Movie spotlight
The Marksman
Max, a young hunter, must win a shooting competition to claim the hand of his beloved Agathe. But on the eve of the competition, seemingly having lost all shooting prowess, Max allows himself to be convinced by his rival Kaspar to make a pact with the devil to use seven magic bullets which never miss their target. Wagner said that Carl Maria von Weber’s early-Romantic gem was the most German of German operas. With touches of the eerie supernatural, Der Freischütz is an irresistible mix of colourful folklore, tender romance, and a passionate struggle between good and evil - all captured in Weber’s tuneful and dramatic score. Successful Russian theatre, opera and film director Kirill Serebrennikov makes his debut in Amsterdam. In his approach to the opera, the struggle for success is transposed from the world of hunters and that of artists.
Insights
Plot Summary
Jim Hanson, a former Marine turned rancher, lives a solitary life along the Arizona border. When he encounters Miguel, an 11-year-old boy and his mother fleeing a cartel, Jim is forced to take them in. After the mother is killed, Jim must protect the boy and embark on a dangerous journey to reunite him with his family.
Critical Reception
The Marksman received largely negative reviews from critics, who found the plot predictable and derivative of other Liam Neeson action films. While some acknowledged Neeson's familiar presence in the action genre, the film was generally criticized for its weak script and uninspired direction.
What Reviewers Say
Liam Neeson delivers his usual stoic performance in a by-the-numbers action thriller.
The film relies heavily on familiar genre tropes, offering little in the way of originality.
Despite a predictable plot, the action sequences provide some moderate entertainment.
Google audience: Audience reviews indicate a mixed reception, with many appreciating Liam Neeson's return to his signature action role. However, a significant portion of viewers found the storyline to be unoriginal and predictable, with some expressing disappointment in the execution of the action.
Fun Fact
The film was shot primarily in rural locations in Ohio, which doubled for the Arizona border landscape.
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