Shooter (2007 film)

Shooter (2007 film)
Name	Shooter
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Antoine Fuqua
Producer	Lorenzo di Bonaventura
Screenplay	Jonathan Lemkin
Based on	Point of Impact, Stephen Hunter
Starring	Mark Wahlberg, Michael Peña, Danny Glover, Kate Mara, Elias Koteas, Rhona Mitra, Rade Šerbedžija
Music	Mark Mancina
Cinematography	Peter Menzies Jr.
Editing	Conrad Buff IV
Studio	di Bonaventura Pictures
Distributor	Paramount Pictures
Released	2007, 03, 23
Runtime	124 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$61 million
Gross	$95.7 million

Shooter (2007 film) is an American political action thriller directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Mark Wahlberg. The film is an adaptation of the 1993 novel Point of Impact by Stephen Hunter. It follows a United States Marine Corps Force Recon sniper who is framed for an assassination attempt on the President of the United States and must uncover the conspiracy to clear his name.

Plot

Disillusioned United States Marine Corps sniper Bob Lee Swagger is living in exile after being left behind during a covert mission in Ethiopia. He is recruited by a Secret Service colonel, Isaac Johnson, who claims intelligence suggests an attempt on the President of the United States. Swagger is tasked with scouting potential sniper perches to help thwart the attack. During a public speech in Philadelphia, the President is indeed shot, and Swagger is critically wounded and framed as the assassin. With the help of the widow of his former spotter, Sarah Fenn, and a novice FBI agent, Nick Memphis, Swagger evades a nationwide manhunt. He uncovers a conspiracy involving Johnson, a corrupt U.S. Senator named Charles F. Meachum, and the private military corporation Atlas, which seeks to profit from a war in Eritrea and Ethiopia. The climax involves Swagger systematically dismantling the conspiracy, leading to confrontations at a remote mountain cabin and a final showdown at Senate offices in Washington, D.C..

Cast

* Mark Wahlberg as Bob Lee Swagger, a former United States Marine Corps sniper. * Michael Peña as Nick Memphis, an FBI agent. * Danny Glover as Colonel Isaac Johnson, a retired Secret Service officer. * Kate Mara as Sarah Fenn, the widow of Swagger's former spotter. * Elias Koteas as Jack Payne, a CIA operative. * Rhona Mitra as Alourdes Galindo, a Department of Justice attorney. * Rade Šerbedžija as Michael Sandor, a former Spetsnaz officer. * Jonathan Walker as Senator Charles F. Meachum. * Louis Ferreira as Howard Purnell, a Secret Service agent. * Tate Donovan as Russ Turner, a Secret Service agent.

Production

Development began at Paramount Pictures with screenwriter Jonathan Lemkin adapting Stephen Hunter's novel. Director Antoine Fuqua was hired, having previously collaborated with star Mark Wahlberg on The Italian Job. Principal photography took place in several locations, including British Columbia, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.. Wahlberg underwent extensive weapons training with former United States Marine Corps sniper Patrick Garrity to portray Swagger authentically. The film's action sequences, including the complex sniper shots, were choreographed with technical advisors from military and law enforcement backgrounds.

Release

Shooter premiered in the United States on March 23, 2007. Its marketing campaign emphasized the political conspiracy and action elements, with trailers highlighting Wahlberg's performance. The film opened in 2,853 theaters domestically, competing with releases like TMNT and Reign Over Me. Internationally, it was released in markets such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany throughout April and May 2007.

Reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 48% approval rating based on 157 reviews. Critics praised the performances of Mark Wahlberg and Michael Peña and the film's tense action sequences but criticized its convoluted plot and political commentary. It was a moderate box office success, grossing $95.7 million worldwide against a $61 million budget. The film later gained a cult following on home media and cable television, particularly for its depiction of sniper tactics and government conspiracy themes.

Home media

Shooter was released on DVD and Blu-ray in North America on July 31, 2007, by Paramount Home Entertainment. The releases included special features such as audio commentary by director Antoine Fuqua, deleted scenes, and featurettes on the film's stunts and military accuracy. It has been re-released in various collections and remains available on major digital distribution platforms like Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.

Category:2007 films Category:American action thriller films Category:Films directed by Antoine Fuqua Category:Paramount Pictures films