A pretty good action film, Silencer takes you into the mind of a sniper turned hit man. The storyline may be a bit jaded, but the acting here makes up for it. Under able direction, nice stunt work and fight choreography and good cinematography it’s worth watching. The film opens today on VOD and Digital HD and the DVD comes out on September 18.
It’s been 10 years since returning home after his last stint in Iraq and former Marine sniper Frank Harris (Johnny Messner) finds himself in a group with people that are dealing with mental problems. Suffering from PTSD, Frank has yet to talk about himself even to a group who would understand. Living with Cass (Nikki Leigh) and her daughter Shannon (Kai Scarlett Williams) he works at his body shop repairing and refinishing classic cars. Today he has to deliver a pink convertible to a man they call Ochoa (Danny Trejo), a gangster and member of the Sinaloa Cartel.
While there Ochoa reminds him of the days he worked as his hit man and offers to set him up for big money. Refusing, Ochoa understands his wanting to settle down and put the violence behind him. Before leaving the boss’s right hand man Lazarus (Robert LaSardo) reminds Frank that he shouldn’t ever refuse Ochoa. When an incident involving Ochoa’s young daughter Nikki (Sofia Esmaili) happens, Ochoa calls in Frank to kill the person responsible. When he refuses, Laz takes action to force Frank to co-operate.
So begins a battle with Ochoa that puts Frank in the middle and making a decision he will regret. Director Timothy Woodward Jr known as an action producer with films like American Violence, Hickok and Gangster Land, does a great job of building characters and setting up excitement. Of course, if you are not into gangster type violence, then it would be best to say that Silencer may not be for you. The thing he does best however, is getting a good performance out of his cast.
I don’t remember ever seeing Danny Trejo in a role where he has had to act a part that would draw sympathy, but in Silencer he pulls off a pretty good daddy role. As a mobster who has all the necessary gun power to defend himself and cause a lot of damage, he finds himself helpless when he loses his only child. At first defiant, he rants about his loss. But it’s his character’s breakdown with an emotional downslide that shows a hidden talent with a soft side to his persona. Keep it up Danny and you can reach 400 credits and I would think hold the record for performances in film and TV.
In the lead role of Frank, the PTSD soldier who has buried his life in a not so lucrative business, Johnny Messner works his powerful body into a frenzy when Shannon gets abducted. Even before, that happens, Frank’s constantly flying off the handle. But this time there’s a lot more at stake and he’s out for blood. In some very good choreographed fights, Messner punches his way out of some violent bouts with the mob. Best known for his role as Kelly Lake playing a member of a squad alongside Bruce Willis and Cole Hauser in the war film Tears of the Sun, Messner has earned his stripes in the film industry.
Silencer has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains extreme violence, drug use, sex and language. You can see the movie on VOD and Digital HD right now or wait for the release on Blu-ray/DVD on September 18.
The video release will have a Bonus Feature:
“Silence of the Night: The Making of a Hit Man” Actors Johnny Messner who plays Frank, Danny Trejo who is Ochoa, Nikki Leigh as Cass, Tito Ortiz as Timothy talk about their characters and how they fit into the storyline. Chiming in is Eric Aude the Stunt Coordinator who is a big part of the film’s success.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A nicely acted and produced film. (3.5 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Starring: Danny Trejo, Johnny Messner, Robert LaSardo, Nikki Leigh, Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Heather Johansen,
Directed by: Timothy Woodward Jr.
Genre: Action, Thriller
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, language, sex, violence, drug use
Running Time: 1 hr. 28 min.
Original Release on VOD: September 3, 2018
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: September 18, 2018
Language: English
Reviewed Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English SDH
Distributed by: CINEDIGM
Released in: Standard
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
