What a can't miss concept!! Take monosyllabic star Tom Berenger and stick him in the tale of an existential Marine sniper sent to wax a sleazy Panamanian general due to rise to power with the aid of a drug cartel leader.

"Not enough tension," you say? "Who cares," you ask? Well, how 'bout we add a ridiculously green National Security Council member to head the mission? Would that create the requisite black vs. white relationship? And, what if these two opposed personalities came to admire, respect, need, nay love each other by the time this snoozer unspooled?! Ye gads!

SNIPER is definitely a first-class example of "don't believe the trailer", which successfully set the film up as a thrill-a-minute tale of jarheads-on-the-run, fulfilling their own political agenda via the business end of a sniper rifle. Instead, we're treated to an endless stream of scenes featuring Berenger and the NSC flunky (played by Billy Zane, the poor man's Jeff Fahey until a little flick called TITANIC) trudging through the Australian Outback -- whoops! Panama -- exchanging witty barbs about suicide missions.

Berenger, once the owner of a career that was headed somewhere, is sort of coming full circle. The low-budget vehicles he started out in -- like FEAR CITY, where he starred opposite Jack Scalia and a bevy of topless lasses -- led to higher profile roles in vehicles like SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME, and HEARTLAND. Unfortunately, his role in the underrated thriller SHATTERED required him to simply do what he does best...stand around, look a little dopey, and say a word here and there. That essentially led to SNIPER, which requires him to stand around, wear camouflage, and say a zen-like word here and there. Any good roles as a cigar store Indian making the rounds???

In the best illustration of the weakness plaguing modern cinema, SNIPER opened to some rave reviews and a second-place finish at the box office. My advice, stay at home, watch the trailer and maybe read a good book. Or, rent a superior Berenger flick like THE SUBSTITUTE.