The Man From Toronto (2022)

2022 PG-13 110 Minutes

In a case of mistaken identity, the world’s deadliest assassin, known as the Man from Toronto, and a New York City screw-up are forced to team up after being confused for each other at an Airbnb.

Overall Rating

2 / 10

Verdict: Awful

User Review

d_riptide

3 / 10

I mean, The Hitman’s movies are at least entertaining so I should’ve expected something of that caliber with Patrick Hughes directing “The Man From Toronto”. This is not those movies; not even close.

These hitman movies normally have a very specific formula that stick almost strictly to the letter and Patrick Hughes’ directing hardly deviates from that style. It’s effectively the standard fare regarding an action comedy: lots of bantering, lots of shooting, lots of monologuing and a very forgettable structure on top with a pace that moves by way too quickly for anything to REALLY have value. Similar to his previous films, the action is staged nicely enough with decent choreography that tries for the most part; it does peek in the last act. Sound design is about as polished as the cinematography and editing: wobbly in a few areas but sturdy nonetheless, more dodgy looking CG and terrible green screen effects notwithstanding.

Hart and Harrelson’s chemistry is fine but are let down by shallow characterization and even uninspired dialogue; most of the latter running on unsuccessful ramble comedy. If anything, it comes off more funny when it’s trying to take itself seriously because the film tries pretty hard at times; you can thank the capriciously erratic, varying degrees of tone for that.

Execution and presentation make the already dull plot feel even more dumb than usual. The movie takes the now trivial premise of mistaken identity and rolls with it for way longer than it had the right to laced with a storyline that you can follow beat for beat every step of the way. If it was charming and the characters and technical aspects had more personality or charm, I could ignore that but they don’t; that’s one thing I can give the Hitman films credit for: they’re oozing with personality and every scene, at least felt like it was supposed to be there.

Honestly, it feels like I watched a whole lot of nothing here. Sure, I chuckled a few times but this ain’t the type of disposable entertainment you should be making.

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