First Kill (2017) Movie || Bruce Willis, Hayden Christensen, Gethin Anthony || Review & Facts

e e e e e e e e e e e e how are you guys guys this is not a movie this is a full detail review and fact video about this movie if you want to know about this movie then you must like this video because in today's video we will tell you what is its story which actors and actresses have worked in this film the director producer cameraman of this film is going to talk about them in detail we will talk about the post-production pre-production budget and filming of this film The starcast of the film will also give details about The Supporting Cast and production guys if you want to know about this movie you must watch this video you will find all the details of this movie in this video what is the story of this movie If you like this video then share it with your friends and subscribe our Channel first kill is a 2017 American action thriller film directed by Steven C Miller and written by Nick Gordon the film stars Hayden Christensen and Bruce Willis Wall Street broker will Beeman Hayden Christensen has been struggling with being present for his wife Laura Megan Leonard and his son Danny Tai Shelton shortly after hearing of Dany being bullied at school will decides to take his family to his hometown Granville Ohio to bond with Dany upon entering Granville will is reacquainted with police chief Marvin Howell Bruce Willis a family friend who knew Will's father and at one point dated his his aunt Dy dub G girdler Howell advises will on taking precautions after Howell informs him of a recent bank robbery in which a couple of million dollars was stolen while teaching Dany how to hunt with a rifle will and Dany witness a heated exchange between two men one of them holding the other at gunpoint and inquiring after money a drop off not going according to plan the unarmed man gean Anthony is shot in the shoulder after he throws a key near Will's position at a shooting station Danny's shot gas but the shooting attracts the gunman's attention the gunman opens fire on Will's location and prompts will fearing for his son's safety to shoot him with his hunting rifle in self-defense upon inspecting the dead gunman he is surprised to discover a concealed badge which shows that the gunman was a police officer who failed to identify himself distraught well brings the wounded man to the family cabin for Laura a surgeon to provide first aid and hopefully to save the only other witness to the proceedings shortly after he is treated and bandaged up the man regains Consciousness takes Dany hostage at knife point and demands will to help him retrieve the discarded key in exchange for dany's Freedom while attempting to retrieve the key back at the Shooting Shack they are surprised by a uniformed officer Richie stuckle William demio who opens fire on Will and the gunman the gunman tells will to meet him at a bulletin board after he retrieves the key and he then abcon with Will's car and Son as hostage after an attempt at pursuing his son will learns from Howell that the gunman's name is Levy Barrett and that the deceased officer was Richie's brother Charlie shei Buckner will Waits until Nightfall to retrieve the key only to be confronted by Richie will successfully subdues Richie leaves him handcuffed to a tree and goes to the bulletin board for further instructions meanwhile Danny bonds with Levy and learns the reasons behind the bank robbery Howell and the stuckle brothers engineered The Heist and intended to use Levy as the guy Levy agreed to the heist to support financially Mabel F and Christine Dy the cancer-ridden mother of his girlfriend Adele Mai ailla Levy was supposed to drop off the stolen money at a drop site but suspecting that the cops would likely betray him he did not arrive for fear of the site being compromised with a potential assassin Howell also deduces Levy's predicament after a uniformed officer investigates Barrett's apartment Howell and will converge on Mabel's hospital bed and Howell questions Will's motiv ation for being there while Howell is distracted with a radio call by an officer will receives a map from Mabel that reveals the location of the post office Al which the stolen money was stashed and the location of an underground bunker at which to make the exchange for his son the key is used to unlock the mailbox containing the stolen cash will briefly eludes Howell but is caught again after he retrieves the money seemingly sympathetic to will situation Howell provides will transport to the bunker to apprehend Levy will gives the money to Levy and is reunited with Dany simultaneous to this reunion Richie kidnaps Laura from the family cabin and drives her to Howell's location for leverage of their own while attempting to flee Adele is murdered by Howell left with nothing to lose Levy attacks Howell and Richie only to be wounded will takes Dany to a hunter's Watchtower where Dany soon pushes a pursuing Richie off a high ladder to knock him out because of following good anti-bullying advice that Levy imparted to him previous while they bonded over computer games howwell holds Laura at gunpoint and threatens to shoot her if Will does not hand over the money desperate to help his parents Dany retrieves a pistol from the unconscious Richie and attempts to shoot Howell only for will to stop him in an attempt to taunt will Howell reveals himself as the one who murdered Will's father years earlier Levy distracts Howell while Laura ducks and provides will the opportunity to shoot Howell in the head during the aftermath Levy dies of his injuries much to dany's sadness Richie is questioned by the rest of the police department and Mabel is found dead on the hospital bed after she was murdered by howl by removing her life support system as the remaining non-corrupt officers boast on news media over the recovered loot the Beamon family relinquishes its hunting rifle and decides to return home to deal with its daily lives Bruce Willis goes bad in a movie that could hardly be mistaken for good playing a corrupt police chief mixed up in a bank robbery just how how many people has first kill star Bruce Willis killed over the course of his career according to a site called movieut accounts.com whose statistics look to be about as accurate as a saw off shotgun blast Willis has offed 116 adversaries to date a more accurate tally is best left to someone with an appetite for action and plenty of free time on their hands which just so happens to be the kind of person most likely to appreciate another generic collaboration between Willis and director Steven C Miller their third f extraction and Marauders with little to distinguish this VOD bound Lion's gate Premier release from so many straight to video Thrillers first kill offers the ever so slight novelty of casting Willis as the bad guy he plays a corrupt rural police chief named Howell who's courteous to the locals in small town gravel Ohio but not above murdering them if they get between him and the loot from a recent bank robbery Howl's crime might have gone undetected were it not for the arrival of Will Hayden Christensen a big City investment banker who happens to be hunting with his 11-year-old son Danny Tai Shelton when he stumbles upon their scheme dany's been having trouble with a bully at school and first kill is the roundabout story of how the kid finds the confidence to defend himself in that uniquely American NRA approved Way by learning how to handle a firearm dad goes out of his way to explain that Dany should never point the gun at another person but he doesn't set much of an example from the moment Father and Son stumble across what appears to be an execution in the woods it's shoot or be shot and while first kill ain't Willis's first Kill by any stretch it could well provide the kids a blue State version of the same movie might have followed Dany back to school where he takes the family rifle and opens fire on his aggressors but as far as first kill is concerned the best way to prevent gun violence is with more guns it's easy to understand why Miller would have wanted Willis for the role although he barely exploits the Stars Ry seen at all quality but Christensen comes as more of a surprise since he reads as a white collar Dandy someone who hardly seems tough enough to have grown up around guns and not at all the type who'd pull the trigger if his son was put in danger if anything the script by Nick Gordon might have done more with the idea that Will's masculinity is threatened when he finds himself called upon to protect his family Alis Sam peeka Straw Dogs instead will is depicted as a kind of super dad who will stop at nothing to get Dany back after the unexpectedly sympathetic bank robber GE Anthony kidnaps the boy and in so doing solved the mystery of what happened to his father years before frankly it forced to bet between John mlan and Anakin Skywalker I take the dieh hard tough guy every time but that's just the underdog Factor Miller is going for staging a reasonably entertaining series of off-road chases and backward shootouts on route to that final confrontation the movie's tough love message if Dany can manage to get through the experience alive it'll take a lot more than a bully to intimidate him next time first kill marks the third collaboration between director Steven C Miller and Bruce Willis but their efforts are not likely to enter the pantheon of such previous cinematic teams as Alfred Hitchcock and Jimmy Stewart or John Ford and John Wayne produced by the Appley named grindstone entertainment the film much like its Miller Willy's predecessors extraction and Marauders is strictly Grindhouse level if grind houses still existed their modern-day equivalent VOD will be the natural home for this mediocre Thriller receiving a limited theatrical release as with most of his recent Vehicles Willis here plays a supporting part Hayden Christensen plays the central role of will a hot shot investment banker whose importance is signaled in an early scene when he exasperatedly asks his assistant did the meeting with the Saudis get moved to today not surprisingly Will's home life has suffered due to his workaholic ways when he discovers that his 11-year-old son Danny Tai Shelton has been bullied at school he decides es to take his family to the small town where he grew up so that he can teach his boy how to hunt in an effort to give him confidence using the same rifle that his grandfather gave him will take stany on a deer hunting Expedition but father and son get more than they bargained for when they encounter a pair of criminals and will winds up having to shoot one of them in self-defense it turns out that the duo was involved a recent bank robbery and the surviving one Levi Geth and Anthony winds up kidnapping Dany to force will to help him find the key to a bank vault that contains $2 million in loot to complicate the situation even further the local police chief Willis who's known will since he was a boy becomes suspicious of Will's actions after his boy is taken the two men are soon involved in a twisty cat and mouse game even while Dany bonds with his captor over their shared love of video games Levy it's soon revealed isn't really a bad guy just a desperate one trying to get the money to pay for an operation to remove his mother-in-law's lb tumor yes the screenplay by Nick Gordon gets that Baroque more reminiscent of a broadcast network crime drama episode than a feature film The generically titled first kill feature is one decent chase scene involving a pickup truck an ATV barreling through the woods and a suspenseful gun stand off near its conclusion otherwise it's all pretty tedious with Miller failing to infuse the proceedings with the stylistic flare necessary to compensate for the cliche ridden plotline whose twists can be seen a mile away Christensen who's been unable to capitalize on the buzz over his acclaimed performance in shattered glass at least goes through his Paces with professionalism the same camp be set of Willis who turns in yet another phonet in performance that makes one yearn for the actor to hark back to the sort of superb character work he did in such films as in country and nobody's fool the best performance on display here comes from Anthony a British actor who displays both a credible southern accent and an entertaining relish for his intriguing character it's the one genuine pleasure in this otherwise forgettable genre exercise there has been much written about this film in the negative but this film has many