Samantha Ling

The thing about video games is that it's got its own continuity that doesn't translate into film or even a novelb. I believe video game players are more likely to forgive the fact that your secret group of assassins have a telltale look. That any agency paying any sort of attention will notice that there were quite a few people that have barcode tattoos slapped onto the back of their bald-ass heads and they wear the same Men-In-Black type suits. In video games, people really want a game plays well, isn't repetitive and is challenging. Story is secondary. I mean, look at Gears of War. It had very little storytelling ability and it was considered one of the best games when it came out. (It was a little short, imho. And I like a game with story a la Halo.)

So when I think a video game is translated into film, I don't necessarily think that it should follow the game storyline completely. I think the makers have to take a look at the video game storyline and see if it'll translate well enough. And when it doesn't, they can take the basic idea of the story and adapt it to make it a better story. Let's face it, how can you be part of a secret assassin organization when you've got such a distinct look. I think you can pay homage to the game by giving Agent 47 his red tie outfit at the beginning of the film, but then have him change into regular clothes like everyone else. So he can, like, hide out He could grow some hair or get a wig. There's no wonder he was so easy to track looking the way he did.

And don't let me start on his laptop talking to him. Anyone with his ear pressed to the hotel door could hear his assassination transactions. There's no such thing as encrypted air!

This movie could have had a lot of potential. He could have had a great story arc about who he was, who he wanted to be, how he could become something else. A hitman trained from birth can question a lot of things, especially having been double-crossed by his society. But as it was, there was no reason to keep the hooker/girlfriend/slave girl alive, much less treat her well. The fact that she tattooed her face and it reminded him of the tattoo at the back of his head made no sense. Like what about that made him feel connected to the girl. I mean, he was trained not to have any feelings, so why not just pull the trigger when he was done interrogating her? His motivations weren't clear and his story arc was totally absent. He went from uncaring assassin to someone who wanted out in a blink of an eye. I went in not expecting a lot. I never do in video game adaptations. But I came out wishing it was more. It's like watching Good Will Hunting, but Will continues to clean floors the whole movie.

I wouldn't suggest going to the theatre watching this movie. It's a "do your chores while the tv is on" worthy.

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