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Ahhhhhh yes, the assassin movie. there have been so many movies made throughout the decades and even more in the last few years about hired killers that the subgenre could already be a genre all itself. The assassin movie has seen a resurgence as of late and it seems like we get one every other week with an anti-hero with a heart of gold who must protect a young child or battle the very same company they once worked for. It’s quite literally been done to death, but I’ll be damned if I didn’t say I love them. If it’s done right enough and features solid characters, a decent story and above all, fierce action sequences, I’m all in and then some. Well, buckle up buttercup because we have yet another assassin themed movie opening this week and this one has a rad cast which includes Kickboxer reboot star Alain Moussi and genre favorite Frank Grillo who, once again, is the hardest working an in the industry. Not a week goes by where I’m not promoting a movie that he’s in and here he is yet again.
The movie in question is the stylish actioner King of Killers which hails from actor, filmmaker, writer and comic book creator Kevin Grevioux who is best known for creating the Underworld franchise and is also known for having one kick ass, gravelly voice. This guy’s voice is so awesome that it’s a character in itself and the word gravitas was invented just to describe it. Kevin is a real talent and here he has adapted one of his graphic novels into a live action, ass kicking thriller that will satisfy genre fans looking for some good old-fashioned violence and carnage. I’ve followed this one since it’s conception a few years back (check out the several articles I did here) so it’s finally satisfying to see the finished product play out like a modern-day Shakespearean endeavor with assassins, swords, guns and plenty of kinetic violence.
King of Killers stars Moussi as hired killer Marcus Garan as a loving husband and father by day and a cold-blooded assassin by night. It’s OK though because Garan only kills people who have it coming so there’s a moral code to him that makes him immediately likable to the audience. He truly is a nice guy that just happens to take out the trash when his handler Robert Xane, played by Stephen Dorff, sends him on his missions of extermination. Of course, Garan’s wife Karla (Amy Groening) and daughter Kimberly (Zoe Worn) thinks he just clocks in 9 to 5 every day. It’s a simple life that just happens to deal in death to criminals and scum bags.
Unfortunately for Garan, Karla is in the suing place at the very wrong time and is mercilessly killed during one of his assignments leaving him to give up that life to care for Kimberly but when bad fortune comes calling again and she needs a new heart, Garan accepts an offer given to him by the mysterious Roman Korza (Gianni Capaldi) to assassinate the world’s most formidable killer named Jorg Drakos (Grillo). At first, he declines but agrees upon finding out about his daughter as the job pays a whopping 10 million in cash. There’s a catch though as Garan jets off to Tokyo, Japan to fulfill the assignment and that’s he’ll be competing against five of the best assassins money can buy. It’s an eclectic group of killers including Asha (Marie Avgeropoulos), Dyson Chord (Grevioux himself in a small role), Andre LeCroix (former MMA champ George St-Pierre), Rick Nigel (Ryan Tarran) and the steely human weapon Ren Hiro (Shannon Kook). Oh, there’s another assassin who’s a sniper but he declines said offer and immediately has his head blown off before he can walk out the door, so he doesn’t count.
Grillo’s Drakos informs the group that they must compete against each other to try and kill him so the true King of Killers can be revealed. It’s the ultimate game of cat and mouse and one that erupts into a frenzy of close quarters battles and ferocious hand to hand altercations. It’s a winner take all of the ultimate circumstances and one that will only leave one killer standing when the final drop of blood is spilled.
King of Killers is as advertised as there is plenty of hard R rated action and even though the film shows its limited budget with minimal cinematography and locales, it’s still a rousing battle royale which gives each participant a chance to show off their signature skills. The pacing is a little sluggish at first and even though there are a couple of action scenes toward the beginning where we get to see Garan let loose, it does take a while to get going to the main event. When it does, the last act is a relentless barrage of violence and brutal finishing moves that had me thrilled while watching it and it actually was better than the most recent Mortal Kombat movie. Just don’t except bombastic set pieces and you’ll buy what this one is selling as the altercations are more formal and intimate to go along with the mayhem.
