Sometimes it takes long periods of development to perfect a
story. Sniper (1993) starring Tom Berenger, was a mildly successful film.
Enough success propelled the story of the main character for a couple more
stories. Only to be picked up and rested on the shoulders of a younger
generation by introducing Chad Michael Collins. That was when Sniper: Reloaded
(2011) came to the scene, and with some minor help from Billy Zane, the
franchise got a fresh kick start. Since then, the sequels to come after have
remained decent but missed chances to really further develop its characters
more. But at last, fans have seem to have gotten what they wanted. With much
emphasized desire, the franchise has been able to once again rise up and show
that there's still life in this aging series of films.
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| Chad Michael Collins & Danay Garcia |
Starting off with a funeral for one of Brandon Beckett's
friends who committed suicide, Beckett Jr. begins to have second thoughts.
Shortly after, Richard Miller returns with orders for him to take down a drug
lord by the name of Morales (Juan Sebastián Calero) in Bogota Colombia. Heading
the operation down there is Thomas Beckett, along with newcomer Kate Estrada
(Danay Garcia) who has been on Morales' tail for the last few years. After an
unsuccessful strike on Morales' home, Estrada and Beckett Jr. discover there's
a sniper after them played by Felipe Calero who's got a trick up his sleeve.
For this entry, director Claudio Fäh returns to head this entry. Being that he
helped in initiating the revival of the series once before, it suites that he
circles back around. As for writing, things have gotten better too.
Chris Hauty also comes back from the previous film to pen
the story here and it has improved. Aside revisiting old characters, Hauty's
script was able to tackle several things this time. Right from the beginning,
Brandon Beckett begins to rethink his career with the thought of developing
post traumatic stress disorder. This is an issue that was addressed in the
original Sniper (1993) with Richard Miller understanding how to cope with it.
Then there's the focus on technology and how it has advanced, which is what
Beckett Jr. and his crew are tasked with. No more are the times when a bullet was
just a bullet like the first movie, things have gotten more complicated.
However, the best supporting parts of the movie are the quips Beckett Sr. and
Miller have with each other. Whether it be a split screen or in the same
location.
While Hauty's script continues to miss the opportunity to
explain past characters absences, this feels less of an importance now. The
Colonel (Dennis Haysbert) and Bidwell (Dominic Mafham) are nowhere to be found
or mentioned. Yet this is made up for by the chemistry between the actors.
Seeing Chad Michael Collins, Tom Berenger and Billy Zane all on the same
screen, FINALLY, is practically a dream come true for any devoted follower of
the franchise. Especially since the last time the two veterans shared the
screen was way back in the first movie. The latin cast are a great addition
too. Danay Garcia gives her character a lot of fortitude and energy, while
Felipe Calero as the hired sniper and Juan Sebastián Calero as the drug lord
come across quite dangerous to say the least. All well done, even for the
supporting characters played by Joe Lando, Jaime Correa, and Lucho Velasco.
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| "On my honor, I will follow Master GUNS" |
The finishing touches to the film mostly worked well too.
Ross W. Clarkson was the credited cinematographer to this feature it is shot
wonderfully. With majority of the scenery coming from Bogota Colombia, the
scenes are even more cinematic looking than that of any other prior sequel.
Although only a short period of time will the plot have sniper action happening
in the rural terrain, the rest is still entertaining. Clarkson also worked on
other projects like Undisputed 2: Last Man Standing (2006), Undisputed 3:
Redemption (2010) and Ninja: Shadow of a Tear (2013). As for music, Frederik
Wiedmann composed the music once more although somehow he wasn't credit on
IMDb. His work may be a tad weak compared to everything else since he doesn't
try to create a theme for any character, even though he's been on board now for
a while. Oh well.
The music for the film doesn't have a signature and
the script still loses its grasp on past characters, but this is almost nothing
worth being disappointed over. The script in this feature handles much more
material as opposed to past sequels. The camerawork is great to look at, along
with having Tom Berenger and Billy Zane finally reunite once again is the
greatest feat of them all.
Points Earned --> 8:10
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