good qualities if one looks closely much to the credit of the director this film was made in 13 days that is incredible the acting of the boy Dany Tai Shelton an unknown has a career ahead of him Danny's relationship with Levy G ethic Anthony is very well acted out on screen Anthony is British and does very well with his screen Accent take note of the work off simatra art Direction out of very little material to work with and the subtle choice of costume director with a spot of red used in Danny's clothes which pops out on screen the music score is to pay attention to especially at the end when there is the summation of the story with only the music finally what a pro Willis is he did all his scenes pages of dialogue all in 12 hours of shooting yes the story is not terrific but for Hollywood film making today there is much to observe in this film and to the credit of director Mr Miller check it out and look for what listed to notice if you've been wondering where Anakin Skywalker and John mlan have been look no further than Granville Ohio apparently mlan is now a sheriff in the Small Town East of Columbus and has recently run into successful stock brocker Skywalker and his wife and son as he returns to his roots for a family trip away from the big city what I'm getting at is it's kind of hard not to think of the two characters Hayden Christensen and Bruce Willis are best best known for while watching the mostly Bland and predictable action thriller first kill the generic title is a good indication whether or not this movie is worth your time the latest from B movie director Steven C Miller who has made a name for himself making VOD crap populated by a repeat assembly of actors kill list isn't putrid like Miller's Arsenal from earlier this year but it certainly doesn't hold up well overall unfortunately Willis has popped up in two of Miller's previous awful action flicks extraction and Marauders these movies may get a theatrical release and if they do it'll be one maybe two Suburban theaters at the same time they're released on VOD each time Willis looks tired and bored which is too bad but let's face it the last good roles he had was in Ryan Johnson's Looper and in Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom both released in 2012 since then Willis hasn't been picky but most of his movies have been hard to find for reasons just mentioned on the flip side christenson's post Star Wars movies have mostly been unmemorable in fact most people would be hardpressed to list off his movies after Revenge of the Sith maybe he doesn't have alamon payments at a loss as to what these two actors saw in the screenplay from Nick Gordon but it certainly wasn't much to work with the fact that they said yes and committed to it is a reminder that sometimes acting is just like any other job sometimes you just show up and go through the motions Miller shot first kill in 13 days which is impressive but then again it's not too surprising since there's not much to it as stated above Christensen plays a stock brocker named will who works in downtown Columbus Ohio it's a part written as a typical preoccupied stressed out corporate exec and our intro to the character doesn't give us much more Beyond such a stereotypical characterization whenw Will's do wife Lori Megan Leonard calls to let him know that their 11-year-old son Danny newcomer Tai Shelton was physically bullied at school once again he seems bothered by such new news and eventually picks his son up from school after some boning real nice will decides to take the whole family for a trip to his hometown hoping his son's first hunting trip will bond them and toughen him up the first person they meet in town is Sheriff Howell Willis who knew Will's parents and gives him a welcome back greeting and a warning to be cautious due to some Bank activity in town recently much to Lor's dismay will teach his Danny how to handle maintain and shoot again stressing safety safety safety but instead of catching a white tail out in the woods the pair stumble upon a heated exchange between two guys in the near distance we'll spots them first and tries to hide both himself and Dany on the other side of a barn yet still withing ey shot of these two figures one of which is pointing a gun and shouting at the other one the gun toting guy tosses a key that lands right near Danny's footsteps and as they Peak to look what happens next the other guy pulls out a gun and shoots injuring the guy who just tossed the key realizing that they're in a dire situation here and figuring these guys are probably criminals will redse his hunting rifle for protection telling Dany to stay put but once the shooter hears some activity over by the barn Dany Freaks and runs leaving will with no choice but to fatally gun him down in self-defense upon closer look will notices that the dead guy is wearing a badge will later learn this is a local cop named Charlie she Buckner Marauders and realizes there's more going on here knowing the other guy is still alive but injured will and take the criminal with them back to their aunt's cabin so Lori can attend the guy's wound Lori is understandably confused and even more so when she learns that her husband has shot a cop after treating the wound Lori leaves to get help and by the time she returns will Dany and the injured guy she just treated are peeling off in an SUV while she was gone the injured guy Levy Geth and Anthony Game of Thrones awakens and holds a curious Dany hostage stating he only wants the key obviously the key leads to the money the two guys were shouting over which is related to a recent bank robbery gone arai sinell knows where the key is as well he persuades Levy that they'll all go what no note for the wife gez things get even more complicated both the situation and the plot over complicated and convoluted in the case of the plot when another cop Richie William demio overacting out of left field with a bronx accent starts firing shots as will leads Levy to the location while Dany remains in the vehicle more shots are fired confusion mounts Levy panics and takes off with Dany and toe up until now the action sequences had some emotional resonance to them which is not something one would expect from a be movie straight to VOD flick you can feel the alarm in that initial encounter with the two shouting guys in the rain and what transpires immediately involving the TOs key but once Ley takes off with Dany it's inexplicable how christenson's will go stock brocker to Outdoors Man of Action mean no this is and Heist gone wrong action flick but even an attempt and believable characterization would have helped instead an ATV and SUV Chase kicks off a descent into tedious action sequences it just so happens that two adiv are parked on a Gravel Road in the forest so will and Richie can hop on them and pursue Levy please eventually Willis tired Sheriff Howell gets involved hinting at how he just knew he'd run into will again and from here on out becomes even more implausible and bogged down with ir rolling exposition since first kill starts off with a father training his son on the masculinity it would have been interesting to see that topic tested on a more mental or psychological level here what if Dany isn't into killing another being then how does will approach bonding and training his son where does masculinity come to play in all of the male characters in the film but Gordon's screenplay isn't having any of that kind of development or introspection Christensen is just fine despite the tired Trope of a father trying to get his son back but it's surprisingly the scenes between Anthony's Levy and Shelton's Dany that provide something that rises above the typical be movie conventions were used to Anthony who successfully discards his own British accent for the role of the blue collar misanthro actually has a bit more to work with here there's a good reason Levy's gotten involved in this Heist and it has very little to do Criminal Intent he knows he's against insurmountable odds and that he's put a father and son in Jeopardy unintentionally so in the scenes between Levy and Dany we see Levy try to connect with him and it works thanks to both actors playing their roles with unexpected dimensions and intuitiveness again it's rare to see such performances pop up in what we expect is going to be by the Numbers action as for Willis if you've been paying attention to his career path lately it's no surprise to see him show up in such be movie schlock but it's still sad since we know what he's capable of the twist involving his Sheriff character may be predictable yet it's also unearned not offering Willis much wonder how many of those 13 days Willis was in Ohio for not sure what audience first kill is for if you're an absolutely devout fan of either of the two leads I guess this is for you if you're at all curious wait for this to show up on basic cable there was potential and some interesting Concepts that could have been explored but not with this screenwriter and director my bad as neither of them thought that the standout would be the kidnapper and the kid as of November 11th 2022 first kill gross 300 4795 in the United Arab Emirates turkey Portugal South Africa Argentina Uruguay and Paraguay on a budget of $10 million Levy is driving the pickup truck on dirt paths in the woods will is chasing him on an ATV there's a split on the path and the truck takes the left Fork which Slants downhill the ATV goes to the right which leads uphill when the truck is seen again it is traveling across the screen from right to left directly in in front of the ATV there was no chance for the truck to get to the opposite side of the ATV when Will's character jumps on the ATV to chase the pickup truck with his son in it his shirt hikes up and reveals a lower back tattoo that was not present in the prior scene the Sheriff Deputy yanked one hand out of the Cuffs but a bit later both of his hands were free of cuffs which would be unrealistic both because of the difficulty and because if one hand is out there is no need to damage the other one by pulling it out when will was teaching done Danny how to fire his rifle he was careful to explain that the safety was on when he gave the weapon to Dany but the boy aimed it at the tin can targets and fired it anyway without visibly switching off the safety although it had rained earlier none of the uncovered papers on the bulletin board in front of ears showed signs of having been touched by the rain towards the end of the movie Levy shoots more than 24 Shots from his handgun without running out of bullets or changing Clips Doty and the other Deputy pull up to see the sheriff with a gunshot wound to his head and Levy's dead body and the deputy just assumes that it was a legit kill and doesn't attempt to even disarm Billy although the characters involved in law enforcement are referred to as police the color of their uniforms is that of Sheriff's the village of Granville Ohio where this movie was said to have taken place has a police department with navy blue uniforms when will shoots Howell he has his eyebrow pressed firmly against the lens of the rifle scope The Recoil would slam the gun into him causing an extremely painful injury and a laceration that he would be unable to ignore and that would be easily visible Laura is gagged but can still scream and talk with the gag in also her hands are tied in front of her so she could easily pull the gag down at any time but doesn't Peterson contacts Howell over the radio to tell him that they found Charlie shell casings at different locations but this is something that would have been communicated to Howell immediately earlier in the day not at night as if it was just discovered since in the previous scene will went back that there were no more cops on the scene except Richie when Dany hits Richie in the forehead hard enough to knock him semiconscious and off of the ladder there is no dirt or mark on Richie's forehead when he hits the ground also Richie has to have the slowest reflexes in the world to stand there and stare at Dany for a few seconds without flinching or moving to avoid getting hit in the head after having been kidnapped and seeing his mom with a gun to her head tied up and gagged the first thing Dany does when Howell is shot is run to Levy to check on on him instead of his own mom although Levy has a significant Head Start and is driving a truck will and Richie catch up to him win a few seconds on ad's the deputy that was handcuffed to the tree could have tried to