The Hitman

"The Hitman" has Chuck Norris in the title role, a cold-blooded killer working for the mob in Washington state. He's really an undercover cop, of course, who has been presumed dead after being double-crossed by his vicious, foul-mouthed partner (Michael Parks).

Norris' assignment is to infiltrate the Italian mob, bring it together with French-Canadian mobsters moving into the territory — then bring both down at once. Unfortunately, an Iranian mob keeps getting in the way.

As if to offset all these negative racial groups, there is also a subplot about Norris taking under his wing a black youth who is terrorized daily by a bully — a bully whose father is a child-abusing bigot. Norris teaches the lad self-defense, and he eventually kicks the stuffing out of the bully.

Mainly, what "The Hitman" is about, however, is Norris beating people up, unless he can't get close enough, in which case he simply blows them away. There is lots of gunplay with automatic weapons, plenty of explosions — ranging from cars to buildings — and a lot of broad acting. Everyone overplays his role here except Norris, who is as stiff-necked as ever.

What you won't find is much in the way of logic, and this film isn't stylish enough to get the audience past its silliness. There are a few bizarre moments, however, as when an Iranian is tortured by having raw pork stuffed in his mouth.

On the whole, it's typical Chuck Norris. And if you pay to see a Chuck Norris movie — especially a Chuck Norris movie directed by his brother Aaron — you probably know what you're in for.

"The Hitman" is rated R for excessive violence and profanity, with some vulgar sexual dialogue.