unfamiliar with Jason Statham movies, or just action movies in general, there are a few simple rules to adhere to in order to get maximum enjoyment from them:
1) Statham plays the "same" character in almost every single one of his movies. If you're going into a Statham movie expecting him to read Shakespeare, leave now and don't waste your 90 minutes.
2) It's an action film first and everything else second. Meaning the plot will have holes (for an assassin, 'the welshman' here is less reliable than a shotgun with chocolate bullets..), there will be countless errors in realism (set in the eighties, but notice the cafe prices in Euros..) If you go into an action movie and want to review things like that then you shoudn't be watching it as you're clearly looking for ways to put it down or feel good about yourself.
Jason Statham is doing the kind of thing we, as action fans, used to appreciate from the likes of Sylvester Stallone and Jean Claude Van Damme. Every one of his movies is familiar to the last and the plot could be picked apart by over-analytical, self appointed critic types but the fact is we don't care. Commando (the most terrible movie of all time in terms or realism, plot holes and character development) stands as one of the greatest action movies ever made. That tells the story here. He provides great action movies on dvd regularly and this is another one. He ain't never gonna win an Oscar but this is watchable and fun for guys.
Get a pizza, watch this and have some good proper 'man film' entertainment.
1) Statham plays the "same" character in almost every single one of his movies. If you're going into a Statham movie expecting him to read Shakespeare, leave now and don't waste your 90 minutes.
2) It's an action film first and everything else second. Meaning the plot will have holes (for an assassin, 'the welshman' here is less reliable than a shotgun with chocolate bullets..), there will be countless errors in realism (set in the eighties, but notice the cafe prices in Euros..) If you go into an action movie and want to review things like that then you shoudn't be watching it as you're clearly looking for ways to put it down or feel good about yourself.
Jason Statham is doing the kind of thing we, as action fans, used to appreciate from the likes of Sylvester Stallone and Jean Claude Van Damme. Every one of his movies is familiar to the last and the plot could be picked apart by over-analytical, self appointed critic types but the fact is we don't care. Commando (the most terrible movie of all time in terms or realism, plot holes and character development) stands as one of the greatest action movies ever made. That tells the story here. He provides great action movies on dvd regularly and this is another one. He ain't never gonna win an Oscar but this is watchable and fun for guys.
Get a pizza, watch this and have some good proper 'man film' entertainment.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I was undecided whether to give this film 4 or 5 star. In the end it gets 5 because I don't think there's any other film out there like it.
If I put my mind to it, sure I could probably think of one, but the heady mix of a brilliant cast, incredible action, fantastic performances, a thrilling story line with lots of different layers to it, a stylised, British backdrop and the fact that it's based on a true story, makes Killer Elite feel very special.
Based on events on Sir Ranulph Fiennes' famous book, The Feather Men, the film follows a team of hit men tasked with taking out a group of ex sas servicemen, who were caught up in the messy business of the secret war in Oman.
As with any Statham film, expect high octane action with energetic performances, but where as lot of his other films lack any sort of cerebral story line, Killer Elite definitely benefits from one.
There's a brilliant supporting cast which includes Deniro and Clive Owen, who suits the role of an ex regiment soldier perfectly and really looks the part.
The Blu Ray transfer looked good but the disc lacked any worthwhile extras, with only a making of documentary and a token but pointless interview with Statham. Still, I wouldn't let the lack of extras put you off.
Admittedly, this sort of film is right up my street (I have an interest in ex servicemen, mercenary work and soldiers or fortune etc.) but leaving my biases aside, it's still the best SAS flick I've seen in years and beats Who Dares Wins any day of the week.
Overall, I was left feeling there was something quite special abut this film and enjoyed the peek it gave me into the very shadowy world of government sanctioned killings and contract 'cleaners'.
If I put my mind to it, sure I could probably think of one, but the heady mix of a brilliant cast, incredible action, fantastic performances, a thrilling story line with lots of different layers to it, a stylised, British backdrop and the fact that it's based on a true story, makes Killer Elite feel very special.
Based on events on Sir Ranulph Fiennes' famous book, The Feather Men, the film follows a team of hit men tasked with taking out a group of ex sas servicemen, who were caught up in the messy business of the secret war in Oman.
As with any Statham film, expect high octane action with energetic performances, but where as lot of his other films lack any sort of cerebral story line, Killer Elite definitely benefits from one.
There's a brilliant supporting cast which includes Deniro and Clive Owen, who suits the role of an ex regiment soldier perfectly and really looks the part.
The Blu Ray transfer looked good but the disc lacked any worthwhile extras, with only a making of documentary and a token but pointless interview with Statham. Still, I wouldn't let the lack of extras put you off.
