‘The Contractor’: By The Numbers
LAST WEEK’S release of Ambulance brought viewers a story of a down-on-his-luck former military man struggling to make ends meet. This week, The Contractor is a story about James Harper, a down-onhis-luck former military man struggling to make ends meet, played by Chris Pine.
While the motives are the same, the two films couldn’t be any more different.
The Contractor is a quiet and contemplative thriller. James turns to the world of private military operations to put food on the table, encouraged by his brother-in-arms, Ben Foster. There’s a foreboding sense of entitlement carried by both men. After years of service they’re feeling a sense of neglect from their country. The movie takes its time to show you their lives and the people they love, just before things get out of hand.
On his first day on the job, James ends up on the run, using his survival tactics to evade the authorities. Unlike a lot of oneman action films, James never feels indestructible. He’s no doubt a highly skilled professional, but there’s a vulnerability in his action scenes, making them more engaging than your average shoot ‘em up. The movie’s underlying mystery is where it’s lacking energy. Uncovering the plot happens with relative ease and lacks the tension necessary for the film’s political thriller ambitions.
There’s enough action to keep you interested and the characters are easy to latch on to. While the story might not be the most memorable, there’s a handful of scenes that stick, thanks to the film’s creative direction. It’s not exactly the movie of the year, but it’s far from a disappointing time at the cinema.
Rating: Half Price