Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 is next on my agenda here at IndieGala. But so is The Marksman, to be honest. Two vastly different projects but with a very similar theme throughout.
However, before I get into the details, I must mention that I already did an article about Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts. A very different article, but also an article I did last year. Yeah, the previous post was a nice list of cool sniper movies, which you can check out again here. Oh, I simply cannot forget the cool Hitman series. A true iconic project in the stealth video games, don’t you think?. But this one will be different. How different you might ask? Well, this particular article will not only feature one movie. But at the same time, it’s about Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2. The long-anticipated sequel, that’s finally coming out.
But what’s Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 All About?
Developed and published by CI Games, Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 is about a new level of skill, focus, and precision. With many targets now over 1000m away. A first for the series.
So, you must, take on the role of Raven in the game. A contract Sniper Assassin with nerves of steel and a steady arm. As he embarks on a new series of contracts in a lawless region of the Middle East, located along the Lebanese and Syrian borders. With a seemingly impossible task at hand, your mission is to topple an insidious criminal syndicate and bring them to justice. Finally, Contracts 2 pushes new boundaries with its hyper-realistic sniping experience. Furthermore, you get to master a wide arsenal of weaponry based on realistic military equipment. Not to mention explore vast terrains with an enhanced level of detail. And finally, confront the series’ most lifelike enemies to date.
Both Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts (available here) and Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 (click here) are available for purchase here at IndieGala. Hurry up, get Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 while it’s still hot.
And if by any chance you’re not interested in the Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts series, then don’t despair. The Hitman series always delivers (available here) and so does Sniper Elite 3 (check it out here).
But why The Marksman For Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2?
Well, because of the fact that both of these projects are new releases. And of course, because there’s a Marksman/Sniper in both of them. Besides, I’ve never had an opportunity to review a Leam Neeson project so far, and as you can tell… I relish that now. I just adore Liam Neeson.
But over here in The Marksman, he’s Jim Hanson. A veteran and a recent widower who’s living a quiet life on his small property that he’s about to lose. He’s got his dog Jackson, his pickup truck and once in a while, his stepdaughter Sarah (Katheryn Winnick) comes to visit him. He’s also got money problems and alcohol problems. But one day, his problems will get a whole lot bigger. No, I’m not talking about his marksman/sniper abilities, far from it. His problems will multiply once he encounters Rosa (Teresa Ruiz ) and Miguel (Jacob Peréz). Mother and son fleeing from the cartels with a bag full of money. However, after Rosa dies, Jim will reluctantly accept the task of getting Miguel to their destination- Chicago. It’s not an easy task, especially with cartel criminals on their tail. But hey, someone’s gonna do it?
Liam Neeson Gives Everything Here!
Indeed, he does. Let me just say how good he’s in this movie? He’s a sullen, brooding and flawed man that’s on a mission of his lifetime. Not to mention, he’s carrying the entire movie on his shoulders, and yeah. It’s not easy, but he’s still gracious, lovely and talented as ever. No, Liam Neeson gives everything he has in his power here (performance-wise). But the script from Robert Lorenz, Chris Charles, and Danny Kravitz doesn’t really know how to reciprocate that dedication from the veteran actor. Furthermore, the poor, bland, dull and non-engaging script is the biggest culprit here. It desperately wants to be a Clint Eastwood movie. A modern western about a flawed old man on a path to redemption. But it fails in almost every area I feel. Most notably in the lack of character and plot development. But let’s start from the beginning, shall we?
By The Book Movie At It’s Best
The Marksman is a slow burner of a movie, but aside from that, it’s very formulaic. It’s as predictable as it’s dull, and yes. It’s mostly the script fault. But aside from the flaws in the script, I’ll say this much. There’s a glimpse of change in Jim as the movie progresses. Not much changes here, but his cynicism slowly fades away as he finds a new purpose in life. And it’s a nice start, but the writers have left it at that and called it a day.
However, he also makes a series of dumb decisions in this movie. Decisions that a man of his stature and experience should know better. Such as not getting a cell phone. Or the decision to pay with a credit card on his very dangerous toad-trip. But clichés are easily found in plenty of other characters. For instance, the cartel bad guys who are playing a game of cat and mouse with Jim and Miguel. They’re textbook Mexican baddies, don’t you think?. And they stay textbook cliche baddies as well.
No Character Or Plot Development
Did I mention that? Well, I think it bears repeating. But once the movie got into a road movie territory, and was mostly Jim and Miguel in the screen-time… Well, I anticipated a lot more character development. Not to mention a lot more character bonding with these two. Let me give you a good example of what I mean. When I mentioned a Clint Eastwood movie earlier in the article, I immediately thought of A Perfect World.
Probably one of the finest Eastwood movies and in my opinion one of the most underrated. Now, A Perfect World has quite a few similarities with The Marksman. An older man and a kid in the center of the story. Next, they’re both on the run with men chasing their every move. But the connection, the bond and the emotional, yet sad ending are far inferior to Eastwood’s masterpiece. Here they seem a bit wasted. Structurally and visually.
Such a shame really. Liam’s performance is strong in The Marksman. Too bad the movie isn’t as well.
Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 VS The Marksman
Are you a fan of the previous Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts game? And what do you think about the sequel? Will it live up to the hype? Or not? Let us know in the comment section.
