Watch The Shooter

The Shooter is a 1997 American thriller film, directed by Ted Kotcheff and starring Michael Dudikoff, Randy Travis, and Valerie Wildman. Despite the film never becoming a box office success or a critical darling, it has gained something of a cult following over the years. This popularity may be due in part to Dudikoff's impressive performance and the fast-paced, thrilling plot of the movie.

The film tells the story of Michael Dane (Dudikoff), a former Marine Corps sniper. After leaving the military, Dane has a difficult time adjusting to civilian life and finds himself struggling to make ends meet. However, he is soon approached by a wealthy businessman named Franklin L. Todd (Travis), who hires him to take part in a high-stakes assassination plot. Todd is running for Governor of California and wants to get rid of his most dangerous competitor, an environmental activist named Brent Kovacs (played by Stephen Quadros). Todd promises Dane a huge sum of money for carrying out the hit.

Dane initially agrees to the job, thinking it will help him get back on his feet financially. However, he soon begins to have second thoughts when he realizes just how much trouble he's in. A local detective, Amanda Jacks (Wildman), begins to investigate the case and becomes suspicious of Dane's involvement. Meanwhile, Dane's only ally in the conspiracy, Todd's sexy assistant Celia (played by Brenda Bakke), is starting to have second thoughts about the entire operation as well.

As the movie progresses, Dane finds himself in increasingly dangerous situations as he tries to avoid getting caught by Jacks and other law enforcement officials. He must also navigate his complex relationship with Celia, who may be his only hope of getting out of the situation alive. By the end of the movie, audiences will be on the edge of their seats, wondering whether Dane will complete his mission or succumb to the overwhelming odds against him.

Throughout the movie, the performances by the main actors are solid, if not exceptional. Dudikoff brings his usual intensity to the role of Michael Dane, and his physical training as a martial artist is evident in the scenes where he engages in hand-to-hand combat. Randy Travis, a country music legend making his first foray into acting, is also convincing as the ruthless businessman who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Valerie Wildman turns in a solid performance as the skeptical detective, but it is Brenda Bakke who steals the show in her role as Celia.

The Shooter does have some flaws, such as the occasional cliched dialogue and predictable plot twists. However, the fast pace of the movie and the exciting action scenes more than make up for these shortcomings. Fans of the action-thriller genre will not be disappointed by this film, which delivers plenty of excitement and suspense throughout its runtime.

In conclusion, while The Shooter may not be a cinematic masterpiece, it is certainly an entertaining and enjoyable movie. With its fast-paced action and solid performances by the cast, this film is definitely worth watching for fans of the genre. But even those who aren't typically fans of action movies might still find themselves enjoying the tension-filled plot and the impressive physical feats performed by Michael Dudikoff. In short, The Shooter is a great example of a fun, thrilling movie that doesn't take itself too seriously.

The Shooter is a 1997 western with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.0.