Shooter

Adapted from Washington Post film critic Stephen Hunter’s novel Point of Impact, Shooter’s an unfortunate dud. Mark Wahlberg plays a Marine sniper who’s recruited by shady federal agents to thwart a presidential assassination attempt—but winds up accused of making an attempt himself and dodging a furious nationwide manhunt. Think back on Three Days of the Condor, First Blood, The Fugitive, The Bourne Identity, et al, and you’ve probably already put more thought into this thing than screenwriter Jonathan Lemkin (The Devil’s Advocate) and director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day), who here combine their already debatable talents perfunctorily. At least viewers frustrated by the nagging lack of action in Jarhead will finally have a new sniper movie that’s not afraid to crack some skulls. But that satisfaction wears off as Shooter plods along toward its far-fetched conclusion and finally just gives up on itself.