First Kill

For a Bruce Willis paycheck movie, this modest thriller isn't half bad. Willis himself is half-asleep throughout, and, as in the same director's "Marauders", he's outclassed by the more animated second lead, in this case Hayden Christensen. Yes, Christensen upstages Willis, and he's throughly believable as a young businessman who wants to teach his initially wimpy son how to be a man. The plot (Christensen takes his son on a deer hunt, then witnesses an attempted murder, complications follow) has its fair share of holes, but is generally compelling and twisty, even if you can predict the final twist a mile away. And that's entirely Willis' fault - his acting, his mannerisms are just too revealing. The camerawork and editing have a nice fluidity, and there are many visually appealing scenes, partly due to the forest setting. The actions scenes are well handled, too. Miller knows how to stage chases and gunfire. There's some dopey dialogue, and with one exception, the side characters remain anonymous and underdeveloped. Christensen delivers a solid performance, and Gethin Anthony shines in the role of a sympathetic bank robber (we don't get to see the actual heist). Some of the plot twists are a bit farfetched, but they'll keep you watching. Overall, a step up for the prolific Steven C. Miller, even though Willis is asleep through some of it.