move up the branch and either slip his hands off of the branch or use his weight to break the branch and get free but instead decided to rip his hand out of the cuff when Levy throws the key before getting shot and when will picks up the key a jingling sound is heard but the key was by itself and not even on a key ring so there is nothing for it to hit in order to make that sound the Sheriff Deputy lets out the same scream when he has a flashlight shined in his eye as he does when he busts his hand punching the call and ripping his hands out of handcuffs Laura is going to use the hook and pliers to remove the bullet from Levy's shoulder except when dropping them in the boiling water to disinfect them she doesn't open the pliers the inside of the pliers would need to be disinfected too which is common sense and as a surgeon or anyone w/ common sense about this sort of thing she would know that the scene with Howell sitting in the diner as another cop comes in to speak with him appears to use a body double when filming Howell from behind and that body double not only doesn't have the same hair pattern as howl shaved head versus balding but he might even be a different ethnicity noticeably darker first kill 2017 is a gripping action thriller that takes viewers on a tense ride filled with moral dilemmas intense confrontations and unexpected twists directed by Steven C Miller and starring Hayden Christensen and Bruce Willis the film explores themes of family loyalty the consequences of violence and the complexity of Justice the ending of first kill leaves audiences with much to ponder as it wraps up a story that is as much about personal Redemption as it is about survival in this article we will dive deep into the film's ending unraveling its significance and exploring the layers of meaning hidden within its final scenes before we delve into the ending it is essential to understand the film's premise first kill follows the story of will Beaman Hayden Christensen a successful Wall Street broker who decides to reconnect with his son Dany by taking him on a hunting trip to his hometown what begins as a peaceful Father's son bonding experience quickly spiral into chaos when they witness a man being shot during a bank robbery gone wrong in an attempt to save the injured man Levy Barrett Geth and Anthony will unwittingly becomes entangled in a web of crime and deception as the plot un old we learn that Levy is part of a gang that robbed a bank and he is being pursued by the town's corrupt police chief Marvin Howell Bruce Willis when Danny is kidnapped by Levy's accomplice will is forced into a perilous situation where he must retrieve the stolen money to save his son this sets the stage for a series of intense confrontations that ultimately lead to the film's climactic ending will Bean is a character torn between his professional life and his desire to be a good father his decision to take Danny on a hunting trip stems from his guilt over not spending enough time with his family however the trip turns into a nightmare when Will finds himself caught in the middle of a criminal operation throughout the film will struggles with his own morality as he is forced to make difficult decisions to protect his son Will's character Arc is Central to the film's narrative initially he is portrayed as a man who relies on his wealth and status to navigate life but as the story progresses will is stripped of these privileges and must rely on his instincts and determination to survive this transformation is crucial to understanding the film's ending as it highlights Will's Journey from a complacent father to a man willing to risk everything for his family Levy Barrett is a complex antagonist whose motivations are revealed gradually throughout the film at first glance Levy appears to be a ruthless criminal but as the story unfolds we learn that his actions are driven by desperation Levy is not just a villain he is a man who has been pushed to the brink by circumstances Beyond his control Levy's relationship with Will is one of the most intriguing aspects of first kill although they are on opposite sides of the law they share a common goal survival Levy's desperation to retrieve the stolen money and Will's desperation to save his son create a tense Dynamic that drives the film's plot forward in the end Levy's fate is a poignant reminder of the tragic consequences of his choices adding depth to the film's conclusion the kidnapping of Dany is the Catalyst for for the film's climax when Levy's accomplice takes Danny hostage will is thrust into a situation where he must navigate a dangerous game of cat and mouse the kidnapping is not just a plot device it is a moment that forces will to confront his deepest fears and question his own values throughout the film Danny's safety is a constant source of tension and his kidnapping serves to heighten the stakes Will's determination to save his son at all costs leads him down a path of violence and moral compromise this is where the film themes of fatherhood and sacrifice come into play as will is forced to re-evaluate what it means to be a protector and a parent one of the most compelling aspects of first kill is the moral dilemma faced by wi beiman as he becomes more entangled in the criminal underworld will is forced to make choices that challenge his sense of right and wrong the film presents these dilemmas in a way that forces the audience to consider the consequences of Will's actions for instance when will decides to help Levy in exchange for his son's saf he is effectively making a deal with the devil this decision is not made lightly and the film takes care to show the toll it takes on will the moral ambiguity of this choice is a key element of the film's ending as it raises questions about the lengths one should go to protect their loved ones the climax of first kill is a tense and action-packed sequence that brings all the film's conflicts to a head in this scene will confront Chief Howell and his corrupt deputies in a final showdown that will determine the fate of his son the the confrontation is not just a physical battle it is a moral one as well as forced to confront the man who embodies everything he despises Chief Howell's character represents the corrupting influence of power and greed his pursuit of the stolen money is driven by self-interest and he is willing to sacrifice anyone who gets in his way in contrast Will's actions are motivated by love and a desire to protect his family this contrast is what makes the climactic confrontation so compelling as it pits two opposing forces against each other in a battle for survival just when it seems like all hope is lost the film delivers a final twist that changes everything Levy who has been portrayed as a ruthless criminal throughout the film makes a surprising choice that redeems his character in a moment of self-sacrifice Levy decides to help will save his son even if it means risking his own life this twist is significant because it adds a layer of complexity to Levy's character it shows that despite his flaws Levy is capable of redemption his decision to help will is a turning point in the film as it shifts the balance of power and allows will to finally defeat Chief Howell The Twist also reinforces the film's theme of redemption as it shows that even the most morally compromised characters can find a path to Salvation the ending of first kill is Bittersweet although Will succeeds in Saving his son and defeating Chief Howell the victory comes at a cost the final scenes of the film show will and Dany walking away from the scene of the confrontation visibly shaken by the events that have transpired there is no celebration no triumphant music only the somber realization that their lives have been forever changed the ending is a reflection of the film's central theme the consequences of violence while W's actions have saved his son they have also left a lasting impact on his psyche the film does not shy away from showing the emotional toll of the events leaving the audience to Grapple with the moral complexities of the story the ending of first kill is significant because it challenges the traditional notion of a happy ending while the immediate threat has been neutralized the characters are left to deal with the aftermath of their actions the film's conclusion is a reminder that violence has far-reaching consequences and that the cost of survival is often higher than we realize moreover the ending highlights the film's exploration of moral ambiguity Will's journey is not a straightforward one and the film's conclusion reflects this complexity by leaving the audience with unanswered questions s first kill encourages viewers to reflect on the choices made by the characters and the ethical implications of those choices first kill 2017 leaves viewers with a conclusion that is as nuanced as it is impactful refusing to offer easy answers or a tidy resolution the film's ending is a powerful meditation on the complexity of human nature the burdens of fatherhood and the gray areas that often Define moral decisions as W Beeman emerges from his harrowing ordeal we see a man who has been been irrevocably changed not just by the violence he has witnessed and participated in but by the moral compromises he has been forced to make the film asks us to consider the true cost of survival and protection and whether the ends truly justify the means Will's Victory though it saves his son is tinged with sorrow and the weight of irreversible choices the tension between Justice and survival love and violence Redemption and Damnation runs deep in the film's final moments leaving the audience to Grapple with the profound questions it raises in the end first kill is not just a story about a man protecting his family it is a stark reminder that the lines between hero and villain right and wrong are often blurred and the consequences of our actions can linger far beyond the moment of decision the film's conclusion therefore is not just the end of Will's Journey it is the beginning of a new reality for him and his son one where the Shadows of the past will always Loom large first kill is a 2017 American action thriller film directed Ed by Steven C Miller and written by Nick Gordon the film stars Hayden Christensen and Bruce Willis Wall Street broker will Bean Hayden Christensen has been struggling with being present for his wife Laura Megan Leonard and his son Danny Tai Shelton shortly after hearing of Dany being bullied at school will decides to take his family to his hometown Granville Ohio to bond with Dany upon entering Granville will is reacquainted with police chief Marvin Howell Bruce Willis a family friend who new's father and at one point dated his aunt Dy dub G girdler Howell advises will on taking precautions after Howell informs him of a recent bank robbery in which a couple of million dollars was stolen while teaching Dany how to hunt with a rifle will and Dany witness a heated exchange between two men one of them holding the other at gunpoint and inquiring after money a drop off not going according to plan the unarmed man gethin Anthony is shot in the shoulder after he throws a key near Will's position at a shooting station Danny's shocked gas but the shooting attracts the gunman's attention the gunman opens fire on Will's location and promps will fearing for his son's safety to shoot him with his hunting rifle in self-defense upon inspecting the dead gunman he is surprised to discover a concealed badge which shows that the gunman was a police officer who failed to identify himself distraught well brings the wounded man to the family cabin for Laura a surgeon to provide first aid and hopefully to save the only other witness to the proceedings shortly after he is treated and bandaged up the man regains Consciousness takes Dany hostage at knife point and demands will to help him retrieve the discarded key in exchange for dany's Freedom while attempting to retrieve the key back at the Shooting Shack they are surprised by a uniformed officer Richie stuckle William demio who opens fire on Will and the gunman the gunman tells will to meet him at a bulletin board after he retrieves the key and he then abcon with Will's car and son as hostage after an attempt at pursuing his son will learns from Howell that the gunman's name is Levy Barrett and that the deceased officer was Richie's brother Charlie she Buckner will Waits until Nightfall to retrieve the key only to be confronted by Richie will successfully subdues Richie leaves him handcuffed