Leading man Alain Moussi once again proves that he is much more than the stuntman he used to be as he plays Garan as a likable, ordinary man who just happens to have an extraordinary job. Moussi has taken some knocks from critics in terms of his acting and reputation as an action star, but I always enjoyed his films and even feel that the Kickboxer reboot franchise is better than the original. Shhhhh, don’t tell anyone. Moussi is a legit talent when it comes to the extreme martial arts action and here, he gets ample opportunity to showcase what he does best.
What can I say about Frank Grillo that hasn’t already been said? The man is a legit film threat, and he elevates any movie that he’s in. Grillo could star in a musical and kill it and here as Drakos, he gets to dabble in the shadowy world of assassins, and I will tell you without spoiling anything that there’s way more to his character than meets the eye. Grillo, like Moussi, gets plenty of screen time and chances to highlight what he can do and the finale that has him inevitably facing off with Moussi’ Garan is well worth the wait and is stripped down and on a barbaric scale.
I also enjoyed Shannon Kook as the mysterious Ren Hiro. Kook’s biggest acting gig to date was on the CW’s 100 and here he shines especially in the combat sequences. I must admit that I wasn’t familiar with him but he’s on my radar now and I will say that I thought Ren was one of the best characters in the movie. From a dramatic and action standpoint, I wish he was given more to do.
Grevioux does well with what he has in his arsenal and that’s creating action sequences tailor made for this kind of movie. The last third of the film is a nonstop barrage of one-on-one beatdowns that will impress. On a negative note, those of you wanting to see St-Pierre do his thing will be sorely disappointed as he doesn’t get that much of a chance to strut his stuff. I will say that if there is a sequel, and this one lends itself to the probability that there may be as it is open ended, St-Pierre’s character might have more to do. that aside, there is enough bloody violence and noirish colors to saturate the movie and entertain for its brisk 90 minute plus running time. There is a blending of martial arts action mixed with gunplay including a tip of the cap to John Woo with some double fisted pistol play but the last act delegates more to the empty-handed form of adrenaline and that’s its strongest suit and a welcome one.
There are twists and turns to the plot and while you will see most of it coming, the ending was a nice surprise that got me and hopefully there will be another entry to flesh out what was left unanswered. Grevioux has set himself up for a potential franchise here and with any luck Garan, Drakos and company will do battle yet again with much bigger stakes at hand.
There’s also news of a planned prequel series that will showcase Garan’s life before the film. If it happens, it’ll definitely add layers to the established film and hopefully a sequel is made to flesh out events at the end which could lead up to an even bigger follow up. Time will tell on those fronts but I’m on board.
Overall, King of Killers is a graphic novel adaptation that delivers the bloody goods. Alain Moussi is in top form and Frank Grillo is…well…Frank Grillo. You know you’re going to get his very best and here he has a great role that offers the dramatic moments coupled with the high-octane stuff. The rest of the cast shine as well and everyone gets their hands dirty in the film’s many fight sequences. The finale plays out like a brutal gauntlet of the best of the best squaring off and Grevioux knows how to handle it all with camera work that pays respect to the action on screen. The plot is simple, and the action is hot with a noirish tinge that separates it from other films like it.
VERDICT: 3.5 Out of 5 Stars
ACTION-FLIX APPROVED
King of Killers is a Worthy Assassin Battle Royale that is both Brutal and Balletic at the same time! Turn the brain off and enjoy.
[…] For my full Action-Flix Approved Review, click here!!!! […]
[…] Written & Directed by Kevin Grevioux (Underworld), King of Killers is a graphic novel adaptation that delivers the bloody goods. Alain Moussi is in top form and Frank Grillo is…well…Frank Grillo. You know you’re going to get his very best and here he has a great role that offers the dramatic moments coupled with the high-octane stuff. The rest of the cast shine as well and everyone gets their hands dirty in the film’s many fight sequences. The finale plays out like a brutal gauntlet of the best of the best squaring off and Grevioux knows how to handle it all with camera work that pays respect to the action on screen. The plot is simple, and the action is hot with a noirish tinge that separates it from other films like it. For my full review of the movie, CLICK HERE! […]