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Wesley Snipes, Eliza Bennett, Ralph Brown

Retired marksman James Dial lives a secluded life on his ranch in Montana. Haunted by his failure to exterminate one of the world’s most notorious terrorists, he is approached by his old employers to ...( read more  read more... )finish the job in London, where the terrorist leader has been captured and is under heavy protection. What would be a routine mission for the sniper turns into a nightmare as Dial is forced into hiding and relentlessly pursued by the British police and their lead investigator, Windsor. But when Dial is framed for Windsor’s murder, he begins to realize that he has been seriously double-crossed. His only hope is a 12-year-old girl whom Dial reluctantly befriends as he desperately searches to find the killer and the truth behind his betrayal.

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35% liked it

5,098 ratings

R, 1 hr. 38 min.

Directed by: Josef Rusnak

Release Date: July 10, 2007

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DVD Release Date: July 10, 2007

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Wesley Snipes as James Dial in The Contractor (2007) The Contractor (2007) Scenes from The Contractor (2007) The Contractor (2007) Wesley Snipes as James Dial in The Contractor (2007) Wesley Snipes as James Dial in The Contractor (2007) Scene from The Contractor (2007) Scene from The Contractor (2007)
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Flixster Reviews (527)

  • organgrinder136
    November 11, 2008
    organgrinder136
    above average wesley snipes action flick. haven't seen charles dance in anything for ages...
  • PvtCaboose91
    August 13, 2008
    PvtCaboose91
    "It's gonna get chaotic real quick"


    Following recent below average straight-to-DVD actioners such as The Marksman and 7 Seconds, Wesley Snipes continues to institute himself as the new Van Damme or Steven Seagal. It's hardly surprising that actors like

    ...( read more)Van Damme and Seagal degraded their careers by starring in straight-to-DVD films, purely because their talent is non-existent: they can't act, but they can fire a gun. Wesley Snipes had no reason to be reduced to this quality.

    The Contractor is among Snipes' latest movies, and it's essentially a cousin to Mark Wahlberg's successful action movie Shooter. Both Shooter and Snipes' The Contractor focus on former specialist operatives called back into service before ultimately being betrayed and set up. But while Wahlberg's character is aided by a beautiful babe, Snipes gets his assistance from a precocious teenager. The screenwriter is essentially taking a page out of Luc Besson's Léon (also known as The Professional). So there we have it...The Contractor mixes equal parts of Léon and Shooter. However, it isn't as charming and absorbing as the former, or as thrilling and intense as the latter.

    Former professional contractor James Dial (Snipes) now lives a secluded life at his Montana ranch. He frequently evokes the memory of failing an assignment several years earlier when he was unsuccessful in eliminating a renowned terrorist. Dial is approached by his former employer who allows him the opportunity for another shot at assassinating the terrorist who is now under heavy protection in London. It will impart personal satisfaction as well as further financial advantages. Dial executes his task, but is then forced into hiding as the British police relentlessly pursue him. He's hurt and hunted, and it isn't long before he crosses paths and dubiously befriends young Emily (Bennett) who doesn't seem the slightest bit reluctant to help a highly wanted man evade justice. Alrighty then...

    Wesley Snipes demonstrates that, even with weak career moments under his belt, he can still carry a picture. For an action movie, Snipes brings staggering depth and intrigue to his character. Young Eliza Bennett is doubtlessly the film's biggest surprise. She competently masters her character and flaunts convincing acting skills. She has her unfortunate weak moments though, such as the unrealistically corny relationship with her grandmother.

    German director Josef Rusnak keeps the action moving and the pacing fairly brisk. With a terrific cast (for the most part) the film also exhibits plenty of decent drama. However the film is unforgivably marred by the cinematography techniques and the script. The shootouts, especially those towards the climax, simply cannot engage a viewer. All the action fails due to the almost Michael Bay-eque style of filming: fast cuts, shaky handheld shots that aren't properly focused, migraine-inducing strobe lights, and additionally some amateurish film speed manipulations (slow motion, things sped up...and even freeze frames). Some villains can't even hold their firearms correctly which is a sure sign that research was never a priority. The action is entertaining, but could be far more exhilarating.

    The movie also fails as a thriller because the twists don't raise the stakes. Additionally, Snipes' James Dial ostensibly prefers to avoid confrontations and gun-fights. Instead, he continually absconds. This could have worked, however with pay-offs so trifling and promising set-ups so common it feels unsatisfying. The screenwriter cannot avoid those dumb action movie clichés either. A gun battle on a construction site occurs, but do the workers or civilians nearby (which we clearly see following the battle's conclusion) care or call the cops? Nope, they don't even notice anything despite plenty of gunfire. And are we supposed to believe an investigation can terminate so suddenly? No paperwork? Come on!

    Overall, The Contractor isn't as terrible as I expected. It's also among the best straight-to-DVD films Snipes has featured in, although that is a faint praise. A promising story that clearly takes inspiration from Shooter and Luc Besson's Léon is marred by a below average script and an abundance of stupidity to boot.
  • DeppLover
    May 1, 2008
    DeppLover
    I was actually quite disappointed in this one, I had high expectations. Just by looking at the cover it seems like another enjoyable Wesley Snipes action film, and by reading the plot it seems like it could be a stand out film. I read somewhere on the back cover that you should l...( read more)ike this if you liked 'Shooter. I loved Shooter, so I thought I'd give this a try.

    It was enjoyable and entertaining in most parts, but some were just a little slow and seemed to go on for too long. Even the action scenes I didn't maintain interest in, it just seemed as if it was either too slow or too fast. The plot was interesting though, it's all based around one event at the beginning when a marksman James Dial assassinated a leading terrorist. Soon he is in pursuit from the British police, and eventually framed for the murder of the lead investigator. James befriends with a twelve year old girl who helps him in seeking out the truth behind his betrayal.

    Wesley Snipes has proven to be a great action movie star, but this film didn't do much good for him. The part he had he played well, something just wasn't right and this film didn't turn out to be very popular. I was surprised with Eliza Bennett, she played her part quite well for someone I hadn't really seen before from other films.

    Not too sure if this is worth watching, you could give it a go but don't expect anything amazing.
  • roygutteridge
    August 19, 2007
    roygutteridge
    Poor effort and a low budget movie was to blame here. The storyline is kinda missing & Wesley was not at he's best...
  • FiLmCrAzY
    November 23, 2009
    FiLmCrAzY
    I really enoyed this movie, its excting, entertaining with fantastic explosions, gun fights and a pretty descent storyline to be honest.
    This movie keeps you compelled to watch it with a great cast especialy lena headey who givees a brilliant performance.

    Its about a contract...( read more)or killer from america who is broght out of retirement to do one last killing but unbeknowns to hi hes being set up, he travels to london to hit his target but in doing so he has the london metropoleton police and the american police afeter him.
    this takes you on a thrill ride of bullets
    really worth a watch!
  • doglover000000
    August 21, 2009
    doglover000000
    I really enjoyed this film! Its a typical thriller of betrayal and vengence with a random friendship between young girl and assassin!
  • kmansell1
    July 3, 2009
    kmansell1
    a bit of a weak character which does not sit the film well. it was average wesley snipes movie. not that good, not that bad.
  • vamshna
    March 31, 2009
    vamshna
    How this movie is possible
  • seraphdrakken
    December 26, 2008
    seraphdrakken
    Poignant interaction between the two lead characters, but the overall plot was weak.
  • alanhyc1
    December 23, 2008
    alanhyc1
    another wes action movie

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