Summary
Firearms expert Taran Butler mocks a significantly inaccurate detail in the 2007 filmShooter. The film sees retired Marine Scout Sniper Bob Lee Swagger (Mark Wahlberg) fighting to survive and prove his innocence afterhe is framed for an assassination he did not commit.Shooteropens three years before this event and prior to Swagger’s retirement during a mission that goes wrong, featuring a massive explosion and the death of Swagger’s close comrade.
In aCorridor Crewvideo breaking down the scene,Butler points out a glaring inaccuracy in how Swagger reloads his firearmduring the mission, despite being a highly trained sniper. Check out the video below:
Butler mockingly says,“That was the reload, huh? It’s like those video game guns where you hit the bottom like that. His reload is just to tap the bottom of the mag, and it’s reloaded.“He was also critical of how the explosion itself was brought to life earlier in the scene.
Shooter’s Greatest Strength Is Not Its Realism
It Prioritizes Over-The-Top Action
Not every film needs to be a masterpiece, and can work purely as an entertaining revenge fantasy.
Shooter’s reloading inaccuracy is ironic given that the protagonist is an expert sniper, but realism is not what the 2007 film does best. TheAntoine Fuqua-directed filmultimately works best as an over-the-top action thriller as Swagger untangles the sinister web of political conspiracy he has been thrust into.Shooteris most satisfying when it focuses on exaggerated actionthat allows Swagger to get revenge against those who wronged him and those close to him.
With a 48% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes,Shooterfailed to impress critics, who took issue with the plot and did not feel the film elevated itself above others in the same genre. At an audience score of 80%, though,Shooterproves that it is still able to be entertaining, and its convoluted story of political corruption being challenged bySwagger’s violent retaliation does not have to be realistic. Swagger teaming up with FBI Special Agent Nick Memphis (Michael Peña) and Sarah Fenn (Kate Mara) adds to the entertainment value as well.
Shooteris generally not considered one of thebest movies featuring Wahlberg, Peña, Mara, or the actors playing the villainous characters, including Danny Glover and Ned Beatty. Nevertheless,Shooterremains a thrilling action moviein which corrupt authorities pay the price for manipulating soldiers and everyday people. It is a reminder that not every film needs to be a masterpiece, and can work purely as an entertaining revenge fantasy.
Shooter
Cast
Shooter is an action thriller directed by Antoine Fuqua. Mark Wahlberg stars as Bob Lee Swagger, a retired Marine sniper who is wrongfully accused of attempting to assassinate the President. Forced to flee, Swagger must use his skills to uncover the real culprits and clear his name. Michael Peña, Danny Glover, and Kate Mara join the cast in this intense narrative of betrayal and survival.
