The Hitman Agency, the most recent film from writer/director Dominik Starck (Atomic Eden), is a slightly more conventional film than his debut feature. This time we have corporate intrigue in the halls of a company that arranges assassinations. We also have some assassinations, double-crosses, and dirty deeds. We also have Don “The Dragon” Wilson, (New York Ninja, Bloodfist).
The film opens promisingly enough with Lucas Kane (Everett Ray Aponte) pulling off a hit despite the presence of bodyguards. And, strangely, somebody else out to kill his target. Somebody who gets away before Lucas can get answers. From there he’s sent after Joseph Kyler (Erik Hansen). Long presumed dead, Joseph was, in his day, what Lucas is now. The Agency’s best killer.
It seems there’s a battle for control in the boardroom, and Joseph has some information that could be very damaging to some people involved. So Lucas was sent to retrieve it. The interrogation of his captive leads to lots of flashbacks to Joseph’s younger days. Played by director Starck in these scenes we find out how he rose in the company. This is inter-cut with the corporate power struggle which makes an interesting contrast, to say the least.
The Hitman Agency does deliver plenty of fights, though they’re a bit of a mixed bag. The actors certainly know their moves, but like many lower-budgeted films, some of the choreography feels stiff. There’s also a good bit of gunplay, including a nice, non-CGI shot of someone getting their brains splattered across the wallpaper. Don “The Dragon” Wilson shows up as himself but sadly only in a couple of scenes. I was hoping he’d have the same kind of screen time Fred “The Hammer” Williamson had in Atomic Eden. Maybe if there’s a sequel.
And there certainly could be a follow-up. The basic idea of The Hitman Agency lends itself to all manner of stories and sequels. And this film leaves enough plot threads loose that the next film would have plenty to work with, including some very nasty scores that need settling.
The Hitman Agency rises above its humble budget to deliver a very enjoyable ninety minutes. And watch for the post-credits scene with another appearance by Wilson.
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