Movie Review - Shooter

Mark Wahlberg is becoming one of my favorite reasons to see a movie. He had proven himself as a truly great actor, and the action packed Shooter shows his strengths. In the movie Shooter, Wahlberg plays Bob Lee Swagger (playing on the tendency of famous assassins to have 3 names) a scout sniper. Within the 1st few minutes we see the traditional “best friend’s death scene”, and main character inevitably wounded by it. Yes, this is an obvious ploy to give the main character a fully “justified” reason to kick some major butt for the rest of the movie. However, I’m not too sophisticated to avoid falling into righteous indignation right along with him. The basic plot of this movie was well broadcast in the previews, good guy gets framed for doing what he thought he was preventing. Truthfully, there are few twists, and while it is a political intrigue it blissfully avoids all contact with real politics. Despite its simplicity or may be because of it, I loved this movie. It’s a classic plot but its one that we all love, good guy kicks butt while looking great and saving the world. You’re continually in awe of him, and the various ways (making Napalm or running his own IV) his “toughness” comes through.

I would not suggest this movie for children; it has some rough language and a whole lot of violence. But spiritually, it had solid themes. Honor and duty were like breathing to Swagger. He was always prepared, and he treated his partner’s widow with true respect. There is no misunderstood villain in Shooter; every villain has only one side, pure evil. There is a love story.  Swagger falls in a quiet respectful kind of way, but there is no need to fast forward. The only skin you’ll see is Wahlberg’s chest (which I’m convinced is somehow required by contract in all his films.)

On a whole, Shooter was a thoroughly satisfying film. Action, suspense, love, and after all the bad guys had it coming…they shot his dog.

Purchase Shooter (Widescreen Edition).

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