#MovieReview: Pitch-black hilarity in The Killer [Watch]
It is as well-made a B-movie as you will ever see and is a great watch for those who enjoy action and pitch-black comedy.
The Killer is a B-movie parading in auteur clothing, but is nevertheless a great watch.
It is the latest film from director David Fincher (Zodiac, The Social Network, Gone Girl) and sees him at his most self-parodic.
Fincher has become famed for his fastidious approach to filmmaking, pushing actors to dozens of takes and his crew to great lengths to get the perfect scene.
It has delivered incredible results and Fincher is without question one of the best directors of the 21st century, often willing to plumb the depths of humanity in ways typically only found outside of the studio system.
The Killer is therefore an ideal marriage for the director, now in his 60s and looking back over his body of work.
Michael Fassbender stars as a cold-blooded contract killer who is posted to locations around the world to do what he does best.
He is the assassin version of Fincher’s persona with a defined set of rules and methodology which, in theory, should provide a perfect result every time.
But contract killing, much like making movies, is not a hermetically-sealed science project where all of the conditions can be controlled.
Things go awry in both and Fincher is happy to poke fun at his reputation through the avatar of the titular Killer.
And although it might not seem like it on first watch, this is one of the funniest movies of the year and undoubtedly the most light-hearted in Fincher’s filmography.
Mild spoilers to follow
The film opens on a long establishing scene with Fassbender’s killer preparing for a hit in Paris.
Suffice to say things do not go as planned and the Killer’s carefully maintained life suddenly spirals out of control.
He sets off on a series of missions to right his wrong, and naturally some beautifully choreographed carnage ensues.
There are many movies like this but very few that are crafted by a director as polished as Fincher.
It is as well-made a B-movie as you will ever see and is a great watch for those who enjoy action and pitch-black comedy.
The Killer can be found on Netflix.
Rated 18 for Violence and Language.
4/5.
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