Review: Killers (2010)

Happy "hearts" day, readers. Today I am sharing my review with you all of one of my most favorite romantic comedies. Enjoy. 

>>>

Unfortunately, due to the theater I most frequent never showing this (still mad with them – although not enough to stop frequenting their doors *wink*) I wasn’t able to see Killers upon its release. But since its release, it was just one of my most looked-forward too releases and so, it was with anticipation that I popped it into the DVD player only to find myself being the most thoroughly entertained by a movie that I have been in a long while.

An exotic location like France is the perfect place for one to get over an ex-boyfriend. (Especially when you are the one who told the guy off… or you would have dumped him, only he broke up with you first.) Sandy white beaches, a fabulous five-star resort, and wonderful foreign dishes… that is just the kind of “therapy” Jen Kornfeldt (Katherine Heigl) needs, and that is exactly what she is doing, only she isn’t alone. Instead she allowed her parents to coerce her into a vacation together, just the three of them. Thinking herself pathetic for being a single, accomplished woman who is, of all things vacationing with her parents (Tom Selleck, Catherine O’ Hara), Jen unexpectedly finds herself being swept into a whirlwind romance when she suddenly meets her ideal guy in Spencer Aimes (Ashton Kutcher). After a brief relationship the two marry and settle into an idyllic suburb life where they exist peacefully for three years. She is a technical consultant while Spencer operates his own construction company with a partner. Just when Spencer thought his past – a past his wife knows nothing of – was long over and forgotten, he is contacted by his former boss.

Life before Jen involved government work, work that gave him license to kill, only now the situation is reversed and there is a hit out on him! Knowing how the system works, Spencer has little time to react even as he realizes that anyone – neighbors, friends… anyone could be a “killer.” These “types” of movies seem to be a dime a dozen in recent years. Everyone wants to concoct some sort of action-packed story, because, well, irrespective of critics, the appeal of a knock-out-comedy tends to draw a crowd. Somehow even amidst the busyness of screeching tires, and the ring of gunfire, I just “knew” this would be “good old-fashioned” entertainment… that and the fact that I like the cast probably made all the difference.

Rather than conform to initial impressions, Killers actually threw in some surprises along the way – albeit clichéd as they are, still these twists weren’t of the usual kind. From previews and other reading, I had this idea affixed in my mind of how the scenarios the story presented would play out and instead it wavers between being an outrageous comedy and a comedy with some plucky heart behind it. Basically after the first twenty minutes the laugh-out-loud funniness (from the characters perspective) is over as the realization that someone is out to kill Spencer sets in. In fact probably the majority of the movie could be categorized as “boring” if one thought about it for very long since its main premise revolves around one day as the hero dodges bullets with one after another killer making some sort of attempt on Spencer’s life. With so many mishaps following one right after the other, things can get a little busy but then counteracting that effect, it doesn’t deter the story from ever becoming dull or slow. Said to be in the “romantic-comedy” genre this really isn’t a romance. It has humor, a bit of sappiness, and lots of chaos and action, but really the girl-meets-boy bit is wrapped up during the film’s set-up; the majority of its runtime, Spence and Jen are married, which means that on filmmakers part it just isn’t as “fun” to focus on the attraction between its leading stars. So… for those of you guys: be assured this isn’t some girly chick-flick that you’ll be roped into seeing, and if you allow it, you may actually enjoy this.

Casting directors pulled together a recognizable cast which essentially offers a wide audience interest; whether you’re in a younger age bracket or remember the oldies, this has familiar faces. Everyone plays well off the other, and since this isn’t your typical “rom-com” Kutcher and Heigl do admirably well together in the way of on-screen chemistry. Although typical in its idea, Selleck and Kutcher share some hilarious moments often tagged as male “bonding” just as Heigl plays the doting, only daughter to a T. Although brief, the vacation spot provides for a gorgeous backdrop and when ignoring the obvious the script does throw in a ringer or two all to conclude on a humorous but more satisfying end whereas its alternate merely offered a chuckle. I read once that this likely would have done much better at the box office had it not had such an uninspired one-word title. As a result, earnings could barely be considered marginally well and DVD prices were awesome (or low) for those who snagged a first-week copy.  Alternatives were much better by either placing the word “five” to precede the off-putting chosen title or giving a fresh spin on an old catchphrase (both of which would have fit the story), but then that was just a missed opportunity.

It’s a pity this wasn’t better received or promoted. In anticipation of its premiere, there was some really cute promotional material (something in many ways is more important than you realize); the DVD is a bit of a letdown because nothing about it is very eye-catching. This is a shame because “fun” would be the best way to sum this up. You’ll probably smile a little at the antics between Spence, Jen and her parents, maybe even sober at the mere inkling things are about to take a turn for the worse. Marriage is approached – believe it or not, positively and Jen also finds herself making a difficult choice when she finds herself responsible for more than herself before realizing that although he has lied to her over the course of their marriage, she and Spencer have something worth fighting for. Because of that, there is more than meets the eye to this killer of a comedy! 


(What!? I couldn’t resist incorporating a pun that would tie into the otherwise lackluster title. *grin*)

Related Posts:

• Marriage: too Soon, too Young - or Both??
• Review: New Year's Eve
• Review: One for the Money

(Rated PG13 – because of flipping cars, car pursuits and the like. About six people die various different ways; several are shot multiple times, another is run off a cliff; a woman is impaled by a ceiling fixture. Fistfights break out that turn into more of an action-stylized scene. Profanity consists of the usual common variety but “God!” or “Oh my god” is used several times as forms of exclamations; sadly, the f-word is also shouted not five minutes before the entire movie wrapped making it wholly unfortunate [a milder form of it was also used moments previously]. Sexual dialogue abounds between a married couple, and although never seen it’s implied they were intimate after mere weeks of dating. Half-dressed for work, Jen and Spencer make-out and roll around on her desk; crude references to male anatomy are used. On their first date, a fellow club patron assumes Jen is a prostitute because of her form-fitting dress. Talk of sex is bantered about between friends; a big deal is made about a pregnancy test. Jen’s mother imbibes – frequently.) 

Categories: Action, Ashton Kutcher, Comedy, Katherine Heigl, Movie, Review, Romance, Tom Selleck

Reactions: