Shooter Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Yesterday was about honor. Today is about justice.
Bob Lee Swagger, one of the world's great marksmen and the son of a Congressional Medal of Honoree, is a loner living in the Rockies. He's left the military, having been hung out to dry in a secret Ethiopian mission a few years before, when he's recruited by a lisping colonel to help find a way that the President of the US might be assassinated in one of three cities in the next two weeks. He does his work, but the shot is fired notwithstanding and Bob Lee is quickly the fall guy: wounded and hunted by thousands, he goes to ground and, aided by two unlikely allies, searches for the truth and for those who double-crossed him. All roads lead back to Ethiopia.
| Mark Wahlberg | Bob Lee Swagger |
| Michael Pena | Nick Memphis |
| Danny Glover | Colonel Isaac Johnson |
| Kate Mara | Sarah Fenn |
| Elias Koteas | Jack Payne |
| Rhona Mitra | Alourdes Galindo |
| Ned Beatty | Senator Charles F. Meachum |
| Jonathan Walker | Louis Dobbler |
| Justin Louis | Howard Purnell |
| Tate Donovan | Russ Turner |
| Rade Serbedzija | Michael Sandor |
| Alan C. Peterson | Officer Stanley Timmons |
| Lane Garrison | Donnie Fenn |
| Zak Santiago | Senior Agent |
| Michael-Ann Connor | Junior Agent |
| Antoine Fuqua |
6.80 out of 10 (7706 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Shooter: bad poster, crappy title, good movie.
posted on 16 Aug 2009Shooter: bad poster, crappy title, good movie. When my friends and I heard about this movie we thought it looked like crap, but after seeing the trailer we were convinced this movie actually seemed promising, and indeed it was. Shooter is The Fugitive meets a little bit of Die Hard and Rambo. There's plenty of action for the whole family here. I wasn't much of a Mark Walberg fan until I saw The Departed, and now after I saw Shooter I'm converted, he can really hold his own here. The only downside was Danny Glover's sluring accent. It kinda got annoying, but hes still Danny Glover and so hes still cool. Antoine Fuqua gives us yet another solid a flick, good stuff.
Would be better if I hadn't read the book
posted on 16 Aug 2009The real tragedy to this film is that Stephen Hunter has written several books with this character, and properly handled this movie could have easily been the start of a major film franchise. Instead, it becomes a one film throw away because it looks like the people that wrote the screenplay were completely unaware that the books exist.Mark Wahlberg is acceptable in the role, but only because so many changes in the script were made. Had the movie played more according to the script, you would have a much deeper character emotionally, and the role would have required someone older and more taciturn.The film overly simplifies the motivations and the reasons behind the actions of the various characters, the female lead was thrown in simply to put a female into the film, and the screenplay often bogs itself down into simplistic anti or pro American jingoism's.I notice Stephen Hunter was not given screenplay credit for this film, which only raises him as a writer in my eyes.Bottom line, it's an okay matinée movie to see at reduced prices. But as anything more than a basic mindless action film, you are better off saving your money and spending it on something worthwhile.
Mixture of movies we all watched before
posted on 12 Aug 2009In the lack of truly good action movies, "Shooter" makes a little difference because it is mostly intelligent, fast and easy to watch. Of course this movie has problems and this is definitely not the best of its genre, but Fuqua provides us good fun through entire movie with universal message that something is wrong in America. And not only in America, in every state you can find corruption on the top, but America is too big and always juicy to talk about. Why? Because of its external politic to other lands (mostly). That issue is represented in this movie (conversation between Wahlberg and Serbedzija is great), but it also has something that bothered me. The ending. You cannot just walk in the house and do what he did (senator!!!). If this was reality, Wahlberg's character would be a killer and not a hero in eyes of viewer. Here Fuqua mix what is right and what is wrong and here he presents his rage about the current position America is in. He did that by giving us the mixture of movies we all watched before. "The Fugitive" (Wahlberg is wrongfully accused just like Ford), "Assassins" (church tower where the rifle is), "Rambo" (setting up the bombs) and lot more action movies were our main hero manages to kill all his enemies, even when he is outnumbered. And it all works out very well because of Wahlberg. He really can pass for action hero. Danny Glover and Ned Beatty are bad guys and Rade Serbedzija gives us very believable performance too. Most beautiful part of this movie is Rhona Mitra and there is also Kate Mara in it. So, Fuqua managed to make a solid movie. This is certainly not his best but it is recommendable to watch for all action fans.
