A master sniper who finds himself left holding the bag, thanks to intrigues of powerful men. Will he clear his name and take revenge?

Of course he will. Because this is just like any other movie with a talented but troubled hero who takes on the world. The odds are great, the obstacles big, but Bob Lee Swagger (Mark Wahlberg) will use his military training (and some scripted luck) to win the day. Sounds familiar right?

Shooter will appeal to audiences for many reasons. Girls will enjoy Wahlberg’s good looks. Guys always like big guns and cool action scenes. Even the oldies will be entertained with the consistently fast pace. Only kids shouldn’t be invited to the party, thanks to the liberally gory headshots that today’s jaded audiences expect.

There’s definitely nothing new about Shooter, which reminds me so much of The Bourne Supremacy (right down to the same man vs. conspiracy plot). It’s a passable movie that isn’t a waste of your time, money, and popcorn. And you don’t leave the theater asking questions about the meaning of life and stuff like that.

The only thing that makes Shooter different from other movies is its obvious support of gun owners’ rights. Who else but a sniper is a better spokesman about the merits of lethal power applied properly and effectively? We also hear about a character learning to shoot when he was a kid, and many scenes celebrate the image of the rugged survivalist that’s deeply ingrained in the American psyche.

Enough with the deep words and the analysis. If you have nothing better to do, and think the other movies now showing aren’t worth your time, give Shooter a try. It doesn’t revolutionize the action genre, but it does a good job of entertaining. Unless you really believe in gun control.

By the way, if you’re interested in learning about a real sniper, the great Carlos Hathcock may interest you.