Blu-ray, DVD Release: Killer Elite

Blu-ray & DVD Release Date: Jan. 10, 2012
Price: DVD $29.98, Blu-ray/DVD Combo $34.98
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertaiment


Killer EliteThriller movie Killer Elite brings together three top action stars in one movie: Jason Statham (The Mechanic), Clive Owen (Trust) and Robert De Niro (Limitless).

Statham stars in the film as Danny, a retired contract killer, who joins his mentor (De Niro) to take down the leader of a secret military society (Owen). Their hunt goes around the globe, from Australia to Paris, London and the Middle East. And, as in all good action crime films, as the stakes rise, so does the body count.

Rated R, Killer Elite is based on a true story and book by Ranulph Fiennes, but it’s not a remake of the 1975 movie The Killer Elite starring James Caan and Robert Duvall.

Also starring Dominic Purcell (Straw Dogs), Killer Elite is the first feature film directed by Gary McKendry and the first movie written by screenwriter Matt Sherring.

Killer Elite DVD box

Despite stars Statham, Owen and De Niro in the cast, the movie got lackluster reviews from critics. NPR‘s Ian Buckwalter said, “Jason Statham is enjoyable enough to watch that he can occasionally make one forget just how silly and dull a movie like Killer Elite really is.”

The movie grossed $25 million at the box office, not a great score for these players and much lower than the film’s estimated $70 million budget.

That’s a shame, because the premise and the cast does sound promising. The film could be good for a least a look as a rental on DVD or Blu-ray.

The Blu-ray is a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack. It comes with a downloadable digital copy of the film, which expires Dec. 31, 2012, My Scenes and the Pocket Blu app, which allows viewers to use their smartphones to control their Blu-ray player.

The trailer certainly looks action-packed. What do you think?

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About S. Clark

Sam Clark is the former Managing Editor/Online Editor of Video Business magazine. With 19 years experience in journalism, 12 in the home entertainment industry, Sam has been hooked on movies on since she saw E.T. then stared into the sky waiting to meet her own friendly alien. Thanks to her husband’s shared love of movies, Sam reviews Blu-ray discs in a true home theater, with a 118-inch screen, projector and cushy recliners with cup holders.