Decent action movie nothing special
posted on 02 Aug 2009Mark Wahlberg delivers a good role as the main character! He has come along way since his rapping days! Most of the supporting cast give good performances! I was a bit disappointed with Danny Glover! I know he is an excellent actor but he just didn't do anything! In fact it almost looked like he made fun of this project! I mean 3/4 of the movie he had some sort of lisp (like daffy duck) and in the last scene it was gone! (If this has a medical cause than I apologize for this remark! But if it's done on purpose it is just a shame!) The action scenes were very enjoyable! But as a thriller "the Shooter" just doesn't have what it takes! Sure it is tense at times! But overall the story is very predictable and you just know how it ends! If you love action movies,you have to check this out! Just don't expect to much of it!
Shortest 2 hour Movie that I have ever watched. It's Great!!!
posted on 19 Jul 2009Yes this movie moves along at a pace that I almost couldn't keep up with, but I managed. The nice thing about this movie is that the acting is believable and also it just happens to have a GREAT STORY LINE. Even though this movie is a little over two hours long it doesn't seem that way. One reason that we went to see this movie was that a fellow that worked at the Theater told us that he really like this one. He, of course, was right. This movie also makes a point, as to how things could take place. This movie will not disappoint you. If you like action movies then this one is for you. Go buy a ticket, sit down, and hold on, because this film will take you for a ride. If you want to go to sleep while watching a movie then don't go to see this one. Regards, HK
Return to the 80's style action movie...
posted on 15 Jul 2009I've been off new movies for a while now thanks to the sheer amount of emotional content even in relatively simple actions movies of late, even Casino Royale felt more like a romantic movie than an action one.The fact my friends and I decided very late that we wanted to see a movie and this was the last show of the day.I expected another love on the run kind of movie going by the adds, considering the fact that fugitives on the run always fall in love in the last decade or so.BUT BOY WAS A I Surprised.....Action Movies in classic period 70-80s weren't about love, like the movies of today, they were about simpler and stronger themes like hate, anger, revenge, saving the world,survival or sometimes even none of the above. They were action flicks pure and simple and made with the boys in mind, with good special effects, lots of blood and gore, and the scantily clad women who weren't always the love interest. Those were the years, you had the occasional emotional action flick but those were appreciated as there were not many of them. (PS as i say this I must say I'm only 24 and watch movies on DVD's now and Video before that I've grown up loving boy movies like predator, aliens, Rambo etc.).This movie is the simplest big budget action film I have seen in years, which is like the 70s and 80's action flicks.This movie isn't about love, its about feelings that are often much more stronger, PATRIOTISM, HATE, REVENGE.(The best part is that the intimate moments don't culminate in a kiss,an event that was hardly seen action films of yesteryear's but is seen in more big budget action films nowadays then in romantic comedies, for this alone this movie deserved 8 stars).We have the older themes like the one-man army who's out for revenge and at the same time wants to clean the system.The hero isn't a emotional boy-toy hes a super-killer like Rambo, Dirty Harry, Arnold etc.The girls are not there providing emotional support to the men, but like the classics take the back-seat to make way for the action. (And the gratifying but unnecessary exposure is also provided, sadly none from Rhonda Mitra though).The movie is made in the superlative and no attempts are made to relate it to real (unlike the action movies that have the most outrageous action sequences but make the man a homo/metro whatever its called nowadays just to make it more real, think of that when a car flips over 5 times, or when face masks are printed in 5 mins).Attempts made to errors in the law of science and logic will turn up dozens of examples but I don't care and neither did the mostly male audience.The attacks at the system are not overdrawn conversations but simple, hard-hitting facts, you may not be emotionally drained but amidst all the mindless fun, you get thinking.The acting is good even though its hardly important, yet the parts played by all the characters are good (considering the fact that the film is in the superlative).Technically this film is very good as any big budget film should be, with lots of real explosions and stunts and minimum use to CGI.The one-liners are few but they are very very good.Considering the genre of the film the only real flaws the film has is that when you see a film made in the superlative based in the real world sooner or later your mind starts churning and you begin to reject material( Did he just do that, how can that happen, no way not again .......etc etc etc), the longer than normal length gives you just about time to start thinking about this before the movie ends.The lack of stylised action scenes, especially since the movies all about guns, we needed some defining action moments but this film doesn't really have any.In all a great action film thats simple and mindless fun, and a must watch for fans of the simple no-nonsense action movie.A must watch for the guys although some of the girls seemed to like it too.-s no defining moments or stylised gun action scenes, the superlatives finally get to you maybe due to the slightly above normal length.+/-s none really this movie is plain and simple.+s pure and simple mindless fun, lots of guns, blood and gore and explosions, good acting (considering the points), good chicks,revenge flick about a guy who cleans the system (got me goosebumps),no kisses NOT ABOUT LOVE (THANK GOD FOR THAT).Total 8/10 (not counting the fact that it exceeded expectations and the fact that its a simple fun action flick don't compare it to dramas and then cry about it).
