SNIPER: ROGUE MISSION
US, 2022, 96 minutes, Colour.
Chad Michael Collins, Ryan Robbins, Sayaka Akimoto, Dennis Hayesbert, Brendan Sexton III, Josh Brenner, Jocelyn Hudon, Paul Essiembre, Erik Athavale.
Directed by Oliver Thompson.
The Sniper franchise began in the early 1990s, the lead being Tom Berenger. The film was popular but, in the 2000s, quite a number of sequels were made, Tom Berenger appearing in some of them, but the establishing of a character, his son, played by Chad Michael Collins, eventually reuniting and working with his father. This film is the 10th in the series – and there was another to follow.
Chad Michael Collins is not exactly in the pattern of Tom Berenger, rather tall and thin, not quite the military type, but a top Sniper. His friend, Zero, played by Ryan Robbins, appeared in some previous films and continues into the next. And, throughout a number of the films, the CIA chief is played by veteran Dennis Hayesbert. The expert assassin from the previous Sniper film, Sayaka Akimoto is on side with the heroics in this film.
Reactions to this film have been mixed, some praising it as an effective action show, others comparing it quite unfavourably with the previous films. For the record, this reviewer found this episode entertaining in its action drama way.
The focus of the film is on an international human trafficking ring, recruiting in Europe, gathering the women in London, with the support of an American CIA official, transporting them to the United States in containers, setting up outlets for trafficking in the US.
On the one hand, Zero is suspicious of the American official and asks the hero, Beckett, for surveillance on him as he is supposed to arrest the woman who coordinates the trafficking in London. Allegedly, the woman commits suicide, but the official arranges for a false passport and have been transported back to the US in a container with the women.
On the other hand, there is a sequence where a gang, taking orders from the trafficking bosses, invade a caravan where the women are available for online sexual performances – a massacre, though one of the workers advises one woman to escape.
It all comes together when Beckett arrests the corrupt official who demands Beckett’s immediate standing down, challenging the authority of the CIA. Which means, of course, Zero and Beckett will take matters into their own hands, and the assistance of the girl who escapes, are pursued by members of the gang, especially a sniper.
The action keeps moving right throughout – and, there is something of a twist at the end. And audiences should look at the credits, especially at the end, preview of coming attractions and sequels.
- The popularity of the Sniper franchise? Tom Berenger’s presence? The sequels, the revelation about his son? The son, his talent, Sniper?
- This title, the mission, human trafficking, Europe, London, containers to the United States, exploitation? The CIA, corrupt officials, Beckett and Zero and the Rogue Mission? Success?
- The London settings, the Embassy, surveillance, the apartments, the luxury home in the country? The contrast with the United States, the Port, the containers, the setting up of the women, online sexual displays? The raid and the massacre? The city, hotels and refuge, snipers, the shootouts in the street? The musical score?
- The situation, Beckett and the surveillance, the corrupt official, the woman and her not being arrested, the pictures of her suicide in the bath, his arresting the official, reprimanded by the authorities, the challenge of the corrupt official, Beckett and handing in his badge? His friendship with Zero, Zero suspecting the corrupt official, Beckett returning to the US?
- Beckett, his challenge to the corrupt official, the boss of the CIA, the challenge to the official, to pursue him, following him to his country house, the setup, the confrontation, his arrest?
- The scene of the massacre, the squad coming in, the shooting of all the women, Mary Jane being warned by Simon, her escape? Dax as the boss, his rages, Rosie as the tough man, his brother, the sniper? The pursuit of Mary Jane? The sniper, failing to shoot her? The interrogation and the police and shot?
- Mary Jane, the background story, the phone number for Simon? Beckett and Zero, shielding her, her suspicions, relying on Zero’s ex-wife, her reaction, her enthusiastic husband?
- The finale in the town, Sniper on the roof, Beckett in the hotel room, the phone messages, Simon giving them the information, his death?
- Memories of Yuki from the previous film, tracking her down, the diner, her escape, and intelligence Pete helping her, persuading her to collaborate, Pete and his breaking all the codes, Mary Jane with him?
- Yuki, participation, protecting Mary Jane, the thug, the fight? The sniper, the shootings? Zero and his confrontation with the Dax, the fight in the elevator, Dax and his death? The sniper and his fears – taking the car, returning and embraced by his brother?
- The information about the Port, the surveillance, the container, Yuki and the fights at the port, the coordinator and her false passport, escaping, on the road, being picked up, the irony of Mary Jane, killing her? Mary Jane then quietly returning to Intelligence Pete and his podcast puzzles?
- The achievement, the CIA boss, everybody gathering – and getting ready for the next sequel?
