Starring
Chad Michael Collins, Danay Garcia, Tom Berenger, Billy Zane, Joe
Lando. Directed by Claudio Fah. (2017, 93 min).
Did
you know there were seven movies in the
Sniper franchise? Neither did I. Then again, I stopped
paying attention after the first one didn't exactly set my world on fire. But
what's interesting about this particular series is that, unlike many
other action franchises with countless direct-to-video, in-name-only
sequels featuring no-names you've never seen before, original star Tom
Berenger keeps coming back, often with Billy Zane in tow.
There's
nothing wrong with that, either. Berenger hasn't exactly been a
marquee name for a couple of decades and Zane has been a DVD budget
bin staple for nearly as long. Why not return for a paycheck while
giving this ongoing series a level of continuity most others of its
ilk don't enjoy?
They're
both supporting characters now and have been for the past several
films (a smart narrative choice given their ages). The reins had
long-since been handed to Chad Michael Collins, playing Brandon
Beckett, Thomas' son, who proves the apple doesn't fall too far from
the tree. In Sniper: Ultimate Kill, he's recruited by Dad to
assist Colombian DEA agent Kate Estrada (Danay Garcia) in bringing
down Morales, a ruthless druglord. But Morales has hired a
super-sniper of his own, who uses 'smart bullets' that are capable of
actually chasing their targets (though it's never fully explained how).
The shooter, known as El Diablo, is not only targeting Morales'
competitors, but Beckett and Estrada.
 |
| Looks like someone needs to clean his gun. |
For
direct-to-video fodder, Sniper: Ultimate Kill is fairly
exciting, with ample amounts of gunplay, gratuitous sex and exploding
heads (sorta like Scanners with rifles). Beckett isn't what
anyone would call dynamic character, but Collins fills the role
nicely and looks enough like Berenger to actually pass for his son.
Berenger and Zane's characters are mostly inconsequential, not given
a hell of a lot to do except offer running commentary on what's
happening. Still, they are the continuity of the franchise and fans
will be happy to see them.
Fortunately
for newcomers - or those like me, who've been away awhile - prior
knowledge of the other films isn't a prerequisite, as Sniper:
Ultimate Kill tells a decent enough stand-alone story. None of it
is especially memorable and won't likely leave one pining for the
inevitable Sniper 8, but there's enough action and violence to
maintain interest on a dull evening.
EXTRA
KIBBLES
None
KITTY CONSENSUS:
NOT BAD...LIKE CAT CHOW
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