When it comes to 60s crime films, Don Siegel\u2019s reimagining of The Killers is by no means a disappointment. From the get-go, the film never seems to be concerned with living up to the standards of the 1940s Film Noir classic. Robert Siodmak\u2019s version is much more faithful to Ernest Hemingway\u2019s story but it\u2019s refreshing to see that Siegel chose a different approach for his version. The Killers abandons its Noir roots for something much flashier and its vibrancy is really brought to life through the bluray transfer. It is a film of its time and thrives on its absurdity \u2013 John Cassavetes and Angie Dickinson race each other in go-carts, Ronald Reagan plays an abusive criminal, and every love scene is layered with B-movie dialogue and an overpowering score. This does, however, make for a rather enjoyable viewing experience, especially as Siegel is so aware of its place in popular cinema and doesn\u2019t even attempt to re-create the brooding seriousness of the original.<\/p>\n
Lee Marvin and John Cassavetes are equally good in their roles, although it is a bit of a shame that Marvin doesn\u2019t have more screen time. The casting of Angie Dickinson is possibly the most problematic element as she always seems a little too innocent for the femme fatale role. The character development leaves a lot to be desired but by the end of the film it doesn\u2019t really matter. The Killers embraces its 60s vibe and the final product resembles an early James Bond film more than a slick Noir. There are a lot of surprisingly funny moments including practically every scene with Ronald Reagan in as a villain fighting to keep possession of his woman.<\/p>\n
When compared to other notable crime films of the 60s, such as Bullitt and The Italian Job, The Killers can seem to miss the mark at times, as its pacing is all over the place and some of the love sequences are laughably cringy. Although this is all made up for by Marvin\u2019s screen presence, a decent heist sequence, and Siegel\u2019s assertion from the beginning that it will be nothing more than a bit of fun. This would be a great companion piece to John Boorman\u2019s Point Blank, also starring Marvin and Dickinson, which has a very similar vibe. It is bound to be compared with the Siodmak version, Siegel successfully manages to fill in some of the gaps in the original, but tonally it is a very different film.