Customer Reviews

Killing Man

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Paranoid atmosphere, strong camera work, brutal action scenes, and amazingly good acting combine to make this flick unique in its class. Low budget action movies are usually stagey and mechanical, with actors sleepwalking through their roles. Not here. Michael Ironside's simple death scene is acted with such enthusiasm that it stops the show. And Jeff Wincott is the most underrated hero in the movies today. Action fans will not be disappointed.

" I feel pain, I must be alive" begins this movie as a mob killer awakes in the care of an autonomous government agency that has nursed him back to health after a deadly fire in which he was thought to have been killed. They plan to use him for several hits on scientists who have discovered AIDS to be a laboratory created disease. Though it's never said, you get the sense that they will either kill him or expose him after he does the last hit who happens to be a cutie doctor. So you can probably guess what happens in the end, but all in all it's an interesting story worth viewing if you like this type of flick.

The one bad thing about this DVD is the sound and picture quality, it's not that great (kinda dark and grainy), but acceptable... I can't really complain.

I purchased Killing Man for one simple reason - Jeff Wincott. I have been constantly impressed with this guy's solid martial arts skills, and ability to actually act well. Thinkin that Killing Man would be another Wincott action blast with some decent acting and an ok story, the movie provided a from of entertainment I did not see coming.

Instead of an all-out action fest, Killing Man felt a lot more like a suspense/thriller with the action thrown in. Jeff Wincott, though does not give a martial arts filled movie like many of his others, instead delivers a sharp performance in acting and creating a unique and defined charcater, "Harlin Garrett" aka "The Killing Man". Saved from death by a so-called branch of the government led by Mr. Green (Michael Ironside), Harlin is basically brainwashed to kill and eliminate the slime of society in order to stay alive. Finding it difficult to grasp at first, Harlin begins to fall into the habit, until he falls for a woman he has been ordered to kill. This is where the movie gets very exicitng.

In addition to Wincott, the supporting actors do a better job than expected for a low-budget B movie. Michael Ironside, as always, delivers a solid performance as the bad guy. Killing Man has a dark tone throughout, and begins especially eerie in a dark and desolate hospital for Harlin. I enjoyed the fact that Harlin falls for an ordinary girl, and not some usual blonde bimbo.

Overall, Killing Man is not a martial arts film, and very little action film at that. While there is some action throughout, it is very real and timed out with the story. All together, it works well. Expect good suspense upon watching the first time, and one of Jeff Wincott's best acting performances so far.

THE KILLING MAN is dark, atmospheric and surprising. Jeff Wincott, who has made a career out of playing B movie action heroes, is at his best. He plays a mob hitman who awakens in a strange government facility, with a new face and an ominous future awaiting him. The government "agent" played by Michael Ironside (in one of his most effective recent roles) is planning on using Wincott to wipe out some people he says are dangerous to the government.
The movie rests on the new Wincott: is he still the heartless, cold killing machine or does he really want to change and start a new life. There are some tense action scenes, good fights, and crisp direction. The ending is somewhat of a downer, and it caught me by surprise, but that's what takes this movie up a notch. It's not that predictable.

This is the first time I have ever had the pleasure of seeing one of Jeff Wincott's straight to video movies. I can't believe what I was missing. In 'The Killing Man', Wincott plays Garret, a man that has awaken from a coma after being burned in a fire. He is dead to the world, which helps makes him the perfect killing machine. Michael Ironside plays the "director" of a secret govenment facility and he gives one of his best performances. He recruited Garret because of his skills. After recovering from his amnesia, Garret is told he can be an assassin, or he can die. After his paranoia dies down a bit, he is ordered to become friendly with a woman to find out information, and then kill her. This is where the movie becomes a little less exciting. It is obvious Garret can't kill the girl, so he has to fight for his and her life in a bloody ending.









The action is good in the first half, but not near as good in the second. The best part of the movie is Jeff Wincott's acting. He comes off like the toughest dude who ever walked the Earth. Don't even think about staring him down. His character is also very caring, and Wincott puts on an Oscar worthy performance. The movie itself is above average, and Wincott greatly enhances every scene.









3.5/5









Picture quality on the Simitar DVD is average at best. Sound is good.

This is a though-provoking movie shot in a very interesting manner. The content is a bit eery, but the quality is superior for a B-action flick. Jeff Wincott is great in his performance, as in all his works, and is way too under-rated. I would rent this one again. Wincott flicks are always worth the viewing. The storyline is captivating and the end is anything but uplifting, but it keeps your attention.

Best the best!!

i want to review the killing man