to a tree and goes to the bulletin board for further instructions meanwhile Danny bonds with Levy and learns the reasons behind the bank robbery Howell and the stuckle brothers engineered the Heist and intended to use Levy as the Fall Guy Levy agreed to the heist to support financially Mabel fch and Christine D the cancer ritten mother of his girlfriend Adele Mai a villa Levy was supposed to drop off the stolen money at a drop site but suspecting that the cops would likely betray him he did not arrive for fear of the site being compromised with a potential assassin Howell also deduces Levy's predicament after a uniformed officer investigates Barrett's apartment Howell and will converge on Mabel's Hospital hital bed and Howell questions Will's motivation for being there while Howell is distracted with a radio call by an officer will receives a map from Mabel that reveals the location of the post office Al which the stolen money was stashed and the location of an underground bunker at which to make the exchange for his son the key is used to unlock the mailbox containing the stolen cash will briefly eludes Howell but is caught again after he retrieves the money seemingly sympathetic to will situation Howell provides will trans port to the bunker to apprehend Levy will gives the money to Levy and is reunited with Dany simultaneous to this reunion Richie kidnaps Laura from the family cabin and drives her to Howell's location for leverage of their own while attempting to flee Adele is murdered by howl left with nothing to lose Levy attacks Howell and Richie only to be wounded will takes Dany to a hunter's Watchtower where Dany soon pushes a pursuing Richie off a high ladder to knock him out because of following good anti-bullying advice that Levy imparted to him previously while they bonded over computer games Howell holds Laura at gunpoint and threatens to shoot her if Will does not hand over the money desperate to help his parents Dany retrieves a pistol from the unconscious Richie and attempts to shoot Howell only for will to stop him in an attempt to taunt will Howell reveals himself as the one who murdered Will's father years earlier Levy distracts Howell while Laura ducks and provides will the opportunity to shoot Howell in the head during the aftermath Levy dies of his injuries much to dany's sadness Richie is questioned by the rest of the police department and Mabel is found dead on the hospital bed after she was murdered by Howell by removing her life support system as the remaining non-corrupt officers boast on news media over the recovered loot the bean family relinquishes its hunting rifle and decides to return home to deal with its daily lives Bruce Willis goes bad in a movie that could hardly be mistaken for good playing a corrupt police chief mixed up in a bank robbery just how many people has first killed star Bruce Willis killed over the course of his career according to a site called movie butac accounts.com whose statistics look to be about as accurate as a saw off shotgun blast Willis has offed 116 adversaries to date a more accurate tally is best left to someone with an appetite for action and plenty of free time on their hands which just so happens to be the kind of person most likely to appreciate another generic collaboration between Willis and director Steven C Miller their third following extraction and Marauders with little to distinguish this VOD bound Lionsgate Premier release from so many straight to video Thrillers first kill offers the ever so slight novelty of casting Willis as the bad guy he plays a corrupt rural police chief named Howell who's courteous to the locals in small town gravel Ohio but not above murdering them if they get between him and the loot from a recent bank robbery Howell's crime might have gone undetected were it not for the AR of Will Hayden Christensen a big city investment banker who happens to be hunting with his 11-year-old son Danny Tai Shelton when he stumbles upon their scheme dany's been having trouble with a bully at school and first kill is the roundabout story of how the kid finds the confidence to defend himself in that uniquely American NRA approved Way by learning how to handle a firearm dad goes out of his way to explain that Danny should never point the gun at another person but he doesn't set much of an example from the moment father and Sun stumble across what appears to be an execution in the woods it's shoot or be shot and while first kill ain't Willis first Kill by any stretch it could well provide the kids a blue State version of the same movie might have followed Dany back to school where he takes the family rifle and opens fire on his aggressors but as far as first kill is concerned the best way to prevent gun violence is with more guns it's easy to understand why Miller would have wanted Willis for the role although he barely exploits the Stars Ry seen at all quality but Christensen comes as more of a surprise since he reads as a white collar Dandy someone who hardly seems tough enough to have grown up around guns and not at all the type who'd pull the trigger if his son was put in danger if anything the script by Nick Gordon might have done more with the idea that Will's masculinity is threatened when he finds himself called upon to protect his family Alis Sam peeka Straw Dogs instead will is depicted as a kind of super dad who will stop at nothing to get Dany back after the UN expectedly sympathetic bank robber Geth and Anthony kidnaps the boy and in so doing solve the mystery of what happened to his father years before frankly if forced to bet between John mlan and Anakin Skywalker I take the diard tough guy every time but that's just the underdog Factor Miller is going for staging a reasonably entertaining series of off-road chases and backward shootouts on route to that final confrontation the movie's tough love message if Dany can manage to get through the experience alive it'll take a lot more than a bully to intimidate him next time first kill marks the third collaboration between director Steven C Miller and Bruce Willis but their efforts are not likely to enter the pantheon of such previous cinematic teams as Alfred Hitchcock and Jimmy Stewart or John Ford and John Wayne produced by the aptly named grindstone entertainment the film much like its Miller Wily's predecessors extraction and Marauders is strictly Grindhouse level if grind houses still existed their modern-day equivalent VOD will be the natural home for this mediocre Thriller receiving a limited theatrical release as with most of his recent Vehicles Willis here plays a supporting part Hayden Christensen plays the central role of will a hot shot investment banker whose importance is signaled in an early scene when he exasperatedly asks his assistant did the meeting with the Saudis get moved to today not surprisingly Wills home life has suffered due to his workaholic ways when he discovers that his 11-year-old son Danny Tai Shel has been bullied at school he decides to take his family to the small town where he grew up so that he can teach his boy how to hunt in an effort to give him confidence using the same rifle that his grandfather gave him will take stany on a deer hunting Expedition but father and son get more than they bargained for when they encounter a pair of criminals and will winds up having to shoot one of them in self-defense it turns out that the duo was involved a recent bank robbery and the surviving one Levi Geth and Anthony winds up kidnapping Danny to force will to help him find the key to a bank vault that contains $2 million in loot to complicate the situation even further the local police chief Willis who's known will since he was a boy becomes suspicious of Will's actions after his boy is taken the two men are soon involved in a twisty cat and mouse game even while Dany bonds with his captor over their shared love of video games Levy it's soon revealed isn't really a bad guy just a desperate one trying to get the money to pay for an operation to remove his mother-in-law's 80lb tumor yes the screenplay by Nick Gordon gets that Baro more reminiscent of a broadcast network crime drama episode than a feature film The generically titled first kill features one decent chase scene involving a pickup truck and ATV barreling through the woods and a suspenseful gun standof near its conclusion otherwise it's all pretty tedious with Miller failing to infuse the proceedings with the stylistic flare necessary to compensate for the cliche ridden plotline who twists can be seen a mile away Christensen who's been unable to capitalize on the buzz over his acclaimed performance in shattered glass at least goes through his Paces with professionalism the same can't be said of Willis who turns in yet another phone at in performance that makes one yearn for the actor to hark back to the sort of superb character work he did in such films as in country and nobody's fool the best performance on display here comes from Anthony a British actor who displays both a credible southern accent and an enter entertaining relish for his intriguing character it's the one genuine pleasure in this otherwise forgettable genre exercise there has been much written about this film in the negative but this film has many good qualities if one looks closely much to the credit of the director this film was made in 13 days that is incredible the acting of the boy Danny Tai Shelton and unknown has a career ahead of him Danny's relationship with Levy G ethic Anthony is very well acted out on screen Anthony is British and does very well well with his screen Accent take note of the work off simatra art Direction out of very little material to work with and the subtle choice of costume director with a spot of red used in Danny's clothes which pops out on screen the music score is to pay attention to especially at the end when there is the summation of the story with only the music finally what a pro Willis is he did all his scenes pages of dialogue all in 12 hours of shooting yes the story is not terrific but for Hollywood film making today there is much to observe in this film and to the credit of director Mr Miller check it out and look for what listed to notice if you've been wondering where Anakin Skywalker and John mlan have been look no further than Granville Ohio apparently mlan is now a sheriff in the Small Town East of Columbus and has recently run into successful stock brocker Skywalker and his wife and son as he returns to his roots for a family trip away from the big city what I'm getting at is it's kind of hard not to think of the two characters Hayden Christensen and Bruce Willis are best known for while watching the mostly Bland and predictable action thriller first kill the generic title is a good indication whether or not this movie is worth your time the latest from B movie director Steven C Miller who has made a name for himself making VOD crap populated by a repeat assembly of actors kill list isn't putrid like Miller's Arsenal from earlier this year but it certainly doesn't hold up well overall unfortunately Willis has popped up in two of Miller's previous awful action flicks extraction and Marauders these movies may get a theatrical release and if they do it'll be one maybe two Suburban theaters at the same time they're released on VOD each time Willis looks tired and bored which is too bad but let's face it the last good roles he had was in Ryan Johnson's Looper and in Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom both released in 2012 since then Willis hasn't been picky but most of his movies have been hard to find for reasons just mentioned on the flip side christenson's post Star Wars movies have mostly been unmemorable in fact most people would be hardpressed to list off his movies after Revenge of the Sith maybe he doesn't have alamon payments at a loss as to what these two actors saw in the screenplay from Nick Gordon but it certainly wasn't much to work with the fact that they said yes and committed to it is a reminder that sometimes acting is just like any other job sometimes you just show up and go through the motions Miller shot first kill in 13 days which which is impressive but then again it's not too surprising since there's not much to it as stated above Christensen plays a stock brocker named will who works in downtown Columbus Ohio it's a part written as a typical preoccupied stressed out corporate exec and our intro to the character doesn't give us much more Beyond such a stereotypical characterization wiw's Dr wife Lori