A product of its time, “Shooter” is a post-9/11 conspiracy thriller that goes into full bozo territory, making it a satisfying entry in Mark Wahlberg’s expansive filmography. The actor stars as Sergeant Bob Lee Swagger (yes, that’s his real name), a sniper in self-imposed exile who is roped back into the military-industrial complex after learning about an assassination attempt on the president. Things get complicated when Mr. Swagger is framed for the crime and has to go on a manhunt to find the real killer.
The film is special for the lead actor, with Wahlberg saying he would do a “Shooter” sequel for one specific reason. In addition to Wahlberg, the cast includes Michael Peña as an FBI agent, Danny Glover as a military boss, and a pre-“House of Cards” Kate Mara. “Shooter” has developed a passionate following, especially after it blew up on home media. Fans might not know that the film is based on Stephen Hunter’s novel “Point of Impact”; the character of Lee Swagger has a considerable literary presence, appearing in a dozen books. The success of “Shooter” eventually led to USA Network commissioning a television adaptation of the film and Hunter’s novels. Produced by Wahlberg, the action series ran for three seasons. Stateside, the series can be watched in its entirety on Tubi.
Loved “Shooter” and want more chaos? Check out these hidden gems on Netflix that all action fans need to see.