So-So "Thriller"
posted on 13 Jul 2009Mark Wahlberg and Danny Glover start in this thriller about an ex-Marine Force Recon Sniper (whom they made out to be a Special Ops soldier, which they are not) who gets to play the patsy for an assassination of Ethiopia's president. Besides all the mumbling and whispering, there were many other cliché moments in this movie. Danny Glover plays the bad guy (which is a questionable casting decision), but the highlight of the movie comes in the last quarter, when Ned Beatty shows up as the corrupt senator whose the money behind the whole conspiracy. Beatty even reprises his speech about "no countries, only corporations" which he famously spoke in the movie "Network". After Wahlberg and his FBI buddy (well-used Michael Pena) prove to the FBI that crimes were committed by Glover, nothing happens so Wahlberg sets to work on taking matters into his own hands for a righteous, bloody finish. 6 points.
Yesterday was about Jason Bourne. Today is about Bob Lee Swagger.
posted on 13 Jul 2009Mark Wahlberg is at the top of his game in this great action-thriller. Probably one of the most entertaining action flicks of year 2007, 'Shooter' is a movie with story we have all seen before, although story is well told in this movie it still isn't original which doesn't make the story factor positive in giving this movie's rating. On the other hand action and scene-to-scene progressing is excellent, one of the best i've seen in an action flick like this, acting is also pretty okay, Wahlberg as i said earlier was at the top of his game, he was convincing and he made a good impression in this film. I don't quite understand those eerie phony sounds that Danny Glover is making when he's speaking, is his character supposed to speak like that or is this Glover's personal thing, and i don't recall hearing him speak like that before in 'Lethal Weapon' series. So if you take pretty unoriginal story, those phony sounds coming from Danny Glover and overcooked ending(s), this movie's rating is 9.5/10, otherwise...8.5/10
Insane! All the elements of a great action movie! I loved it
posted on 05 Jul 2009Everything about this movie was amazing, from the plot to the cast to the incredible action scenes. The military technology used was impressive, and the entire thing was so realistic. Mark Wahlberg was gorgeous as always and the role suited him. I took a friend who doesn't particularly like action films and she loved it! My only complaint would be the slow motion they used, it sort of disrupted the flow of the movie. Other than that, I was at the edge of my seat the entire time. My heart was beating out of my chest even after the movie was over ( that could also be because of Mark Wahlberg!). Don't listen to any negative reviews of this movie- it was fabulous and deserves some attention!
Too many holes...
posted on 01 Jul 2009I don't know how this film scored average of 7 stars out of 10 from IMDb...---spoiler---- 1. Why would Fenn help Swagger even going as far as putting her life in danger? because he sent flowers every year for her dead boyfriend? 2.Why would Memphis help Swagger even going as far as putting his life and courier in danger? because he knocked him down to ground and humiliated him and said "I didn't do it"? 3.Why would Galindo(hot FBI chick) help Memphis even going as far as putting her courier in danger? because he's a new guy and came to the office earlier then her? 4.Why does Jack Payne (the bad guy who got his arm shot off towards the end) act like his a cool psychotic bad guy when he only appears on film for about 30sec? Do not waste your time on this movie.
lots of action with high body count...
posted on 01 Jul 2009that after a while just gets to be too much. I thought this movie was pretty good, but the last 20 minutes go down hill. We are introduced to Bob Lee Swagger, the best sniper in the us military. He's who they call for all the secret missions that no one knows about. His partner dies and he quits the military. Several years later Colonel Johnson says the country needs his help. They've learned an attempt will be made on the President's life by a sniper and they want Swagger to show them where the sniper might shoot from, etc... Only problem, the President isn't the real target and the Colonel is out to set Swagger up as the shooter. Young FBI agent Memphis becomes involved because Swagger tells him it's a set up. Middle part of the movie is Swagger on the run, trying to recover from 2 bullet wounds. Once well he goes after Colonel and his associates. All the bodies do get kind of silly because the bad guys seem never to hit Swagger. Once Swagger turns himself in, that is when I thought the movie went down hill. The explanation of the rifle not being able to fire, what kind of FBI agents didn't investigate that. And then the final act of revenge was surprising.FINAL VERDICT: If you like all the violent action films, then this is for you.
