Hey gang, Valkor here. One of my all-time favorite films is I Come on Peace, also known as Dark Angel. The story is OK, but it's the action that sells it. And if it can be executed well enough, I'm sold. Though few films fit within this category, some do, such as Section 8 and Ultimate Justice. Now, let me introduce to you the newest favorite – King of Killers. It has a predictable storyline. But the action more than makes up for it! Beware! Loads of spoilers ahead!
King of Killers focuses on Marcus Garan (Alain Moussi), a top-notch assassin whose life is about to take a turn for the worse. First, a stray bullet kills his wife, who unexpectedly appears on one of his missions. Later, he finds out that his daughter has a heart terminal condition. It's curable, but the procedure is costly. The only way out is for Marcus to take on a job hunting the ever-elusive Jorg Drakos (Frank Grillo – Captain America: Civil War). And the bounty is a cool ten million dollars! However, upon reaching the rendezvous in Japan, Marcus learns that not only are there other assassins vying for Jorg's life. But Jorg is also the one who pieced everything together. Now, the crew must hunt down the most famous assassin in the world or die trying. Furthermore, Jorg won't be making things easy for Marcus and his group because the structure where they will hunt Jorg is rigged with numerous booby traps. Up until the ending, the film is pretty predictable. However, there is an intriguing turn of events that suggests the possibility of a sequel. One, that I hope does happen because if done right, it would be amazing!
King of Killers is based on a Kevin Grevioux comic book of the same name. Kevin is not only the comic's creator, but he also wrote and directed the film. However, when I did some digging for the comic, I learned that it has yet to be released. It's rare to see a film based on a comic get released before the actual book. At best, they usually release around the same time. Regardless, I'm looking forward to Kevin's book when it's finally released. Because if it's anything like the film, it will be a fun read. And now, on to the TOV Breakdown!
The Good:
Even though I thought King of Killers was predictable, it was a lot of fun. The plot is easy to follow, but you want the action that comes along with it. And baby, this one has tons, especially when the other assassins come into play! I'm talking bone-crunching, fist-flying, gut-wrenching, and gun-blazing action that'll keep you on the edge of your seat. The story and the dialogue are super cheesy, but it's bearable. The film raises a lot of concerns. Some of which I'll address in the next section. But most are explained away, while others are head-scratchers. The acting isn't anything to write home about. But the major figures involved do well enough of a job to see this one through. Mad props to Alain Moussi and Frank Grillo, who not only play well off one another. But the two also put on incredible performances that match their actions. Will there be a King of Killers 2? I really hope so! And that's all I'm going to say about that. All things considered, King of Killers is an enjoyable film that many action fans will love!
The Bad:
My main issue with the film is how they deal with the death of Marcus's wife. Straight up, she looked as though she was hit with a stray bullet. But the ending says otherwise. Even throughout the film, Marcus is supposedly investigating her death. Why? Marcus saw the guy pop off his gun. And then he shot him dead. And as Marcus goes to exit, he sees his wife pumped full of lead. From that standpoint, what is there to investigate? We can assume the guy Marcus shot was the one who killed his wife. If the investigation part had not been mentioned, I believe the ending would have been more shocking. Also, I felt the whole daughter sickness thing was like an unnecessary 80's throwback. It's a little corny, but I'll give it a pass.
The Ugly:
Poor Ren! No wait! Poor Chord! No wait...
You can find King of Killers streaming now on Amazon Prime Video. Is it worth the rental? I think so! It's not perfect, but the action and gore are what sells it. And believe me, I am sold! Do I want to see a sequel? Yes! Yes! And more yes! Hopefully, with an improved script and plenty of action and gore. Until then, out of TOV 5 stars, I'm giving King of Killers a 4.
