Hitman: Agent 47 is a video game adaptation from up-and-coming director, Aleksander Bach. While explosive and visually stimulating, this action thriller starts with great promise and then becomes increasingly dull as we try to connect with stilted performances and insubstantial characters.

The first Hitman movie starred Timothy Olyphant and while only serviceable is still better than Hitman: Agent 47. The latest installment incorporates more elements from the video game in terms of stealth, disguise and swift kills. It also turns our cold-blooded killer into an Agent Smith meets Terminator style anti-hero, which is quite a smart and refreshing approach.

Rupert Friend is an interesting choice to play Agent 47 and while he may not be perfect for the role, it works. Initially, he’s observed from a distance, keeping the character aloof and enigmatic – much like the video game. His co-star, Hannah Ware, is beautiful but for all intents and purposes could have been wearing a mask. She has the looks, but is inaccessible and robotic, something that hinders us from truly embracing the story. Zachary Quinto is a welcome addition to the ensemble, but casting the current Spock when you’re in desperate need of a life-like human just douses the flames.

“…I played A LOT of Duck Hunt as a child.”

Hitman: Agent 47 looks the part with its stylish visuals, explosive action set pieces and handsome cast, but it’s just too bulletproof. The characters are icy, invincible and dead-eyed to the point that they may as well have used the video game artistry. The dopamine levels are low, despite various attempts to spice things up with creative and unintentionally funny kills. Hitman: Agent 47 soon becomes a series of routine challenges on “easy” as the bad guys line up to be skewered.

Even the CGI seems to be stretched thin at points, blurring the line between a video game, which actually seemed more realistic and the suspended reality of a live-action Hitman. Video game adaptations have their issues and many were hoping this one would have overcome many of the flaws of the original Hitman, however it seems like more of a money-spinner with Audi showcasing almost as many cars as Mercedes-Benz did in A Good Day to Die Hard.

Without any substance: a connection to the characters, a serious challenge to overcome or an engaging story to lean back on, Hitman: Agent 47 is all about the eye candy. While Hannah Ware and her leading men are good-looking and the visuals are slick, this thin veil doesn’t hold our attention long and it gradually becomes an exercise in patience, which is further hampered by the film-makers attempts to subvert some poor casting decisions.

The bottom line: Dull

Release date: 4 September, 2015
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