Admittedly, this sort of film is right up my street (I have an interest in ex servicemen, mercenary work and soldiers or fortune etc.) but leaving my biases aside, it's still the best SAS flick I've seen in years and beats Who Dares Wins any day of the week.
Overall, I was left feeling there was something quite special abut this film and enjoyed the peek it gave me into the very shadowy world of government sanctioned killings and contract 'cleaners'.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I have to say I have been looking forward to seeing this film for quite a while, and I really wasn't disappointed. Starring Statham, Owen and, the very special icing on the cake, Robert De Niro, there was huge potential here for either something really good, or something truly dire (or any point in between!). Statham and De Niro are not exactly renowned for being choosy about scripts, and have both made some real turkeys as a result. But luckily here they are both on top form.
Statham is the standard Statham character. The ice cool professional man of violence, here cast as a professional killer. De Niro fills the seen it all mentor/friend role, whose kidnapping forces the Stath back into the game. Sent to hunt down and bump off three SAS men who annoyed Sheikh, he soon runs up against ex SAS man Clive Owen, and the shadowy organisation that backs him. What follows is some well staged action and thrills as Stath sets about completing his mission. The screen really comes alive when De Niro is on, and he gives a surprisingly committed performance. Clive Oven (complete with top lip caterpillar) is convincing as their opponent.
The plot is quite linear with a few holes and there are some real production errors (the film is set in the early eighties, and there are more than a few anachronisms on screen), but we can forgive all of this for the pleasure of the thrills and spills. The recreation of the eighties (ignoring the odd anachronism) is quite well done, and with all the old triumphs and MGs on display along with the odd facial hair it sometimes feels like an episode of the Professionals (no bad thing, I love that series). All it needed was for Stath to adopt a poodle perm and he could be Doyle... My one serious quibble would be that the film is a little too long, with a few scenes tacked on to the end that could have been cut, making the film a bit tighter. But apart from this, it's an excellent film. 4 stars.
Statham is the standard Statham character. The ice cool professional man of violence, here cast as a professional killer. De Niro fills the seen it all mentor/friend role, whose kidnapping forces the Stath back into the game. Sent to hunt down and bump off three SAS men who annoyed Sheikh, he soon runs up against ex SAS man Clive Owen, and the shadowy organisation that backs him. What follows is some well staged action and thrills as Stath sets about completing his mission. The screen really comes alive when De Niro is on, and he gives a surprisingly committed performance. Clive Oven (complete with top lip caterpillar) is convincing as their opponent.
The plot is quite linear with a few holes and there are some real production errors (the film is set in the early eighties, and there are more than a few anachronisms on screen), but we can forgive all of this for the pleasure of the thrills and spills. The recreation of the eighties (ignoring the odd anachronism) is quite well done, and with all the old triumphs and MGs on display along with the odd facial hair it sometimes feels like an episode of the Professionals (no bad thing, I love that series). All it needed was for Stath to adopt a poodle perm and he could be Doyle... My one serious quibble would be that the film is a little too long, with a few scenes tacked on to the end that could have been cut, making the film a bit tighter. But apart from this, it's an excellent film. 4 stars.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
gritty action
not the biggest fan of statham's, but this is one of his best films - period-set and really well done. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Mr. D. G. Ware
"..AWESOME!! TOP THRILLER.."
This is a top notch action thriller with a great story, plenty of action, and cool performances from a great cast, Statham is brilliant as usual playing the cool hard man Ex... Read more
Published 1 month ago by S. Drury
killer elite movie
This was a present for my Dad and I have not seen this movie myself. I believe it to be a gangster crime type movie.
Published 1 month ago by Siobhan Dawson
Killer Elite
Well what can I say but I loved this film no matter what others have said,so I was glad to have purchased it
Published 1 month ago by David
Old-school action with a tough British attitude
Very loosely based on a controversial expose novel, this action movie already has a lot going for it with a dependable cast who are made for just this kind of project. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Benminx
Disapointing
It looks promising when you see the cover and you wonder why you haven't really heard of it but unfortunatelly it's almost boring... Simply not a good movie
Published 1 month ago by Feij
One of Stathams Better Movies
Killer Elite is based on a true story from the Book , The Feather Men (1991) , by Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jules
great
this was a eye catching and fun film non stop action and great action with a even better plot. the actors where amasing and over all one of the best action mvies i have watched .
Published 1 month ago by aboutthngs
Brilliant
This film is another action-packed thriller from British talent. Owen and Statham are great main characters playing their role realistically. Read more
Published 1 month ago by SSKS
It was ok !!
This has to be one of Jason's inbetween films as it was not up to par I was expecting this to be as good as most of Jason's films but was very disappointed in fact I didnt even... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Asian Beauty
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
