Action hero extraordinaire Jason Statham has made a living starring in over-the-top, adrenaline-fueled pictures such Crank and The Transporter. Well, he's back in another action film, however this one focuses more on character and a rather involved plot. Statham is teamed up with the impressive duo of Robert DeNiro and Clive Owen in Killer Elite.

Danny (Statham) is a former assassin who has left the business after a job gone wrong. He is enjoying a quiet life in the Australian countryside with his girlfriend, Anne (Yvonne Strahovski of Chuck). But just when he thought he was out, they pull him back in.

Statham's mentor Hunter (DeNiro) has been captured by the former king of the Arab state of Oman. Three of his sons were killed by SAS (Special Air Service of the British Army) during a conflict, and he wants Danny to get these agents to confess, and then kill them. If he can accomplish this, then Hunter will be freed.

So Danny rounds up his old team of mercenaries, and goes to work. Unfortunately, a group of former SAS agents led by Spike (Clive Owen) catch wind of their aspirations and intend to protect their own. This leads to a back and forth struggle between the two factions, and in particular, Danny and Spike.

About halfway through my viewing of Killer Elite, I started to feel disappointed because it wasn't what I had expected. I had enjoyed Statham's work in the Crank films, and loved Owen's work in the equally ridiculous film Shoot 'Em Up. So I imagined that this film would be a mishmash of those films, sort of a live-action cartoon. Once I got over my initial disappointment, I started to appreciate the film for what it was, rather than dismissing it for what it wasn't. It is more akin to Statham's critically acclaimed turn in The Bank Job than the rest of his filmography.

Killer Elite is a smart action film... perhaps too smart for me. I felt like I should have been taking notes about who wants to kill who and why. It reminded me of The Bourne series of films, and also Prison Break, two other action/political intrigue vehicles. If you enjoyed those series, than you will also likely appreciate Killer Elite. But if you go into this film wanting to see Jason Statham safely crash his motorcycle into an airplane, well, you might not be pleased.

Rating: 3 1/2 of out 5