Megan Leonard calls to let him know that their 11-year-old son Danny newcomer Tai Shelton was physically bullied at school once again he seems bothered by such news and eventually picks his son up from school after some bemoaning real nice we'll decides to take the whole family for a trip to his hometown hoping his son's first hunting trip will bond them and toughen him up the first person they meet in town is Sheriff Howell Willis who knew Will's parents and gives him a welcome back greeting and a warning to be cautious due to some Bank activity in town recently much to Lor's dismay will teaches Dany how to handle maintain and shoot again stressing safety safety safety but instead of catching a white tail out in the woods the pair stumble upon a heated exchange between two guys in the near distance will spots them first and tries to hide both himself and Dany on the other side of a barn yet still withing I shot of these two figures one of which is pointing a gun and shouting at the other one the gun toting guy tosses a key that lands right near Danny's footsteps and as they peek to look what happens next the other guy pulls out a gun and shoots injuring the guy who just tossed the key realizing that they're in a dire situation here and figuring these guys are probably criminals will reuse his hunting rifle for protection telling Dany to stay put but once the shooter hears some activity over by the barn Dany Freaks and runs leaving will with no choice but to fatally gun him down in self-defense upon closer look will notices that the dead guy is wearing a badge will later learn this is a local cop named Charlie she Buckner Marauders and realizes there's more going on here knowing the other guy is still alive but injured will and Dany take the criminal with them back to their aunt's cabin so Lori can attend the guy's wound Lori is understandably confused and even more so when she learns that her husband has shot a cop after treating the wound Lori leaves to get help and by the time she returns will Dany and the injured guy she just treated are peeling off in an SUV while she was gone the injured guy Levy Geth and Anthony Game of Thrones awakens and holds a curious Dany hostage stating he only wants the key obviously the key leads to the money the two guys were shouting over which is related to a recent bank robbery gone arai since will knows where the key is as well he persuades Levy that they'll all go what no note for the wife gez things get even more complicated both the situation and the plot over complicated and convoluted in the case of the plot when another cop Richie William demio overacting out of left field with a bronx accent starts firing shots as will leads Levy to thecal location while Dany remains in the vehicle more shots are fired confusion mounts Levy panics and takes off with Dany and toe up until now the action sequences had some emotional resonance to them which is not something one would expect from a be movie straight to VOD flick you can feel the alarm in that initial encounter with the two shouting guys in the rain and what transpires immediately involving the TOs key but once leevy takes off with Dany it's inexplicable how christenson's will go stock brocker to Outdoors Man of Action mean no this is an Heist gone wrong action flick but even an attempt and believable characterization would have helped instead an ATV and SUV Chase kicks off a descent into tedious action sequences it just so happens that two ads are parked on a Gravel Road in the forest so will and Richie can hop on them and pursue Levy please eventually Willis tired Sheriff Howell gets involved hinting at how he just knew he'd run into will again and from here on out becomes even more implausible and log down with ir rolling Exposition since first kill starts off with a father training his son on the masculinity it would have been interesting to see that topic tested on a more mental or psychological level here what if Dany isn't into killing another being then how does will approach bonding and training his son where does masculinity come to play in all of the male characters in the film but Gordon's screenplay isn't having any of that kind of development or introspection Christensen is just fine despite the tired Trope of a father trying to get his son back but it's surprisingly the scenes between Anthony's Levy and Shelton's Dany that provide something that rises above the typical B movie conventions were used to Anthony who successfully discards his own British accent for the role of the blue collar misanthrop actually has a bit more to work with here there's a good reason Lev's gotten involved in this Heist and it has very little to do Criminal Intent he knows he's against insurmountable odds and that he's put a father and son in Jeopardy unintentionally so in the scenes between Levy and Dany we see Levy try to connect with him and it works thanks to both actors playing their roles with unexpected dimensions and intuitiveness again it's rare to see such performances pop up in what we expect is going to be by the Numbers action as for Willis if you've been paying attention to his career path lately it's no surprise to see him show up in such be movie schlock but it's still sad since we know what he's capable of the twist involving his Sheriff character may be predictable yet it's also unearned not offering Willis much wonder how many of those 13 days Willis was in Ohio for not sure what audience first kill is for if you're an absolutely devout fan of either of the two leads I guess this is for you if you're at all curious wait for this to show up on basic cable there was potential and some interesting Concepts that could have been explored but not with this screenwriter and director my bad is neither of them thought that the standout would be the kidnapper and the kid as of November 11th 201 22 first kill grossed $347 andon 95 in the United Arab Emirates turkey Portugal South Africa Argentina Uruguay and Paraguay on a budget of $10 million Levy is driving the pickup truck on dirt paths in the woods will is chasing him on an ATV there's a split on the path and the truck takes the left Fork which Slants downhill the ATV goes to the right which leads uphill when the truck is seen again it is traveling across the screen from right to left directly in front of the ATV there was no chance for the truck to get to the opposite side of the ATV when Will's character jumps on the ATV to chase the pickup truck with his son in it his shirt hikes up and reveals a lower back tattoo that was not present in the prior scene the Sheriff Deputy yanked one hand out of the Cuffs but a bit later both of his hands were free of cuffs which would be unrealistic both because of the difficulty and because if one hand is out there is no need to damage the other one by pulling it out when will was teaching son Dany how to fire his rifle he was careful to explain that the safety was on when he gave the weapon to Dany but the boy aimed it at the tin can targets and fired it anyway without visibly switching off the safety although it had rained earlier none of the uncovered papers on the bulletin board in front of Earls showed signs of having been touched by the rain towards the end of the movie Levy shoots more than 24 Shots from his handgun without running out of bullets or changing Clips Doty and the other Deputy pull up to see the sheriff with a gunshot wound to his head and Levy's dead body and the deputy just assumes that it was a legit kill and doesn't attempt to even disarm Billy although the characters involved in law enforcement are referred to as police the color of their uniforms is that of Sheriff's the village of Granville Ohio where this movie was said to have taken place has a police department with navy blue uniforms when will shoots Howell he has his eyebrow pressed firmly against the lens of the rifle scope The Recoil would slam the gun into him causing an extremely painful injury and a laceration that he would be unable to ignore and that would be easily visible Laura is gagged but can still scream and talk with the gag in also her hands are tied in front of her so she could easily pull the gag down at any time but doesn't Peterson contacts Howell over the radio to tell him that they found Charlie shell casings at different locations but this is something that would have been communicated to Howell immediately earlier in the day not at night as if it was just discovered in the previous scene will went back that there were no more cops on the scene except Richie when Dany hits Richie in the forehead hard enough to knock him semiconscious and off of the ladder there is no dirt or mark on Richie's forehead when he hits the ground also Richie has to have the slowest reflexes in the world to stand there and stare at Dany for a few seconds without flinching or moving to avoid getting hit in the head after having been kidnapped and seeing his mom with a gun to her head tied up and gagged the first thing Dany does when when Howell is shot is run to Levy to check on him instead of his own mom although Levy has a significant Head Start and is driving a truck will and Richie catch up to him win a few seconds on adie's the deputy that was handcuffed to the tree could have tried to move up the branch and either slip his hands off of the branch or use his weight to break the branch and get free but instead decided to rip his hand out of the cuff when Levy throws the key before getting shot and when will picks up the key a jingling sound is heard but the key was by by itself and not even on a key ring so there is nothing for it to hit in order to make that sound the Sheriff Deputy lets out the same scream when he has a flashlight shined in his eye as he does when he busts his hand punching the call and ripping his hands out of handcuffs Laura is going to use the hook and pliers to remove the bullet from Levy's shoulder except when dropping them and the boiling water to disinfect them she doesn't open the pliers the inside of the pliers would need to be disinfected too which is common sense and as a surgeon or anyone w/ commmon sense about this sort of thing she would know that the scene with howl sitting in the diner as another cop comes in to speak with him appears to use a body double when filming Howell from behind and that body double not only doesn't have the same hair pattern as Howell shaved head versus balding but he might even be a different ethnicity noticeably darker first kill 2017 is a gripping action thriller that takes viewers on a tense ride filled with moral dilemmas intense confrontations and unexpected twists directed by Steven C Miller and starring Hayden Christensen and Bruce Willis the film explores themes of family loyalty the consequences of violence and the complexity of Justice the ending of first kill leaves audiences with much to ponder as it wraps up a story that is as much about personal Redemption as it is about survival in this article we will dive deep into the film's ending unraveling its significance and exploring the layers of meaning hidden within its final scenes before we delve into to the ending it is essential to understand the film's premise first kill follows the story of will Beaman Hayden Christensen a successful Wall Street broker who decides to reconnect with his son Dany by taking him on a hunting trip to his hometown what begins as a peaceful father son bonding experience quickly spirals into chaos when they witness a man being shot during a bank robbery gone wrong in an attempt to save the injured man Levy Barrett GTH and Anthony will unwittingly becomes entangled in a web of crime and deception as the plot unfolds we learn that Levy is part of a gang that robbed a bank and he is being pursued by the town's corrupt police chief Marvin Howell Bruce Willis when Dany is kidnapped by Levy's accomplice will is forced into a perilous situation where he must retrieve the stolen money to save his son this sets the stage for a series of intense confrontations that ultimately lead to the film's climactic ending will Beeman is a character torn between his professional life and his desire to be a good father father his decision to take Dany on a hunting trip stems from his guilt over not spending enough time with his family however the trip turns into a nightmare when Will finds himself caught in the middle of a criminal operation throughout the film will struggles with his own morality as he is forced to make difficult decisions to protect his son Will's character Arc is Central to