Sniper: Reloaded (2011)

(On-demand video, March 2012) Add another piece of evidence for the theory that Direct-to-Video movies are getting better thanks to digital production techniques: Sniper Reloaded may not be a film for the ages, but it’s a serviceable piece of B-grade action film.  Shot in South Africa but meant to take place in war-torn Congo, this very loose sequel to the first three Sniper film has a few thematic ambitions by looking at the complicated politics of African civil insurrections.  Here, a Marine narrowly escapes death-by-sniper when trying to rescue a white farmer.  Trying to find the identity of the mysterious sniper only gets him deeper in trouble.  Add a few shooting sequences, a little bit of occasional directorial flair, some earnest performances and snippets of beautiful African scenery and the result is quite a bit better than anyone would expect from a third direct-to-video sequel. While it wouldn’t be fair to praise Sniper Reloaded beyond its modest goals as a moderately entertaining genre picture, it does achieve those goals handily, and deserves a bit of recognition as such.