Review of Killer Elite

Killer Elite may satisfy a lot of Jason Statham fans. Even though there are a quite a few heavy-hitting action set-pieces, Killer Elite is a narrative mess that turns pretty straight-forward plot with loads of bizarre character relationships and added “drama” in an attempt to elevate the film beyond a throwaway action experience.

The basic plot of Killer Elite is stereotype, contract killer Danny Bryce (Jason Statham) attempts to get out of the “game” after a job in Mexico turns ugly. That is, until his closest friend and mentor, Hunter (Robert De Niro) is captured by a rich Oman sheikh. In order to free his friend, Bryce must succeed in completing Hunter’s assignment – to kill three British Special Air Service (SAS) agents responsible for murdering the sheikh’s three oldest sons in cold blood

It’s a pretty basic plot – until the film attempts to pull in a series of side stories, including government conspiracy, a secret society, and even a romantic through-line.