the film's narrative initially he is portrayed as a man who relies on his wealth and status to navigate life but as the story progresses will is stripped of these Privileges and must rely on his instincts and determination to survive this transformation is crucial to understanding the film's ending as it highlights Will's Journey from a complacent father to a man willing to risk everything for his family Levy Barrett is a complex antagonist whose motivations are revealed gradually throughout the film at first glance Levy appears to be a ruthless criminal but as the story unfolds we learn that his actions are driven by desperation Levy is not just a villain and he is a man who has been pushed to the brink by circumstances Beyond his control Levy's relationship with Will is one of the most intriguing aspects of first kill although they are on opposite sides of the law they share a common goal survival Levy's desperation to retrieve the stolen money and Will's desperation to save his son create a tense Dynamic that drives the film's plot forward in the end Levy's fate is a poignant reminder of the tragic consequences of his choices adding depth to the film's conclusion the kidnapping of Dany is the Catalyst for the film's climax when Levy's accomplice takes Dany hostage will is thrust into a situation where he must navigate a dangerous game of cat and mouse the kidnapping is not just a plot device it is a moment that forces will to confront his deepest fears and question his own values throughout the film Danny's safety is a constant source of tension and his kidnapping serves to heighten the stakes Will's determination to save his son at all costs leads him down a path of violence and moral compromise this is where the film's themes of fatherhood and sacrifice come into play as will is forced to re-evaluate what it means to be a protector and apparent one of the most compelling aspects of first kill is the moral dilemma faced by wi beiman as he becomes more entangled in the criminal underworld will is forced to make choices that challenge his sense of right and wrong the film presents these dilemmas in a way that forces the audience to consider the consequences of Will's actions for instance when will decides to help Levy in exchange for his son's safety he is effectively making a deal with the devil this decision is not made lightly and the film takes care to show the toll it takes on will the moral ambiguity of this choice is a key element of the film's ending as it raises questions about the lengths one should go to protect their loved ones the climax of first kill is a tense and action-packed sequence that brings all the film's conflicts to AE in this scene will'll confronts Chief Howell and his corrupt deputies in a final showdown that that will determine the fate of his son the confrontation is not just a physical battle it is a moral one as well as forced to confront the man who embodies everything he despises Chief Howell's character represents the corrupting influence of power and greed his pursuit of the stolen money is driven by self-interest and he is willing to sacrifice anyone who gets in his way in contrast Will's actions are motivated by love and a desire to protect his family this contrast is what makes the climactic confrontation so compelling as it pits two opposing forces against each other in a battle for survival just when it seems like all hope is lost the film delivers a final twist that changes everything Levy who has been portrayed as a ruthless criminal throughout the film makes a surprising choice that redeems his character in a moment of self-sacrifice Levy decides to help will save his son even if it means risking his own life this twist is significant because it adds a layer of complexity to Levy's character it shows that despite his flaws Levy is capable of redemption his decision to help will is a turning point in the film as it shifts the balance of power and allows will to finally defeat Chief Howell The Twist also reinforces the film's theme of redemption as it shows that even the most morally compromised characters can find a path to Salvation the ending of first kill is Bittersweet although Will succeeds in Saving his son and defeating Chief Howell the victory comes at a cost the final scenes of the film show will and Dany walking away from the scene of the confrontation visibly shaken by the events that have transpired there is no celebration no triumphant music only the somber realization that their lives have been forever changed the ending is a reflection of the film's central theme the consequences of violence while W's actions have saved his son they have also left a lasting impact on his psyche the film does not shy away from showing the emotional toll of the events leaving the audience to Grapple with the moral complexities of the Story the ending of first kill is significant because it challenges the traditional notion of a happy ending while the immediate threat has been neutralized the characters are left to deal with the aftermath of their actions the film's conclusion is a reminder that violence has far-reaching consequences and that the cost of survival is often higher than we realize moreover the ending highlights the film's exploration of moral ambiguity Will's journey is not a straightforward one and the film's conclusion reflects this complexity by leaving the audience with unanswered questions first kill encourages viewers to reflect on the choices made by the characters and the ethical implications of those choices first kill 2017 leaves viewers with a conclusion that is as nuanced as it is impactful refusing to offer easy answers or a tidy resolution the film's ending is a powerful meditation on the complexity of human nature the burdens of fatherhood and the gray areas that often Define moral decisions as Wan emerges from his heral GR in ordeal we see a man who has been irrevocably changed not just by the violence he has witnessed and participated in but by the moral compromises he has been forced to make the film asks us to consider the true cost of survival and protection and whether the ends truly justify the means Will's Victory though it saves his son is tinged with sorrow and the weight of irreversible choices the tension between Justice and survival love and violence Redemption and Damnation runs deep in the film's final moment moments leaving the audience to Grapple with the profound questions it raises in the end first kill is not just a story about a man protecting his family it is a stark reminder that the lines between hero and villain right and wrong are often blurred and the consequences of our actions can linger far beyond the moment of decision the film's conclusion therefore is not just the end of Will's Journey it is the beginning of a new reality for him and his son one where the Shadows of the past will always Loom large first kill is a 27 American action thriller film directed by Steven C Miller and written by Nick Gordon the film stars Hayden Christensen and Bruce Willis Wall Street broker will Beeman Hayden Christensen has been struggling with being present for his wife Laura Megan Leonard and his son Danny Tai Shelton shortly after hearing of Dany being bullied at school will decides to take his family to his hometown Granville Ohio to bond with Dany upon entering Granville will is reacquainted with police chief Marvin how Bruce Willis a family friend who knew Will's father and at one point dated his aunt Dy dub girdler Howell advises will on taking precautions after Howell informs him of a recent bank robbery in which a couple of million dollars was stolen while teaching Danny how to hunt with a rifle will and Dany witness a heated exchange between two men one of them holding the other at gunpoint and inquiring after money a drop off not going according to plan the unarmed man gethin Anthony is shot in the shoulder after he throws a key near Will's position at a shooting station Danny's shocked gas but the shooting attracts the gunman's attention the gunman opens fire on Will's location and prompts will fearing for his son's safety to shoot him with his hunting rifle in self-defense upon inspecting the dead gunman he is surprised to discover a concealed badge which shows that the gunman was a police officer who failed to identify himself distraught well brings the wounded man to the family cabin for Laura a surgeon to provide first aid and hopefully to save the only other witness to the proceedings shortly after he is treated and bandaged up the man regains Consciousness takes Dany hostage at knife point and demands will to help him retrieve the discarded key in exchange for dany's Freedom while attempting to retrieve the key back at the Shooting Shack they are surprised by a uniformed officer Richie stuckle William demio who opens fire on Will and the gunman the gunman tells will to meet him at a bulletin board after he retrieves the key and he then abcon with Will's car and Son as hostage after an attempt at pursuing his son will learns from Howell that the gunman's name is Levy Barrett and that the deceased officer was Richie's brother Charlie she Buckner will Waits until Nightfall to retrieve the key only to be confronted by Richie will successfully subdues Richie leaves him handcuffed to a tree and goes to the bulletin board for further instructions meanwhile Danny bonds with Levy and learns the reasons behind the bank robbery Howell and the stuckle brothers engineered The Heist and intended to use Levy as the Fall Guy Levy agreed to the heist to support financially Mabel F and Christine Dy the cancer-ridden mother of his girlfriend Adele Mai ailla Levy was supposed to drop off the stolen money at a drop site but suspecting that the cops would likely betray him he did not arrive for fear of the site being compromised with a potential assassin Howell also deduces Levy's predicament after a uniformed officer investigates Barrett's apartment Howell and will Converge on Mabel's hospital bed and Howell questions Will's motivation for being there while Howell is distracted with a radio call by an officer will receives a map from Mabel that reveals the location of the post office Al which the stolen money was stashed and the location of an underground bunker at which to make the exchange for his son the key is used to unlock the mailbox containing the stolen cash will briefly eludes Howell but is caught again after he retrieves the money seemingly sympathetic to Will situation Howell provides will transport to the bunker to apprehend Levy will gives the money to Levy and is reunited with Dany simultaneous to this reunion Richie kidnaps Laura from the family cabin and drives her to Howell's location for leverage of their own while attempting to flee Adele is murdered by Howell left with nothing to lose Levy attacks Howell and Richie only to be wounded will takes Dany to a hunter's Watchtower where Dany soon pushes a pursuing Richie off a high ladder to knock him out because of following good anti-bullying advice that Levy imparted to him previously while they bonded over computer games Powell holds Laura at gunpoint and threatens to shoot her if Will does not hand over the money desperate to help his parents Dany retrieves a pistol from the unconscious Richie and attempts to shoot Howell only for will to stop him in an attempt to taunt will Howell reveals himself as the one who murdered Will's father years earlier Levy distracts Howell while Laura ducks and provides will the opportunity to shoot Howl in the head during the aftermath Levy dies of his injuries much to dany's sadness Richie is questioned by the rest of the police department and Mabel is found dead on the hospital bed after she was murdered by Howell by removing her life support system as the remaining non-corrupt officers boast on news media over the recovered loot the bean family relinquishes its hunting rifle and decides to return home to deal with its daily lives Bruce Willis goes bad in a movie that could hardly be mistaken for good playing a corrupt police chief mixed up in a bank robbery just how many people has first killed star Bruce Willis killed over the course of his career according to a site called movieut accounts.com whose statistics look to be about as accurate as a saw-off shotgun blast Willis has offed 116 adversaries to date a more accurate tally is best left to someone with an appetite for action and plenty of free time on their hands which just so happens to be the kind of person most likely to appreciate another generic