In the first decade of the 21st century, film adaptations of video games were, with few honourable exceptions, often synonymous with mediocrity. This trend has not significantly improved with the release of Hitman in 2007, directed by Xavier Gens.
Hitman is based on the eponymous series of video games that popularised what would later be known as the stealth game genre. Central to this franchise is Agent 47, a contract killer renowned for his superior training and skills, which he employs to execute delicate assassinations of high-profile targets worldwide.
In this cinematic interpretation, Agent 47 is portrayed by Timothy Olyphant. The plot revolves around him being tasked by a shadowy organisation known simply as "The Organisation" to travel to St. Petersburg and assassinate Russian President Mikhail Belicoff, played by Ulrich Thomsen. Uniquely, Agent 47 is ordered to carry out this assassination publicly; however, after successfully executing the hit, he learns that Belicoff has apparently survived. Shortly thereafter, he is instructed to eliminate a woman who witnessed the assassination—Nika Boronina (played by Olga Kurylenko). As the narrative unfolds, it becomes apparent that this is a setup designed to eliminate Agent 47 himself. Nika turns out to be Belicoff’s mistress and reveals that the president was replaced by a double. As Agent 47 attempts to escape this web of deceit, he finds himself pursued by Interpol agent Mike Whittier (played by Dougray Scott) and FSB agent Yuri Marklov (played by Robert Knepper).
Co-financed by Luc Besson’s Europacorp, Hitman boasted a more than decent budget, which is evident in various scenes shot on location in Bulgaria that stand in for Russia. The film's production values are commendable; however, they cannot compensate for its narrative shortcomings.
Hitman features numerous action sequences that are undeniably violent and at times visually engaging. Yet, as the film progresses, these scenes become repetitive and formulaic. Agent 47 is depicted as an unstoppable gunslinger who can effortlessly dispatch hordes of well-armed but seemingly inept opponents. This portrayal undermines the spirit of the video games, which emphasise stealth and strategic thinking over brute force.
Even more problematic is the script itself, which presents a generic conspiracy plot without offering any meaningful backstory or depth to Agent 47’s character. Rather than exploring his origins or motivations, the film opts for a superficial narrative that fails to make him multi-dimensional or engaging. This lack of character development results in an emotionally flat experience for viewers.
Moreover, the producers' disregard for both the source material and basic geographical facts is glaringly evident; for instance, Hitman suggests that Russia and Turkey share a land border—a geographical impossibility that undermines the film's credibility.
The acting performances also leave much to be desired. Timothy Olyphant appears disinterested in his role, delivering a rather bland portrayal of Agent 47. In subsequent interviews, Olyphant admitted that he accepted the role primarily for financial reasons following the cancellation of his acclaimed series Deadwood.
The supporting cast fares little better; Dougray Scott offers a slightly more professional performance as Whittier but lacks charisma, while Olga Kurylenko’s portrayal of Nika is forgettable, despite appearing in number of scenes topless.
Unsurprisingly, Hitman was met with harsh criticism from reviewers upon its release. Despite achieving decent box office results initially, it quickly became clear that it had not resonated with audiences or critics alike. Consequently, producers opted not to pursue a sequel but instead chose to reboot the franchise in 2015 with Hitman: Agent 47 starring Rupert Friend.
While Hitman presents itself as an action-packed thriller with high production values and some entertaining sequences, it ultimately falls short of delivering a compelling narrative or engaging characters. The film's failure to capture the essence of its source material—both in terms of gameplay mechanics and character depth—renders it yet another example of how challenging it can be to adapt video games into films successfully.
RATING: 3/10 (+)
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