Shooter

The timing of the release of this film in Australia is unfortunate given what happened in the USA this week.
That said, the first thing to know about Shooter is that this is a very good film.
I say that because I went in expecting a bit of mindless action, I guess, even though it stars Mark Walhberg, who is really becoming a decent actor.
Wahlberg plays Bob Lee Swagger, a government trained marksman who was abandoned on a mission and left for dead. His partner is killed and he goes into exile. Three years later he is drawn back into the world when Colonel Isaac Johnson (Danny Glover) seeks him out to foil an attempted assassination on the president.
Or so he is led to believe. Swagger is double crossed by Johnson and framed for the assassination and he goes on the run.
Wahlberg is particularly good as the man determined to get justice and revenge on those who have used him and is unnervingly convincing. Yes there are probably some holes in the plot and such but, let's face it, it is an action film. However, it does have some intelligence and certainly had me hooked and interested.
It's also interesting to see Glover in the bad guy role, particularly in the light of his role in the Lethal Weapon films.
Shooter did surprise me but in hindsight these type of movies hang on how likeable the lead is and Wahlberg is very likeable, as is the support cast. So, while it's not Oscar material, Shooter is a tight, entertaining action film. An 8 out of 10.