collabor ation between Willis and director Steven C Miller their third following extraction and Marauders with little to distinguish this vaud bound Lion's gate premere release from so many straight to video Thrillers first kill offers the ever so slight novelty of casting Willis as the bad guy he plays a corrupt rural police chief named Howell who's courteous to the locals in smalltown gravel Ohio but not above murdering them if they get between him and the loot from a recent bank robbery Howl's crime might have gone undetected were it not for the arrival of Will Hayden Christensen a big city investment banker who happens to be hunting with his 11-year-old son Danny Tai Shelton when he stumbles upon their scheme dany's been having trouble with a bully at school and first kill is the roundabout story of how the kid finds the confidence to defend himself in that uniquely American NRA approved Way by learning how to handle a firearm dad goes out of his way to explain that Dany should never point the gun at another person but he doesn't set much of an an example from the moment Father and Son stumble across what appears to be an execution in the woods it's shoot or be shot and while first kill ain't Willis first Kill by any stretch it could well provide the kids a blue State version of the same movie might have followed Dany back to school where he takes the family rifle and opens fire on his aggressors but as far as first kill is concerned the best way to prevent gun violence is with more guns it's easy to understand why Miller would have wanted Willis for the role although he barely exploits the Stars Rye seen at all quality but Christensen comes as more of a surprise since he reads as a white collar Dandy someone who hardly seems tough enough to have grown up around guns and not at all the type who'd pull the trigger if his son was put in danger if anything the script by Nick Gordon might have done more with the idea that Will's masculinity is threatened when he finds himself called upon to protect his family alas Sam peeka Straw Dogs instead will is depicted as a kind of super dad who will stop but nothing to get Dany back after the unexpectedly sympathetic bank robber Geth and Anthony kidnaps the boy and in so doing solve the mystery of what happened to his father years before frankly if forced to bet between John mlan and Anakin Skywalker I take the DI hard tough guy every time but that's just the underdog Factor Miller is going for staging a reasonably entertaining series of off-road chases and backward shootouts on route to that final confrontation the movie's tough love message if Danny can managed to get through the experience alive it'll take a lot more than a bully to intimidate him next time first kill marks the third collaboration between director Steven C Miller and Bruce Willis but their efforts are not likely to enter the pantheon of such previous cinematic teams as Alfred Hitchcock and Jimmy Stewart or John Ford and John Wayne produced by the aply named grindstone entertainment the film much like its Miller willly predecessors extraction and Marauders is strictly Grindhouse level if grind houses still existed their modern-day equivalent vaud will be the natural home for this mediocre Thriller receiving a limited theatrical release as with most of his recent Vehicles Willis here plays a supporting part Hayden Christensen plays the central role of will a hot shot investment banker whose importance is signaled in an early scene when he exasperatedly asks his assistant did the meeting with the Saudis get moved to today not surprisingly Will's home life has suffered due to his workaholic ways when he discovers that his 11-year-old son Danny Tai Shelton has been bullied at school he decides to take his family to the small town where he grew up so that he can teach his boy how to hunt in an effort to give him confidence using the same rifle that his grandfather gave him will take stany on a deer hunting Expedition but father and son get more than they bargained for when they encounter a pair of criminals and will wind up having to shoot one of them in self-defense it turns out that the duo was involved a recent bank robbery and the surviving one Levy GTH and Anthony winds up kidnapping Dany to force will to help him find the key to a bank vault that contains $2 million in loot to complicate the situation even further the local police chief Willis who's known will since he was a boy becomes suspicious of Will's actions after his boy is taken the two men are soon involved in a twisty cat and mouse game even while Dany bonds with his captor over their shared love of video games Levy it's soon revealed isn't really a bad guy just a desperate one trying to get the money to pay for an operation to remove his mother-in-law's 80 lb tumor yes the screenplay by Nick Gordon gets that Baro more reminiscent of a broadcast network crime drama episode than a feature film The generically titled first kill features one decent chase scene involving a pickup truck an ATV barreling through the woods and a suspenseful gun standoff near its conclusion otherwise it's all pretty tedious with Miller failing to infuse the proceedings with the stylistic flare necessary to compensate for the cliche ridden plotline whose twists can be seen a mile away Christensen who's been unable to capitalize on the buzz over his acclaimed performance in shattered glass at least goes through his Paces with professionalism the same can't be set of Willis who turns in yet another phone it in performance that makes one yearn for the actor to hark back to the sort of superb character work he did in such films as in country and nobody's fool the best performance on display here comes from Anthony a British actor who displays both a credible southern accent and an entertaining relish for his intriguing character it's the one genuine pleasure in this otherwise forgettable genre exercise there has been much written about this film in the negative but this film has many good qualities if one looks closely much to the credit of the director this film was made in 13 days that is incredible the acting of the boy Danny Tai Shelton an unknown has a career ahead of him Danny's relationship with Levy G ethic Anthony is very well acted out on screen Anthony is British and does very well with his screen Accent take note of the work off simatra art Direction out of very little material to work with and the subtle choice of costume director with a spot of red used in Danny's clothes which pops out on screen the music score is to pay attention to especially at the end when there is the summation of the story with only the music finally what a pro Willis is he did all his scenes pages of dialogue all in 12 hours of shooting yes the story is not terrific but for Hollywood film making today there is much to observe in this film and to the credit of director Mr Miller check it out and look for what listed to notice if you've been wondering where Anakin Skywalker and John mlan have been look no further than Granville Ohio apparently mlan is now a sheriff in the Small Town East of Columbus and has recently run into successful stock brocker Skywalker and his wife and son as he returns to his roots for a family trip away from the big city what I'm getting at is it's kind kind of hard not to think of the two characters Hayden Christensen and Bruce Willis are best known for while watching the mostly Bland and predictable action thriller first kill the generic title is a good indication whether or not this movie is worth your time the latest from B movie director Steven C Miller who has made a name for himself making VOD crap populated by a repeat assembly of actors kill list isn't putrid like Miller's Arsenal from earlier this year but it certainly doesn't hold up well overall unfortunately Willis has popped up in two of Miller's previous awful action flicks extraction and Marauders these movies may get a theatrical release and if they do it'll be one maybe two Suburban theaters at the same time they're released on VOD each time Willis looks tired and bored which is too bad but let's face it the last good roles he had was in Ryan Johnson's Looper and in Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom both released in 2012 since then Willis hasn't been picky but most of his movies have been hard defined for reasons just mentioned on the flip side christenson's post Star Wars movies have mostly been unmemorable in fact most people would be hardpressed to list off his movies after Revenge of the Sith maybe he doesn't have alamon payments at a loss as to what these two actors saw in the screenplay from Nick Gordon but it certainly wasn't much to work with the fact that they said yes and committed to it is a reminder that sometimes acting is just like any other job sometimes you just show up and go through the motions Miller shot first kill in 13 days which is impressive but then again it's not too surprising since there's not much to it as stated above Christensen plays a stock brocker named will who works in downtown Columbus Ohio it's a part written as a typical preoccupied stressed out corporate exec and our intro to the character doesn't give us much more Beyond such a stereotypical characterization when was Dr wife Lori Megan Leonard calls to let him know that their 11-year-old son Danny newcomer Tai Shelton was physically bullied at school once again he seems bothered by such news and eventually picks his son up from school after some bemoaning real nice will decides to take the whole family for a trip to his hometown hoping his son's first hunting trip will bond them and toughen him up the first person they meet in town is Sheriff Howell Willis who knew Will's parents and gives him a welcome back greeting and a warning to be cautious due to some Bank activity in town recently much to Lor's dismay will teaches Danny how to handle maintain and shoot again stressing safety safety safety but instead of catching a white tail out in the woods the pair stumble upon a heated exchange between two guys in the near distance will spots them first and tries to hide both himself and Dany on the other side of a barn yet still withing ey shot of these two figures one of which is pointing a gun and shouting at the other one the gun toting guy tosses a key that lands right near Danny's footsteps and as they peek to look what happens next the other guy pulls out a gun and shoots shoots injuring the guy who just tossed the key realizing that they're in a dire situation here and figuring these guys are probably criminals will readi his hunting rifle for protection telling Dany to stay put but once the shooter hears some activity over by the barn Dany Freaks and runs leaving will with no choice but to fatally gun him down in self-defense upon closer look will notices that the dead guy is wearing a badge will later learn this is a local cop named Charlie she Buckner Marauders and realizes there's more going on here knowing the other guy is still alive but injured will and Dany take the criminal with them back to their aunt's cabin so Lori can attend the guy's wound Lori is understandably confused and even more so when she learns that her husband has shot a cop after treating the wound Lori leaves to get help and by the time she returns will Dany and the injured guy she just treated are peeling off in an SUV while she was gone the injured guy Levy Geth and Anthony Game of Thrones awakens and holds a curious Danny hostage stating he only wants the key obviously the key leads to the money the two guys were shouting over which is related to a recent bank robbery gone arai since will knows where the key is as well he persuades Levy that they'll all go what no note for the wife gez things get even more complicated both the situation and the plot over complicated and convoluted in the case of the plot when another cop Richie William demio overacting out of left field with a bronx accent starts firing shots as will leads Levy to the location while Dany remains in the vehicle more shots are fired confusion mounts Levy panics and takes off with Dany and toe up until now the action sequences had some emotional resonance to them which is not something one would expect from a be movie straight to VOD flick you can feel the alarm in that initial encounter with the two shouting guys in the rain and what transpires immediately involving the Tas key but once leevy takes off with Dany it's inexplicable how Kristen will go stock brocker to Outdoors Man of Action mean no this is an Heist