The Netflix flick tries hard to compensate for its old story with sleek visuals and a talented cast, but struggles to leave a lasting impression.
A highly trained assassin/lone wolf has a trusted advisor. She travels with an ardent thirst for vengeance, but the initial plot reveals a swirl. At to brute? Moment. Seems like most action-thrillers are being made these days, right?
Kate, currently streaming on netflix, To the best of its ability, with a twist or two, gathers together both established and promising talent to deliver a predictable story.
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Kate (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), a terrified spirit whose childhood has been replaced by fierce and murderous training, leaves her running from pillar to post while hunting for the lives of Japan’s underworld lords. His mentor Varrick (the always wonderful Woody Harrelson) plays family, friend and confidante; Alfred for Kate’s Batman. The two learn that Kate, after a drunken encounter with a stranger, is poisoned with a substance that has no antidote… leaving her for a day to avenge her imminent death.
The film is set against the backdrop of a gloomy Japan with dirty streets, overcrowded skyscrapers, dilapidated markets, massive economic inequality and the shadowy surroundings. Although this country is also known for its culture, heritage and food, but it is rarely seen in the film. There’s no doubt that the Ashes scenes benefit the plot’s morbidity, but director Cedric Nichols-Troyan and writer Umair Alim adhere to these Japanese pop-culture stereotypes by making excessive use of neon lights and creating a futuristic setting. Made deliberate attempts to build on the idea openly. Dispensable technology could have been avoided.
Slightly before the start of the actual plot, Kate is assigned a kill, which is the only time she sees daylight in the film, as the bulk of it takes place over the duration of a fatal night. The target is accompanied by her teenage daughter Annie-chan (Miku Patricia Martineau), which raises a moral question in Kate’s conscience: can she shoot someone in the presence of a minor? However, the fair orders she receives are clear and she takes a shot, eliminating the target with two strikes. While an imaginary sniper often avoids taking two shots to kill (in fear of being seen clearly), Kate is often seen doing the opposite. Well, the argument in defense of the film is not really its strong side.
Composed by Nathan Barr, the film’s soundtrack is a delightful platter of Japanese pop, rock and denpa often encountered in anime. It plays a vital role in creating an aura around the protagonist and his endeavors throughout the film. But when the music blends effortlessly catE’s combat sequence, it doesn’t add to the thrill, purely due to Kate not facing fights that are challenging enough to build a mass appeal for the character.
Mary Elizabeth is seen giving it all and more, but the character’s storytelling and development, or lack thereof, was less in the chutzpah that would have made a world of difference. By the end of the film, the actor may even regret being denied the responsibility we know he can afford.
Perhaps the most unsatisfying disconnect in the film is the relationship between Kate and Annie-chan and the poor attempt to establish it. From hating Kate to trusting her, and once again hating the killer for killing her father, there’s a classic case of too much and too soon to fight with. When viewed in person, Miku Martino plays Annie with utmost sincerity and a character arc enough to arouse sympathy for her. But the projection of her mother’s issues onto Kate is unclear as this idea is omitted somewhere in the film, ignoring another possible connection between the two.
Additionally, Woody Harrelson has been given insufficient screen-time despite his brilliant personality and ability to do justice to his role.
The film includes scenes from a centuries-old hospital escape, a stereotypical bob to free the female killer from prolonged tension, and a car chase that ends badly – all of which make it a question whether the old man can be revived. Why was no effort made to do with this style of illustration.
The idea of a murderer avenging his death before it happens, and the setting not being west (for once), is interesting. However, in such a crowded style, cat Struggling to leave a lasting impression in the minds of the audience.
Kate is currently streaming on Netflix
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