Very good at illustrating the systemic aspects of Imperialism
posted on 27 Jun 2009I was quite skeptical at watching the film, and didn't even get around to watching it until just last night(5/13/08), well over a year after it came out. What I saw was a pretty good political analysis as to what the major cover ups are and the cause of this Imperialist oil war.Yes, they do sprinkle a big ole plop of conspiracy theory, notably burying the snipers who did JFK in the desert. The line, "I still have the shovel" was quite amusing. Yes, the protagonist is a superman with the penchant for arriving in the nick of time and the ability to kill everyone. Chuck Norris isn't as bad as this guy.What I found to be impressive though was that the movie placed the blame on a consortium of haves. It did not narrowly define exactly who the enemy is, so much as allow for a broader condemnation of capitalism and imperialism. The FBI agent sympathetic to the hero even goes so far as to wear a Che t-shirt.So, when the aptly named Swagger tells Sarah Fenn, his buddies ex-wife, that the reason he took on the mission was because he fell for patriotism, we are given a quick condemnation of the flag waving jingoism that the US is trying to use to recruit young people for their imperialist wars. The WMD's are brought up, and are quite resonant in the context of a system without morality and only haves and have-nots.I was impressed with the film.
TERRIBLE ANTI-America MOVIE!!!
posted on 25 Jun 20091/3 of this movie was very likable. The latter 2/3s of the movie turned out to be nothing more than an extremely distasteful political message. I found myself, and could see others in the theater visibly squirming in their seats at the ridiculously anti-US theme in the movie. I actually felt duped into seeing this movie. NOTHING in the previews even hints at what this movie eventually becomes.If I had known how dreadfully bad the movie turns out, I would have seen something else this weekend.Not recommended at all, unless of course you leave after the first 35 to 40 minutes.
Good Action Movie
posted on 05 Jun 2009I'm not going to delve into the story of the film nor am I going to pick over every single aspect of it. All I want to say is that Shooter is a good action movie. The performances are solid, and the plot makes sense. But most of all, the movie maintains an intensity throughout. If I had to compare it to another movie, it would probably be Rambo. In fact, Shooter is kind of like a liberal's version of that movie. I was thoroughly entertained and I left the theater satisfied. If you're looking for a deep flick, go watch something else. But if you're looking for a cool action movie to watch on Saturday night, Shooter is a good choice.
Sneaky sniper-action saves this movie from mediocrity.
posted on 01 Jun 2009I love sniper flicks and this one was pretty good. The sniping seemed dead-on to me, though the only thing I can compare it with are other sniper movies The first part is a bit slow as they lay out most of the story. The story is kinda cliché and predictable, but not as hollow as one would fear. The movie really comes to live during the action scenes, sniping or just general shooting or fighting, it's good. What bugged me about the first part was that there were a lot of scenes of a weirdly grunting Marky Mark after getting some lead pumped into him. They kinda stretched that too long, just like the car chase. Part 2 is grand. A lot of violent action. The more general action seemed a bit over the top, but the sniping once again ruled supreme. There are some nice plot twists but they'll only surprise you because the storytelling is so crappy (Which brings up the question if bad story telling can actually improve a mediocre script ) The acting in general was OK, not Mark's best but not awful either. He's believable though I felt like he kinda changed his southern accent thingy around a bit inconsistently. Danny Glover's lisp and messed up voice kinda annoyed me, same goes for the other old guys (Ned Beatty?) who seemed to just wheel in their performances. The guy playing the wheelchair bound military dude was good, I think he plays Gredenko on 24 so I kept waiting for someone to cut his arm off, but alas, no such luck. If you like action movies you should definitely watch it.
