Yo! MC: The Next Jam!

03.18.2015 – “The Gunman” seemed to be one of those unknown action films, but you look at the cast list you have Javier Bardem, Idris Elba and Ray Winstone to headline with lead star Sean Penn. This is helmed by the same director who brought you District 13 and Taken, which was written by Don Macpherson and Pete Travis, based on the novel The Prone Gunman by Jean-Patrick Manchette. (Please CLICK on the title for the full article)

From the start pacing was something you’ll notice if you’re looking for straight edge action. But there’s nothing like a good back story and how Jim “Twink” Terrier winds up being the human target for most part of the film. Character developments were not the issue Sean Penn was great but for the women it’s hard to ignore him being shirtless for most of the time.

There’s little more than one incident that would the change the character’s life. There were so many layers in the story to get into the main sequence. Visually the aerial shots and the view of the places where the film was just alright, but sometimes you have to limit that and get into the meat of the story.

For an hour and 55 minutes you get to see how “Twink” Terrier try to get one step ahead of those who are after him. It has most of the drama but less of the highly anticipated action scenes that seemed half baked. It is a watchable film just there’s too much lengthy sequence that feels like you’ve been toured to the places they had principle photography.

Overall Sean Penn has performed well along with the cast, but that didn’t save much of an interesting story for some great action sequence. It’s like Penn is being molded that same way Liam Neeson is being introduced as a middle age action hero.

It actually works but the story was not in sync with the how the cast greatly performed. The film is still watchable for most of the action sequence, but stalls with lengthy vanity scenes that could have been minimized and focused on the important parts.

“The Gunman” now showing in Philippine cinemas nationwide from StudioCanal locally distributed by OctoArts Films.

RATED: 2.5 Out of 5 Stars