Statham and Owen Rise to the Occasion in 'Killer Elite'

Killer Elite is a solid, but mostly forgettable, thriller that has an intriguing plot and solid cast going for it, but isn't particularly well-made.

Based on an allegedly true story written as a novel by Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the plot concerns badass killer-for-hire Danny (Jason Statham), who seeks to get out of the game, but is lured back when his partner (Robert De Niro) is kidnapped.

An oil sheik in Oman wishes for Danny to go to England and kill the former Special Air Service (SAS) soldiers responsible for the deaths of the sheik's sons during an earlier colonial war. However, those soldiers are being protected by a shadowy group of powerful old men, a sort of British version of The Syndicate from The X-Files, while their enforcer (Clive Owen) is a badass killer himself.

So, it's a gripping premise, and Statham and Owen are always welcome even in the worst projects. The only problem is, the direction is especially subpar. Director Gary McKendry has no idea how to shoot hand-to-hand combat, while the broader action scenes aren't much better.

It's fun, but like I said, totally forgettable.

Killer Elite, directed by Gary McKendry and starring Jason Statham, Clive Owen, Robert De Niro and Yvonne Strahovski. Rated R; 1 hour, 40 minutes.

Killer Elite is now playng at:

• UA King Of Prussia Stadium 16 & IMAX, 300 Goddard Blvd, King Of Prussia
• AMC Plymouth Meeting 12, 494 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting
• Regal Oaks Stadium 24, 180 Mill Road, Oaks