Greatest Movie after Many Months
posted on 28 May 2009Well, what can I say? I came out from the theater with disbelieve. I was so sure that this movie is not going to give me much entertainment, other than gun-shooting, a little bit drama and romantic, and perhaps, a little heart beating scenes. But it proved me wrong. The storyline is great. Even greater than I first thought it's going to be. But once more time, it proves me wrong. I'm not going to tell you all guys and girls in details about this movie. This movie is supposed to rock anyone with their sense of war. This movie, is also for those who like being a sniper. It explains a lot about it. And I'm sure you can enjoy their brief but clear explanation about every details, and everything that can affect a sniping process. So, for you guys and girls who like a "payback" kind of movie, this is the most perfect movie for you guys. Enjoy!!! I rate this movie, 10/10
She shoots, she sews, she scores.
posted on 22 May 2009Sure Kate Mara's bit part is a bit part. But she is sufficient to stitch up Hero at critical point, do an excellent bit as a normal person playing an actor (she is doing Holly Hunter as Tammy Hemphill playing the blond?) playing a normal person in another scene, and generally move the plot along. And she has excellent targeting and marksmanship. I also liked the use of actual 'off the shelf' tech. The various Barret(R) arms being showcased without 'magic'. Except for the 'remote' operated M-3 tripod thingy implied - IMHO there is no way a remote operated weapon could be used to shoot the black guy - the CPE is too high. Anyways, my other minor plot holes are, the FBI can't do computerized databases in the first place despite lots of our taxpayer money spent and with multiple times at bat. I'm not sure the FBI actually successfully uses IT on anything more than a local basis if that. You don't design a security system to shout out 'this is secret but exists and you cannot access it, nyah nyah, na, na, na'. I am even of the opinion that 'compartmentalization' does more harm than good. Anyways, well worth the 5$ per ticket I paid.
Falls short in the second and third act.
posted on 16 May 2009Shooter stars Mark Wahlberg, Danny Glover and is directed by Antoine Fugua. Mark Wahlberg plays a marksmen who, after witnessing the death of his best friend and 'spotter' goes living in exile but is pulled back into his job after learning of an assassination attempt on the Presidant of the United States. He applies for the job, but soon later is double-crossed and framed for the attempt. He then goes on the run to track down and kill the person who set him up.The first act is by far the best in the film and as usual it sets the tone and pacing of the rest of the film. After an impressive first act i was hoping for this to be sustained or get better, but sadly it doesn't. Instead it lacks all the greatness that the first act gave us and piles up a slow and steady decline of poor pacing, acting and not enough action.After having high hopes of seeing a great film full of thrills, good acting, explosions and excitement i was greatly disappointed.
They killed his dog.
posted on 10 May 2009I really liked that dog. He could open a fridge and bring you a beer, only if you would give him a drink. He could also eat carrots from your mouth, like a horse. He would lay there without earplugs while you shot off a large caliber weapon into a ravine. I know it's only a movie, but I really liked that dog. I would like to thank the casting director and the animal handler for selecting that particular animal. I didn't scan the credits to see what his name was, but I will later. I hope Bob Lee can find it in his heart to love another one.I also have enormous amount of respect for the Alsatian they used as a police dog. He did his job very well and according to the director's commentary on the DVD, he thoroughly enjoyed being tossed around while being covered in padding. There were no cats in this movie, but I will give them another chance in the sequel. I really think all FBI and CIA offices in movies should have cats. It's good for the morale and the heart.
Excellent Sniper Film
posted on 16 Aug 2009"Shooter" really surprised me. When my dad took me to see it, I thought it would be another crappy, shoot-em-up film that contained excessive gore and too much sexuality. Instead, I got an adrenaline-rushing flick with great acting, a thick, intense plot, and even better...Mark Wahlberg! In the beginning of the movie, it flashes back to a less successful sniping mission Wahlberg and his best friend Donnie are sent on. Three years later, Wahlberg has retreated to an outdoor cabin, living off beer and enjoying his dog's company. Then one day a US colonel (Danny Glover, Silverado) arrives at his house with a story about how he believed an assassin would try and kill the president during an outdoor speech, and that we wanted Wahlberg's opinion about how this could be accomplished. Wahlberg, completely falling for the scam, accompanies the men to Pennsylvania, but not before delving into the sniping game once again, taking wind readings from various buildings around the site. Of course, Glover and his men completely set Wahlberg up, framing him for the death of Uganda's (?) ambassador, but not before shooting him twice. Wahlberg, seriously injured and hunted, runs to Donnie's widow. During these events, Nick Memphis, an amateur FBI officer, is delving into the attempted assassination, and uncovering information that, for his sake, should definitely stay put. His suspicion about Wahlberg's crime turns into realization that the man is innocent...after being kidnapped and tortured, saved at the last minute at the suspect's expense. However, during this time, government officials have captured Wahlberg's gal, and are asking for his cooperation in the case in order to turn the suspicion away from them. What will Wahlberg (just remembered...his name is Bobby Lee Swagger in the movie) and Memphis do? Once again, this was a great movie with much more sewn into its plot than this comment summarizes, that is begging for your viewing!