The Gunman

Open Road Films | Release Date: March 20, 2015

4.6	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 78 Ratings

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quincytheodoreMar 31, 2015

Good production on the vistas and action sequences, but lackluster story and imprecise use of the veteran actors hamper the movie. With credible cast touring different memorable cities, the film is visually engaging for most of the time. ItGood production on the vistas and action sequences, but lackluster story and imprecise use of the veteran actors hamper the movie. With credible cast touring different memorable cities, the film is visually engaging for most of the time. It also delivers a couple of devastating action choreography of Bourne level. However, it trudges through bland story of stereotypical espionage and uninteresting romance. While the collective acting prowess is barely able to keep the film interesting, these experienced actors surprisingly don't perform consistently enough to fully maximize their potential.

Story follows Terrier (Sean Penn), a secret operative who fled an African country after an assassination. Years later this come back to haunt as someone cleans up everyone who are involved of said assassination. Strangely, the thriller invests majority of the content for romance subplot between Terrier and Annie (Jasmine Trinca), the ex-lover who might still harbor feelings. These two don't have a lot of chemistry. Their characters are plain and one-dimensional, a rugged volatile man and his static wooden love interest.

It also creates needless love triangle plot that offers nothing but awkwardness, audience will know what to expect and still cringe at the execution. Credit to Javier Bardem as Felix, the love adversary of Terrier. He delivers the best performance with his enigmatic yet not-so-charismatic role. His character here might not be supremely likeable nor does he have lengthy appearance, but he's fascinating in every scene he graces. Idris Elba is always engaging, but he only makes brief appearance, even shorter than Bardem.

The bulk of the film rests on Sean Penn, who is undeniably a good actor and looking physically fit for this role, although he doesn't seem to be comfortable here. This kind of ex-special force gimmick isn't his forte and the way he interacts with Trinca's Annie is rigid. These two just don't mesh together, despite numerous erotic scenes. Penn is looking anguished or tormented while Trinca is all sad and confused all the time. It's just odd, and to make matter worse, their relationship is supposed to be the heart of the film.

Penn does better with the action. The movie has cool cinematography and choreography. It spans throughout many cities, which are portrayed with decent amount of flamboyant touches for their signature looks. Set pieces transition well, the film moves nicely when it's not encumbered by the banter. Action is produced with significant effort, they are fast and precise, exceptionally thrilling when strikes or bullets landed.

Unfortunately, the film also overreaches with political undertone. Its message might be more welcomed if it could at least make the audience relate to the core characters. The Gunman offers shooting spree across exotic places aplenty, but with such caliber cast, it could've been more than just an average spy thriller.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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TVJerryMar 24, 2015

Sean Penn is on the run after the guys who hired him to assassinate a major figure are out to eliminate him. His plight takes him down too many talky pathways and dull romantic moments. Since it's directed by Pierre Morel (who did theSean Penn is on the run after the guys who hired him to assassinate a major figure are out to eliminate him. His plight takes him down too many talky pathways and dull romantic moments. Since it's directed by Pierre Morel (who did the original "Taken"), the fight scenes are flashy and violent. There just aren't enough of them. Penn's very fit body (which is shown off plenty) belies his craggy, rough face, which is locked in an intense scowl. A forgettable film.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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LamontRaymondMar 20, 2015

It's pretty watchable, but it's just so darned generic. Seems almost entirely purposed as a vehicle for Sean Penn to show off his guns (and pecs). He's really the best part of the movie, but the entire enterprise is so "Euro"... no reallyIt's pretty watchable, but it's just so darned generic. Seems almost entirely purposed as a vehicle for Sean Penn to show off his guns (and pecs). He's really the best part of the movie, but the entire enterprise is so "Euro"... no really pop to any of it. And the typical cat-and-mouse chase crap at the end is SO routine.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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danielgreenMar 20, 2015

It's unfair to say "The Gunman" is a bad film. After all, it's expertly shot, scored and edited. The actors authentically portray their characters and Sean Penn, expectedly, is exceptional as Jim Terrier. The plot is credible once we acceptIt's unfair to say "The Gunman" is a bad film. After all, it's expertly shot, scored and edited. The actors authentically portray their characters and Sean Penn, expectedly, is exceptional as Jim Terrier. The plot is credible once we accept that, like most movies, it's a work of fiction. Yet "The Gunman" still fails on a thematic level. It's major problem is that it lacks focus. It attempts to provide a character study within the context of a political thriller through the convention of an action film.

A brief summary is necessary: Jim Terrier works for a private security company that is part of a conspiracy network to assassinate unfriendly political officials in developing countries. So, the company orders Terrier to murder a political official, which he does, and he then flees the country. Several years later Terrier feels remorseful and then tries to redeem himself through honorable non-profit work. Yet, his life is then threatened and he uses his special operations skills to identify and shatter the conspiracy network that is behind it.

