FIRST KILL

US, 2017, 97 minutes, Colour.
Bruce Willis, Hayden Christensen, Ty Shelton, Megan Leonard, Gethin Anthony.
Directed by Steven C.Miller.

First Kill is one of the many films that Bruce Willis made after his stardom had peaked. He could play hero or villain.

This film has a rather complicated screenplay, a focus on hunters, crooked police and murders, cover-ups, diamond robberies, victim suspects, abductions. To that extent, the screenplay keeps the interest. Ty Shelton is the young boy, Gethin Anthony the suspect who turns out to be something of a hero.

1. The title, father and son going hunting, the prospect of the son’s first kill, the contrast with the reality, the criminals, murders?

2. The city sequences, Wall Street offices? Homes and suburbs? The woods and the forests? The small town, shops, police precincts? Hideouts? The musical score?

3. The introduction to Will, busy, challenges, at home, with Laura, with Danny? The decision to take time off? Going to his old home in town? The meeting with his aunt, her warm welcome?

4. Driving, the incident with Howell, memories of the past, the police, his father and his death?

5. Danny, his age, relationship with his father, going hunting, his reluctance? His father showing him how rifle worked? His increasing interest? The deer in the forest, setting the sites, his being disturbed?

6. The puzzle of the situation with the two men, confrontation, the jewels, hidden in a deposit box, the verbal arguments, the shooting, Levi throwing the key? The policeman, sensing Will and Danny present, shooting, Will shooting the policeman? The cover-up and explanation?

7. The opening, Levi and the robbery? His being set up? His surviving, Will taking him and asking Laura to bind his wound? Her initial reluctance? The cover story?

8. Further police, the crooked connections with the robbery? The crooked police wanting to find Levi? To recover the diamonds?

9. Howell and his investigations, supporting Will, the questions, the meetings? The gradual revelation that he was behind the robberies? The killing of Will’s father? His complaint about deserving to have a reward for all his service to the people and their ingratitude?

10. Levi, taking Danny as hostage, his treatment of him? The time limit, Will to find the key, to find the box? Levi and his girlfriend, the mother, her illness and respirator? Danny being more comfortable, the friendship with Levi, playing the computer games, the time passing?

11. Will, returning, finding the key? The other police, investigations? The mystery of the gun that killed the police, Howell and his investigations? The investigations to find about the sick woman, the address?

12. Will, his being followed by Howell, persuaded about the setup, the information for the rendezvous, Will going into the house, Danny being let go, hiding on top of the lookout? The police pursuing him, climbing, Danny pushing him over?

13. Howell, The revelation of the truth? Will and his disillusionment? Collaborating with Levi?

14. The confrontations in the woods, the shootings?

15. Laura being abducted, the other policeman, her being in the rifle sights? The distraction, Howell and his death? Levi being shot?

16. The happy ending, the family reunited, the effect of the experience on Danny, being so young?