Robert Luketic has made some great films. Legally Blonde skyrocketed Reese Witherspoon's career, and 21 was a Vegas-favorite back in 2008. So I was excited when I heard that he was working with Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl, but I was prepared for the worst when I learned that he wouldn't be screening Killers for the press. Sadly, my cautiousness was well deserved.
I wouldn't go as far as to claim that Killers is a terrible movie, but it wasn't great either. The script was generic, taking a major slice out of the formula that made Mr. and Mrs. Smith a huge summer blockbuster back in 2005, and it was a bit too predictable for my liking. I knew what was going to occur a full twenty-minutes before it actually happened, and I unintentionally guessed the film's final outcome about half an hour into the feature. Not a good sign for any theatrical release.
Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl do a decent job with the script, but the true scene-stealing performance belongs to Catherine O'Hara. Portraying an alcoholic mother to Heigl's Jen, O'Hara gives the film a comedic constant. I don't think there was a moment that we could take her seriously, nor one where she wasn't either ordering or holding a liquored up beverage - and what isn't to love about that?
Kutcher and Heigl share a strong bond in the film, but their relationship is a hard one to buy. They seem like the perfect family, which does create a satirical element to the movie; however, their transition from settled lovebirds to on-the-run killers is a bit whimsical for my liking. Don't get me wrong, I do love satirical films, but they need to be clever. 'Blond' moments and too-good-to-be-true situations are a lazy way to create laughs, and all parties involved are too good to stoop to such low levels.
I will say that the action sequences were more fun than I expected, especially considering the muddy waters we have to paddle through after a rather entertaining beginning. Once the action gets started the clues do come fast We see dead bodies fall all around our leading couple, and the targets never do get to venture far before running into another nemesis. But that can only happen for so long before it becomes repetitive and anti-climatic.
I think the original plot line was good, but the follow through was quite dismal. Young girls will probably enjoy the film, but won't remember it an hour after leaving the theater. Kutcher and Heigl should definitely give co-starring another go at it, but read through a few more scripts to find something with a little depth. Killers is definitely not a good representation of their talent.
