Kevin Costner is seeing a bit of a comeback recently. After appearing in supporting roles in MAN OF STEEL and JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT, he’s got two starring roles hitting early this year with DRAFT DAY in April and 3 DAYS TO KILL this weekend. Directed by McG and written by Luc Besson, this new action film is welcome return of the seasoned actor, and surprisingly fun to watch.

The story revolves around Ethan Renner (Costner), a CIA agent at the end of his career who despite his age is still one of the best there is. He’s observed by Vivi Delay (Amber Heard), another agent assigned to make sure his mission goes well. Ethan botches a job going after a target called The Albino (Tómas Lemarquis) when he becomes dizzy and collapses just before finishing up. The CIA doctor informs Renner he has a form of brain cancer, and shouldn’t expect to live more than five or six months. Now Ethan feels he must make things right with his estranged daughter Zoey (Hailee Steinfeld) and ex-wife Christine (Connie Nielsen), but Vivi comes back into his life insisting he finish the job he previously screwed up. In exchange for his service, she offers him an experimental drug that might just extend his life expectancy. So Ethan reluctantly agrees to keep working, trying desperately to cover up his actions from his family, and deal with the bizarre side effects of the drug and sickness he’s subjected to.

It’s easy to make comparisons to movies like TAKEN or even the recent career path of Liam Neeson when watching 3 DAYS TO KILL, but unlike that film series this movie ramps up the comical and fun elements, blending the right mix of action with great character moments. Costner plays the grizzled tough guy with a heart of gold like an old pro, and becomes consistently endearing with the role. We buy into his deadly skills, but sympathize with his shortcomings as a struggling father and husband. In many ways it’s one of the most audience-pleasing characters he’s ever played. Hailee Steinfeld has fun as the distanced daughter, growing up in France and trying to find her own independence, but very much in need of parental guidance. Connie Nielsen is also great as Ethan’s cautious wife, who isn’t sure if she can trust the man she once loved to accomplish a return to fatherhood. Sadly underdeveloped is Amber Heard, who while effortlessly sexy and mysterious never seems properly fleshed out in her motivations. I can’t help but wonder if there’s more story behind that role that ended up on the cutting room floor. The Paris setting feels appropriately perfect for this spy family thriller.

McG does a fine job as director, smartly handling the action scenes in fresh and interesting ways, and knowing how to master comedic timing in moments where you’d least expect them to be. He’s also been down this road before with the recent romantic spy comedy THIS MEANS WAR. Luc Besson developed the story and co-wrote the screenplay, that’s thankfully a far cry better than his last big screen effort THE FAMILY, which despite a strong cast just failed to reach its potential as a quirky mob comedy. Besson has done the assassin with a heart of gold thing before, most notably with THE PROFESSIONAL, but it’s been a while since his words have resonated so well. Running almost two full hours, 3 DAYS TO KILL feels about 10 minutes too long, but never seems boring or overly forced. While it may have the makings a huge blockbuster hit, this film is a solid entry for a February movie, and an impressive return to form for Costner. It’s the kind of movie I wouldn’t mind revisiting a few times, and if the box office is strong enough I could see it spawning a few sequels. Of the various films hitting theaters this weekend, 3 DAYS TO KILL is without a doubt the most fun you’re likely to have for your box office bucks.

Be Sociable, Share!

• 
•