In the process, he confronts a jealous friend and a former girlfriend that still loves him but feels betrayed by his earlier abandonment. Simultaneously, American congressmen and INTERPOL investigate the now esteemed private security company over its alleged past misdeeds. Because by representing the financial interests of its clients, it instigated and compounded the problems that plagued the developing country, in this case the DRC, insofar as resource exploitation, government corruption and civil war are concerned. It's implied that developing countries continue to be exploited by financial interests that rely on private military contractors to resolve their political problems.

I commend "The Gunman" for its ambitions and for presenting a restrained yet suspenseful action thriller. But because it attempts to tackle all of the themes above, it fails in successfully addressing any of them. So, the viewer leaves the theatre apathetic and confused. He asks, what exactly is the point of this movie? And unfortunately, one can't use the excuse that ambiguity is its point and justify it on the principle that its dealing with complex matters.

In "The Gunman", Sean Penn, as lead actor, co-writer and producer, attempted to use the action genre to create a more serious and meaningful film. And yes, it's more interesting, credible and substantive than "The Equalizer" or "John Wick." But unfortunately, his attempt failed and the film, if anything, is disappointing.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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RalfbergsDec 9, 2016

I liked the action parts of the movie, felt like a proper action movie, the actual story felt a bit weird and missing something, and maybe a bit even unreallistic I don't know. Also I did not like that it was unbelievably predictable. AlsoI liked the action parts of the movie, felt like a proper action movie, the actual story felt a bit weird and missing something, and maybe a bit even unreallistic I don't know. Also I did not like that it was unbelievably predictable. Also not sure if Sean Penn is the best guy for action movies, but he was decent here in my opinion unlike others say here.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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Rebecca31Nov 8, 2015

Starring Sean (If Liam Neeson is making money doing this crap then I can to) Penn, Javier Bardem and Idris Elbow. Considering a lot of people seemed to hate this film I find that a little harsh. Even with its predictable story and actionStarring Sean (If Liam Neeson is making money doing this crap then I can to) Penn, Javier Bardem and Idris Elbow. Considering a lot of people seemed to hate this film I find that a little harsh. Even with its predictable story and action sequences it actually manages to pull itself together to make a decent only gonna watch it once action flick. Aside being a tad too long it's watchable and enjoyable in the moment, can't really expect much more from these sort of films. Recommended cause there's nothing else out.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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duncan1964Mar 23, 2015

Sean Penn joins the ever growing group of ageing actors becoming action heroes in this new effort from the director of Taken. It may want to think it is more upmarket and intelligent than its counterparts, dealing as it does with foreign aidSean Penn joins the ever growing group of ageing actors becoming action heroes in this new effort from the director of Taken. It may want to think it is more upmarket and intelligent than its counterparts, dealing as it does with foreign aid in the Congo, but in the end it's just another shoot-em-up. An eclectic cast including Ray Winstone and Mark Rylance try and bring gravitas to the material but in the end they are fighting a losing battle.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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RealMuthaFJul 10, 2015

In theory, everything was perfect. An action movie directed by Pierre Morel (the brilliant Taken 1 and the awesome From Paris with Love) and starring Sean Penn, Javier Bardem and Idris Elba.
In practice, though, this flick is riddled withIn theory, everything was perfect. An action movie directed by Pierre Morel (the brilliant Taken 1 and the awesome From Paris with Love) and starring Sean Penn, Javier Bardem and Idris Elba.
In practice, though, this flick is riddled with problems. The plot is cliche (standard "the agency ties up loose ends and eliminates the agents"), the dialogues are oversized and boring, the love line is too forced (even though Jasmine Trinca is gorgeous) and what is beyond me, the action scenes aren't nearly as gripping and tense as in Morel's previous works. The lead actor Sean Penn presents yet another annoyance: he did work out a lot and got quite ripped for this role and, apparently, he is very pleased with himself, as we get to see his naked torso or at least, his flexed biceps approximately every 5 minutes, when he surfs/takes a shower/changes clothes/has sex/etc. This movie's yet another sin is that it wastes all the supporting talent in favour of Sean Penn's body - Bardem's role just doesn't leave him space to act the way he can and Elba's screentime is just criminally short.
To sum up, it is watchable, but Morel has dropped the bar significantly, and that's rather disappointing.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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JLuis_001Sep 7, 2017

An action movie made purely for the brightness of its star who is trying to give his career a new air in a genre that personally does not go for him.
Not a total waste, but nothing remarkable either.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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