SNIPER: LEGACY
US, 2014, 95 minutes, Colour.
Tom Berenger, Chad Michael Collins, Doug Allen, Dominic Mafham, Mercedes Mason, Dennis Haysbert,. Nestor Serrano.
Directed by Don Michael Paul.
Tom Berenger first appeared as Thomas Beckett, the top Sniper, in the film of 1993. It was popular but the sequels did not come until eight years later. Berenger still appeared. However, some years later, the series continued with Beckett’s son, Brandon, played by Chad Michael Collins. He appeared in four of these films (Berenger appearing in the last two) which were designed for video release.
This film opens with an assassination attempt by a sniper in Berlin, continues with action in Syria, Brandon and his companion, Sanaa, Mercedes Mason, shown with skill in their eliminating the enemy. Yet, Brandon has second thoughts and wants time out. He participates in another action and then his father reappears. A reunion, but forgetting the inadequate fathering by Thomas Beckett.
The opening assassination attempt leads to information that one of the participants in a special Afghan operation has had a breakdown and is killing off those who participated in the action. He concentrates on Beckett but confronts Brandon. Ultimately, there is a showdown.
Dennis Haysbert is in the supporting cast as the colonel who has slipped off the radar in a Greek island. In the end, the action comes to him.
This episode should satisfy fans of the Sniper series.
1. The popularity of the Sniper films? Start in 1993 – continuing for more than a quarter of a century?
2. The films made for straight to video release? Quality of photography?
3. The history of the series? Tom Berenger in the 90s and early 2000? Training, skills, in action? Older, his disappearance, reappearance, in action? Making contact with his son? Poor father? Strong military commander?
4. The range of locations? Berlin, Greek Islands, Syria and Turkey? The beauty of the photography? The musical score?
5. The initial action in Syria, Brandon and Sanaa, snipers working together, Reese and his companion? The convoy, the targets, the shooting, deaths?
6. The American presence in Syria? Turkish bases? Bidwell, tough stances, attitude towards Brandon, the other snipers? Reese and his fight with Brandon? Brandon wanting to leave, not going with the squad to confront the arms dealers, his confrontations along the way, tough, his position as sniper? The action, his ability? Sanaa
and the others?
7. The opening in Berlin, the meetings, Simpson and his setting up the rifle, the death? The background story of the Afghan involvement? His killing all those involved? Arrival in Syria and Turkey? The killing of the last member of the group?
8. Beckett and his reappearance, age, bonding with his son, Bidwell and the situation, explanations? His meeting with his son, the focus on action rather than regrets about the past?
9. The setting up of Simpson? His fight with Brandon and challenging him and his father? The sniper set up, the ammunition? Bidwell and Sanaa and firing? Simpson getting the better of Brandon? Beckett shooting him twice?
10. The colonel, retired, in Greece? But still controlling situations? Beckett meeting him, the shooting and attack on him? His being wounded?
11. Brandon, his future, wanting time off, his father in command? Further sequels?