Agent Game, despite its confusing title, wasn’t a half bad direct-to-video flick though the editing was messy and the action scenes could’ve been better choreographed, however there was enough here that kept my attention.
Agent Game
(2022)
Genre(s): Action, Suspense/Thriller
Lionsgate | R – 90 min. – $21.99 | May 24, 2022
Date Published: 06/22/2022 | Author: The Movieman
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Lionsgate provided me with a free copy of the Blu-ray I reviewed in this Blog Post.
The opinions I share are my own.
THE MOVIE — 3/5 |
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Plot Synopsis: Harris (DERMOT MULRONEY), a CIA interrogator at an Agency black site, finds himself the target of a rendition operation after being scapegoated for an interrogation gone horribly wrong. As the team tasked to bring Harris in begins to question their orders — and each other — Olsen (MEL GIBSON), a senior intelligence officer, and his subordinate, Visser (ANNIE ILONZEH), raises the stakes. Now, it’s up to Harris and some newfound allies to uncover the truth and turn the tables.
Quick Hit Review: Perhaps it was a low bar going in, and my experience watching so many of these direct-to-video films from Grindstone or Saban Films but Agent Game, aside from being a stupid title, wasn’t as incompetently made as expected. The script itself did feel like it came out of the late 90s or early 00s however I would be lying if I didn’t tell you I was somewhat entertained. In regards to the cast, Dermot Mulroney reminded me he’s an underrated actor and needs to be the lead in more films (however here he’s only in about half) while Jason Isaacs and Mel Gibson puts in their time; Gibson for his part isn’t as wildly compared with his drunk performance in Dangerous. The rest of the cast, including Adan Canto (Designated Survivor), Katie Cassidy (Arrow), Rhys Coiro (Hustlers), Annie Ilonzeh (Chicago Fire), are pretty expendable with some attempts at giving them superficial depth.
Directed by Grant S. Johnson, who previously helmed two other movies (Frat Star and Nighthawks), from a script written by Mike Langer (Burying Yasmeen) and Tyler W. Konney (story credits on Black Water and Money Plane to name two), Agent Game isn’t some groundbreaking or even great espionage-thriller but I found it moderately entertaining despite some shoddy editing and generic action sequences which could’ve been the limitations of the budget. As it is, I think this is worthy of a rental, just don’t go in expecting the Bourne movies or even the more recent Anna film which I quite enjoyed as well. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 2/5 |
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This Blu-ray/DVD combo pack comes housed in a… DVD Keep Case. I thought Disney was the only one to do this. I have no clue why Lionsgate went this direction. In any case, inside is a redemption code for the Digital HD copy. The only features are an Audio Commentary with Director Grant S. Johnson and Subterfuge: Playing the Agent Game (23:36) making-of featurette. |
VIDEO – 4½/5 |
| Lionsgate releases Agent Game onto Blu-ray shown with a 1.85 widescreen aspect ratio and a 1080p high-definition transfer. For the most part the picture here looks good, detail especially on the close-ups is sharp, such as seeing every wrinkle on Gibson’s hardened face, while colors vary from near neon blues during the plane scenes, darker tones at the black site or bright, vibrant colors in the interview scenes or the exterior location at the beginning and end. |
AUDIO – 4¼/5 |
| The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track which wasn’t anything phenomenal but more than serviceable. Dialogue came across the center channel with good clarity but where this lossless track disappoints is during the action and gunplay sequences where the depth lacked any real impact. |
OVERALL – 2¾/5 |
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Overall, Agent Game, despite its confusing title, wasn’t a half bad direct-to-video flick though the editing was messy and the action scenes could’ve been better choreographed, however there was enough here that kept my attention through the short running time and it was fun watching Mel Gibson through his minimal screen time (probably 10-15 minutes). |
Check out some more 1080p screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.