The Killer Elite Reviews

Caan is an ex-CIA hit man who's brought out of injury-induced retirement (he had been shot in the elbow and kneecaps) to protect Mako, an Asian political leader. There's a contract out on the man's life, and the number one killer assigned to the job is none other than Caan's former comrade, Duvall, the man responsible for his debilitating wounds. Misunderstood at the time of its release, this is essentially a droll parody of espionage thrillers with plenty of chases and shoot-outs presented in an absurdist, mocking tone by director neckinpah. Caan and Duvall are fine as the former buddies pitted against each other, but Burt Young steals the film as Caan's brutish pal. The highlight of the movie is a massive showdown between Locken's forces and a group of ninja warriors on the deck of a rusty, deactivated naval vessel. In a comic twist typical of the film, Caan and Young stand on the sidelines and debate whether they should allow Mako and his black-clad nemesis to settle their differences with a traditional sword fight or if they should simply shoot the ninja themselves and get it over with. Lesser Peckinpah, but fascinating nonetheless.