Customer Reviews

Killer Elite [VHS]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I watched this movie a long time ago when I was much younger and it immediately became one of my favorites. First the movie was directed by Sam Peckinpah who's style I always liked. Second it stared two really powerful actors of the time in James Caan and Robert Duval. And lastly it had a LOT of action. It is a highly intelligent movie and several steps up from anytthing that you will ever see that has Ninja's in it. The movie revolves around a company of mercenaries that are hired by corporate interest or the government to do certain jobs. The movie story really takes off when two friends are torn apart by betrayal and then the movie becomes a story of revenge and obsession.

I have heard several people review this movie in a bad light when it first came out. But I must say that I enjoyed it back in the early 80's when I first saw it and I have watched it several times over and over since. Each time I still find the movie to be fun and interesting and the acting to be top notch.

Sam Peckinpah's The Killer Elite may not be the director's best film (I'll save that for either Cross of Iron or The Wild Bunch) but it's much better than the overrated The Getaway, and is generally a well-made action film.

The aspect that makes the film worthwhile is mostly hinged on Peckinpah's direction, with his usual death-in-slow motion and fast-paced shootouts. The first hour does plod a bit but the pace picks up considerably in the second half and culminates into an exciting shootout and martial arts battle on board a ship.

The Killer Elite is far from perfect, though. The beginning feels awkward and it takes a while to get the situation and characters straightened out. The plot is also executed in a far more complex manner than it needs to be, resulting in quite a bit of confusion. Robert Duvall is also underused, and the conflict between he and James Caan isn't as compelling as it could or should have been.

Performance-wise, The Killer Elite is well-acted. James Caan is solid as the betrayed CIA operative, though his character is a bit too nice for a guy who was shot in the kneecap and elbow by his best friend. Robert Duvall is decent with the limited screen time he has. Bo Hopkins is the real scene stealer as the psychotic agent, and he plays a good guy!

The Killer Elite is decent entertainment, with some energetic action sequences. Just rent the film, it wouldn't hurt.

The first Peckinpah I ever saw -- and it hooked me forever. Makes today's "action" flicks (Con Air, The Rock, The General's Daughter, etc.) look like the overwrought, underfilled plastic fantastics they are.

That, and McQueen and Duvall are cooler than you.

Plus the fights.

This was a good action movie with plenty of bullits and some martial arts mixed in. Caan gave a good performance. Two things kept me from giving this 5 stars. First a scene where Gig Young keeps a nervous Arthur Hill in the office doing paper work is moronic, and second, this movie screamed for a expanded role for a female character. The actress who played Caan's love interest was unattractive and void of talent. When you watch a movie like this you almost have to have some nudity and gratuitous sex to give you a reason to watch it a again and again. Oh well. What did work was the team of Caan, Burt Young, and Bo Hopkins...no one was Rambo but no one was an idiot either.

If you are a Sam Peckinpah fan or a native San Franciscan you will enjoy this film for different reasons. It is REALLY violent. Has a couple of good character actors, Burt Young and Bo Hopkins that add to a well acted tail. Shot on location in the SF area the Killer Elite and Steve McQueen's Bullitt are two of the best SF thrillers along with Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry. As far as rating this Peckinpah film to his others I have to say that Pat Garret and Billy the Kid followed by The Getaway, The Wild Bunch, Straw Dogs and then The Killer Elite.

I'm stuck with a video now that only plays in Europe. Like I'm supposed to know when it says Region something..that means a different country?

It is difficult to believe that such an organization exists as depicted in this film; however, in this day and age nothing would surprise me. A band of avengers
who are sponsored by a United States Government Agency to perform deeds that would be just too horrific to be committed by the Agency itself is corrupted from within.
James Caan and Robert Duval portray "friends" who are turned agaist one another
because of the machinations of their immediate superior who himself is a turncoat.
The violence and intrigue portrayed in this fllm will keep you rivited to your seat
becaue this is not just what plays on the international scene but the animosity and
betrayed actions based on a personal level between two friends,

The Killer Elite is a low key action movie with a little martial arts mixed in. Directed by Sam Pekinpah, it boasts a great cast including James Caan, Robert Duvall, Gig Young, Mako, Bo Hopkins, and Burt Young. There are a couple of hilarious moments, but the movie is a little dated compared to today's action movies. Meaning the action is far and few between. The story is about two CIA operatives (James Caan as Mike Locken and Robert Duvall as George Hansen) pitted against each other. Duvall's character betrays the CIA and at the same time cripples Caan's character. Caan fights his way back to a CIA position and is reassigned to protect an important foreign dignitary and recruits old pals for his task force. These characters provide somewhat of comic relief (Burt Young and Bo Hopkins). Pekinpah's direction is great despite the weak script and ample action, but somehow one feels that there should have been more to show with such a great cast.

It is always sad when , for whatever reason , someone who has a strong reputation releases material with their name still attached , but without the former quality .

That is the best description of this movie . It feels like scenes are missing .

I encourage you to seek out and watch Sam Peckinpah's earlier , better films . The two lead actors are not shown to best advantage - I am a James Caan fan , but didn't feel much was asked of him in the film .

Rent it if you want to see all of Sam's films .
I have traded my copy . I won't miss it .

This is crazy all the bad reviews here. Sam made a slam bang slam dunk totally interesting revenge flick. Tarantino ripped the whole thing off for Kill Bill. This is a masterpiece unless you are a pretentious bourgeoisie full of crap elite movie snob. Movie for people that love real movies. Eccentric and fascinating.