Antoine Fuqua knows how to make engaging and thrilling action films, just like Shooter. And novelist Stephen Hunter, understands the intricacies of writing quality characters, with great personalities. While Jonathan Lemkin helped to write the screenplay for Shooter, Stephen is the person behind the novel that inspired the movie, titled Point of Impact. Sure, I’m here to rank the characters of the movie and not the novel, but I had to mention the source material. It’s only right, isn’t it? Nevertheless, it’s time to see how well these characters hold up in the action-packed adaptation by Fuqua. Here are the top 5 best Shooter (2007) characters!
5. Mr. Rate
In a movie with many well-written characters, it’s rare that someone who only shows up for about 5 minutes is more compelling than the main cast. But here I am, about to explain why Mr. Rate is the 5th best character in Shooter. But that’s a bit surprising, isn’t it? I’m not going to discuss Jack Payne (Elias Koteas), Michael Sandor (Rade Serbedzija) or Charles Meachum (Ned Beatty). While those characters were pretty good, Mr. Rate was above and beyond better.
Levon Helm is a musician first, actor second. But it’s hardly noticeable in his portrayal of the old firearms historian, who’s filled to the brim with knowledge and has tons of personality. It’s as if the character was a part of the main cast, the way he demands attention in his 5 minutes of screen time. Best of all, he’s the most interesting person during that time, while sharing the screen with Mark Wahlberg and Michael Peña. If that’s not impressive, I don’t know what is!
If Mr. Rate, and Levon Helm, would’ve been given a bigger part in the story, he could’ve easily been the best character in Shooter. I mean it. 100%. However, that’s not the case. But the time we get with him is definitely utilized well, and so I am more than happy to start off my list with him – Mr. Rate.
4. Sarah Fenn
Kate Mara is solid, through and through. Whether she’s playing a nurse or crying her eyes out, she does an admirable job. It’s not great, but it’s good. However, I have to say that most of the problems with Sarah Fenn come from the writing, and not Kate Mara’s performance. I’m really just saying that Kate gets a thumb up from me, but the character gets a 6 out of 10, at most.
Sarah Fenn is the widow of Donnie Fenn (Lane Garrison), who was Bob’s spotter when the two of them were serving time in the army. In the film, she plays an integral role, as she saves Bob and helps him get back on his feet. It makes sense, as he had been sending Sarah flowers ever since the day Donnie Fenn died. While Bob became a recluse, living on top of a mountain with his dog, he still kept contact with one person; Sarah Fenn. In turn, their relationship is rational and realistic – considering the circumstances. And the way she behaves in situations makes so much sense that it’s actually really impressive to watch.
While I have heaped some praise on Sarah Fenn, it’s important to note that while she’s a good character, she lacks personal investment and logical reasoning.
🥉 Isaac Johnson
There are some people in Hollywood are hard to dislike, with Danny Glover being one of them. So, how in the world was he able to pull of a despicable character like Colonel Isaac Johnson? You’re guess is as good as mine, but he nails the sly snake in the grass so damn well! Honestly, I was impressed by his performance, but the character itself is another matter entirely.
Colonel Isaac Johnson is a corrupt individual, who’s officially the secondary antagonist, while being the main villain of the story. It’s on his request that Bobby Lee Swagger comes out of his “hiding”, and he’s the one framing the sniper for his own personal gains. While his motivation is simplistic and egotistical, his harrowing way of tracking Bobby down is genuinelly difficult to watch at times, as Isaac stops at nothing to get what he wants. It’s even alluded to that one of Isaac’s men, Jack Payne, raped Sarah Fenn. In turn, it makes you hate Jack, but also makes you realize how Isaac Johnson knows no bounds. While it can’t be confirmed if he knew about the incident, Jack did work for Isaac, so he knew what type of a person he was, that’s for sure!
All in all, Isaac Johnson is a solid villain. He won’t be your favorite character or anything, but his relentless ways of approaching things, and his harrowing pursuit of Bobby, makes him an ideal villain for a story such as this. In turn, I’m more than happy to place Isaac third on my list of the top 5 best Shooter characters!
🥈 Nick Memphis
I’m confident in saying that almost all of us look at Michael Peña as a comedic relief character, irregardless of who he’s playing. It’s just the role he’s taken on so many times. It’s what people know him for, and what made him famous around the world. So it’s not surprising that I really struggles taking him seriously as Nick Memphis in Shooter, right? But do you know what? I left the movie having newfound respect for Michael Peña. He impressed me. I can only give props to him for giving life to a serious, more dramatic, character than what he’s used to playing.
When it comes to the character that Michael portrays, I can only say that the Special Agent for the FBI is an invaluable character. In this “race against time” story, Nick Memphis is Bob’s only lifeline. He’s the one trying to uncover the truth and set things right. In turn, his role is actually the most interesting, as you will see his mind working things out. One clue after another, he is piecing it all together, and it’s genuinelly interesting. While we don’t get to know much about Nick’s past or personal life, what we do know is that he is genuinelly a good-hearted person, who is willing to die for what’s right. He’s intelligent, curious, with a stoic behavior, that goes well hand-in-hand with Bob’s hardened and rough-around-the-edges nature.
Best of all, when Nick and Bob finally link up, some of the dialogue and action scenes they have together is absolutely mind-blowing. In the most badass sense imaginable, of course. With that said, I’m placing Nick 2nd on my list of the top 5 best Shooter (2007) characters!
🥇 Bob Lee Swagger
Mark Wahlberg was made for action roles such as these, as he’s often very good at portraying characters like Bob Lee Swagger; rough and tough interior, warm-hearted and likeable, but as badass as the baddest man on Earth. It doesn’t matter what, when or where. Bob has enough swagger to drench you like the Amazon forest, leaving you thirsting for more! The way walked out the hangar, with the american flag behind him, was like he hit the runway in Milan. But I guess it’s not surprising, now is it? These are the roles that made Mark Wahlberg such an icon in action movies, with Shooter amongst his finest work!
Bob Lee Swagger’s world gets turned upside down by Colonel Isaac Johnson. While he wanted to help prevent the POTUS from getting assassinated, he himself was set up instead. It threw him into a crazy whirlwind of mind-blowing events, filled with blood and death. Fighting his way through adversity, we see his true nature. He’s not just a humble recluse, who loves being with his dog, hunting in the wild. He’s a good-hearted veteran, who still salutes the flag for the country he once fought for. But what truly sets him apart is his professionalism and his confidence in his abilities. Bob’s a living, breathing, sniper. It’s who he is, what he does best, whether he likes it or not.
Bob Lee Swagger Is One of Mark’s Best Action Characters
Mark Wahlberg does an excellent job with Bob. While he portrays a rather simplistic character, he does it well. Not only that, but Bob is genuinelly a great lead character in this action movie. I’m not saying that he rivals Ripley or Rambo, but that he’s solid. His measured nature is well matched with his ability to kick butt, with a behavioral tone that suits the storyline. This is not a punch ’em up action movie. Shooter is about a veteran using his well-honed abilities to outsmart his opponents at every turn. It’s not so much about killing the opposition, but doing it in effective and well-executed way. In turn, I just find Bob a really good character.
With that being said, Bob Lee Swagger takes the #1 spot on my list! He is the best of the best characters in Shooter (2007)!
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