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I think, perhaps, the only way one could enjoy this film is to not be a fan of the games. The "Hitman" character and universe as its presented here is incredibly flawed. Nearly everyone who has seen this film who is also a fan of the videogame franchise has their own theories as to who should have played Agent 47 and why, and I'm sure none of them said "hey, Timothy Olyphant, he would make a great 47!" There's no doubt in my mind that a more fan-friendly version of "Hitman" would have been darker, grittier, and more character/plot-driven. Word on the streets is director Xavier Gens' original cut of the film was exactly that, but Fox decided to push the release date back, schedule some reshoots, and turn Gens violent thriller into your more atypical actioner. But this is the million dollar question; can this cut still be enjoyed, even if on a more carnal level?

I've played every "Hitman" game to date, though I can't say I'm the biggest fan of them. That's probably why I don't feel completely betrayed by Fox's decision to treat this like any other action film with the greater exception being the inclusion of its main character - a bald-headed hitman - whose "name" just so happens to be Agent 47. Those are about the only similarities between this film and the videogames apart from a number of scenes that mirror images and moments from select "Hitman" games. Olyphant is a decent 47 and manages to capture the character's "walk" and gestures nicely, but he shows too much emotion in body language and facial expressions far too often for his performance to feel like a true reenacting of the videogame character.

I would be interested in seeing Xavier Gens' original cut of the film if only to get a better sense of what a darker, gritter "Hitman" film could have been like without the constant explosions and gun fights that littered this version. It's said that the relationship between 47 and Nika (Olga Kurylenko) is explored much more deeply in the original cut and the film as a whole is very character-driven. But this version of the picture, working as pure cinematic fluff, is something above average in its own right. The "Hitman"-esque moments were much welcomed, and the action sequences were filmed with just the right amount of flair. Gens camera angles were truly involving at times as well and there was nary a moment where I felt the picture was strictly "point-and-shoot." The sets were very "Hitman"-like, though the rest of the film felt like your run-of-the-mill action picture in comparison.

I wouldn't have gone with Timothy Olyphant to portray Agent 47 (Ed Harris or Jason Statham, perhaps), but he performed the role admirably. You do get the sense that 47 is a stone-cold killer and will do anything to get the job done, but Tim shows too much emotion to be a convincing 47. Kurylenko is nice eye candy but that's about it. As usual, Robert Knepper (Yuri Marklov) is a joy to watch and ignites the screen whenever he's on it. I was most impressed by Dougray Scott who should, by all means, have had a better career by this point. The man has undeniable talent and it’s a shame his career hasn't taken off the way it should. Danish actor Ulrich Thomsen gives the role of Mikhail Belicoff all he's got, but the villain is so poorly written that I doubt very few could have made the character memorable.

There's a fine line between love and hate as they say and "Hitman" draws it. Diehard fans of the videogames will, no doubt, hate this, while those who only casually play the games or don't play them at all will be able to stomach it or, better yet, probably like it. It all comes down to that. The real "Hitman" adaptation, the one fans of the games have been waiting for with bated breath, is sitting in Fox's vault somewhere... probably until numerous petitions come flying at their doors. And while this unrated print doesn't add anything substantial to the film (i.e. plot or exposition) those that felt the theatrical cut wasn't violent/bloody enough will certainly be pleased this time around.

7/10