gone wrong action flick but even an attempt and believable characterization would have helped instead an ATV and SUV Chase kicks off a descent into tedious action sequences it just so happens that two ads are parked on a Gravel Road in the forest so will and Richie can hop on them and pursue Levy please eventually Willis tired Sheriff Howell gets involved hinting at how he just knew he'd run into will again and from here out becomes even more implausible and bogged down with ir rolling Exposition since first kill starts off with a father training his son on the masculinity it would have been interesting to see that topic tested on a more mental or psychological level here what if Dany isn't into killing another being then how does will approach bonding and training his son where does masculinity come to play in all of the male characters in the film but Gordon's screenplay isn't having any of that kind of development or introspection Christensen is just fine fine despite the tired Trope of a father trying to get his son back but it's surprisingly the scenes between Anthony's Levy and Shelton's Dany that provide something that rises above the typical be movie conventions were used to Anthony who successfully discards his own British accent for the role of the blue collar misanthrop actually has a bit more to work with here there's a good reason Levy's gotten involved in this Heist and it has very little to do Criminal Intent he knows he's against insurmountable odds and that he's put a father in son in Jeopardy unintentionally so in the scenes between Levy and Dany we see Levy try to connect with him and it works thanks to both actors playing their roles with unexpected dimensions and intuitiveness again it's rare to see such performances pop up in what we expect is going to be by the Numbers action as for Willis if you've been paying attention to his career path lately it's no surprise to see him show up in such be movie schlock but it's still sad since we know what he's capable of the twist involving his Shar character may be predictable yet it's also unearned not offering Willis much wonder how many of those 13 days Willis was in Ohio for not sure what audience first kill is for if you're an absolutely devout fan of either of the two leads I guess this is for you if you're at all curious wait for this to show up on basic cable there was potential and some interesting Concepts that could have been explored but not with this screenwriter and director my bad is neither of them thought that the standout would be the kidnapper and the KD as of November 11th 2022 first kill gross $347 95 in the United Arab Emirates turkey Portugal South Africa Argentina Uruguay and Paraguay on a budget of $10 million Levy is driving the pickup truck on dirt paths in the woods will is chasing him on an ATV there's a split on the path and the truck takes the left Fork which Slants downhill the ATV goes to the right which leads uphill when the truck is seen again it is traveling across the screen from right to left directly in front of the ATV there was no chance for the truck to get to the opposite side of the ATV when Will's character jumps on the ATV to chase the pickup truck with his son in it his shirt hikes up and reveals a lower back tattoo that was not present in the prior scene the Sheriff Deputy yanked one hand out of the Cuffs but a bit later both of his hands were free of cuffs which would be unrealistic both because of the difficulty and because if one hand is out there is no no need to damage the other one by pulling it out when will was teaching Sun Dany how to fire his rifle he was careful to explain that the safety was on when he gave the weapon to Dany but the boy aimed it at the tin can targets and fired it anyway without visibly switching off the safety although it had rained earlier none of the uncovered papers on the bulletin board in front of Earls showed signs of having been touched by the rain towards the end of the movie Levy shoots more than 24 Shots from his handgun without running out of bullets or changing clips dty and the other Deputy pull up to see the sheriff with a gunshot wound to his head and Levy's dead body and the deputy just assumes that it was a legit kill and doesn't attempt to even disarm Billy although the characters involved in law enforcement are referred to as police the color of their uniforms is that of Sheriff's the village of Granville Ohio where this movie was said to have taken place has a police department with navy blue uniforms when will shoots howl he has his eyebrow pressed firmly against the lens of the rifle scope The Recoil would slam the gun into him causing an extremely painful injury and a laceration that he would be unable to ignore and that would be easily visible Laura is gagged but can still scream and talk with the gagin also her hands are tied in front of her so she could easily pull the gag down at any time but doesn't Peterson contacts Howell over the radio to tell him that they found Charlie shell casings at different locations but this is something that would have been communicated to Howell immediately earlier in the day not at night as if it was just discovered since in the previous scene will went back that there were no more cops on the scene except Richie when Danny hits Richie in the forehead hard enough to knock him semiconscious and off of the ladder there is no dirt or mark on Richie's forehead when he hits the ground also Richie has to have the slowest reflexes in the world to stand there and stare at Dany for a few seconds without flinching or moving to avoid getting hit in the head after having been kidnapped and seeing his mom with a gun to her head tied up and gagged the first thing Dany does when Howell is shot is run to Levy to check on him instead of his own mom although Levy has a significant Head Start and is driving a truck will and Richie catch up to him win a few seconds on ad's the deputy that was handcuffed to the tree could have tried to move up the branch and either slip his hands off of the branch or use his weight to break the branch and get free but instead decided to rip his hand out of the cuff when Levy throws the key before getting shot and wi will picks up the key a jingling sound is heard but the key was by itself and not even on a key ring so there is nothing for it to hit in order to make that sound the Sheriff Deputy lets out the same scream when he has a flashlight shined in his eye as he does when he busts his hand punching the call and ripping his hands out of handcuffs Laura is going to use the hook and pliers to remove the bullet from Levy's shoulder except when dropping them in the boiling water to disinfect them she doesn't open the pliers the inside of the pliers would need to be disinfected too which is common sense and as a surgeon or anyone w/ common sense about this sort of thing she would know that the scene with Howell sitting in the diner as another cop comes in to speak with him appears to use a body double when filming Howell from behind and that body double not only doesn't have the same hair pattern as howl shaved head versus balding but he might even be a different ethnicity noticeably darker first kill 2017 is a gripping action thriller that takes viewers on a tense ride filled with moral dilemmas intense confrontations and unexpected twists directed by Steven C Miller and starring Hayden Christensen and Bruce Willis the film explores themes of family loyalty the consequences of violence and the complexity of Justice the ending of first kill leaves audiences with much to ponder as it wraps up a story that is as much about personal Redemption as it is about survival in this article we will dive deep into the film's ending unraveling its significance and exploring the layers of meaning hidden within its final scenes before we delve into the ending it is essential to understand the film's premise first kill follows the story of will Beaman Hayden Christensen a successful Wall Street broker who decides to reconnect with his son Dany by taking him on a hunting trip to his hometown what begins as a peaceful Father's son bonding experience quickly spirals into chaos when they witness a man being shot during a bank robbery gone wrong in an attempt to save the injured man Levy Barrett Guth and Anthony will unwittingly becomes entangled in a web of crime and deception as the plot unfolds we learn that Levy is part of a gang that robbed a bank and he is being pursued by the town's corrupt police chief Marvin Howell Bruce Willis when Dany is kidnapped by Levy's accomplice will is forced into a perilous situation where he must retrieve the stolen money to save his son this sets the stage for a series of intense confrontations that ultimately lead to the film's climactic ending will Bean is a character torn between his professional life and his desire to be a good father his decision to take Dany on a hunting trip stems from his guilt over not spending enough time with his family however the trip turns into a nightmare when Will finds himself caught in the middle of a criminal operation throughout the film will struggles with his own morality as he is forced to make difficult decisions to protect his son Will's character Arc is Central to the film's narrative initially he is portrayed as a man who relies on his wealth and status to navigate life but as the story progresses will is stripped of these Privileges and must rely on his instincts and determination to survive this transformation is crucial to understanding the film's ending as it highlights Will's Journey from a complacent father to a man willing to risk everything for his family Levy Barrett is a complex antagonist whose motivations are revealed gradually throughout the film at first glance Levy appears to be a ruthless criminal but as the story unfolds we learn that his actions are driven by spiration Levy is not just a villain he is a man who has been pushed to the brink by circumstances Beyond his control Levy's relationship with Will is one of the most intriguing aspects of first kill although they are on opposite sides of the law they share a common goal survival Levy's desperation to retrieve the stolen money and Will's desperation to save his son create a tense Dynamic that drives the film's plot forward in the end Levy's fate is a poignant reminder of the tragic consequences of his choices adding dep to the film's conclusion the kidnapping of Dany is the Catalyst for the film's climax when Levy's accomplice takes Dany hostage will is thrust into a situation where he must navigate a dangerous game of cat and mouse the kidnapping is not just a plot device it is a moment that forces will to confront his deepest fears and question his own values throughout the film Danny's safety is a constant source of tension and his kidnapping serves to heighten the stakes Will's determination to save his son at all costs leads him down a path of violence and moral compromise this is where the film's themes of fatherhood and sacrifice come into play as will as forced to re-evaluate what it means to be a protector and a parent one of the most compelling aspects of first kill is the moral dilemma faced by Will Bean as he becomes more entangled in the criminal underworld will is forced to make choices that challenge his sense of right and wrong the film presents these dilemmas in a way that forces the audience to consider the consequences of Will's actions for instance when will decides to help Levy in exchange for his son's safety he is effectively making a deal with the devil this decision is not made lightly and the film takes care to show the toll it takes on will the moral ambiguity of this choice is a key element of the film's ending as it raises questions about the lengths one should go to protect their loved ones the climax of first kill is a tense and action-packed sequence that brings all the film's conflicts to a head in this scene will confronts Chief Howell and his his corrupt deputies in a final showdown that will determine the fate of his son the confrontation is not just a physical battle it is a moral one as will as forced to confront the man who embodies everything he despises Chief how's character represents the corrupting influence of power and greed his pursuit of the stolen money is driven by self-interest and he is willing to sacrifice anyone who gets in his way in contrast Will's actions are motivated by love and a desire to protect his family this contrast is what makes the climactic confrontation so compelling as it P