Pierce Brosnan as a killer super spy — how can we go wrong? The knee-jerk reaction is to say “lots of ways,” but “The November Man” delivers. There are a lot of spy movies out there, and the theme of student vs. teacher is quite prevalent in them, especially in the modern era. Globe-trotting star showcases are also common in today’s cinema, and finding one that stands out is hard. “The November Man” hits the mark with a solid bullseye.

The plot is interesting and complex, maintaining suspense and surprise twists without feeling confusing or contrived. The acting is impeccable, with Brosnan delivering his usual magnificent performance. While you probably haven’t heard of anyone else in the movie, they all give excellent performances.

The writing is fantastic, with the lines and plot being distinctive and memorable while maintaining believability. Unlike a lot of modern action films, the cinematography follows the style of old-school action movies like “Die Hard” and “Lethal Weapon.” It celebrates the action and special effects with slow pans, slow motion, and stand-off perspective, rather than short, blurry shots of what might be someone’s elbow and a constant headache-inducing “shaky-cam.”

It’s not a gore-fest either. While unafraid to show blood, butts and breasts, this film is far from a grindhouse thriller. Every moment of explicit action feels natural and necessary, moving the plot forward.

This movie is either a spy thriller or an action movie with a deep plot, depending on where you draw the line. It probably falls more toward spy thriller, since the number of explosions is in the single-digits and the total property damage is likely less than $100,000. On the other hand, it contains plenty of action, gunfights, fistfights and fast-paced thrills.

Those walking into the theatre expecting a good movie will be pleasantly surprised; “The November Man” is a great movie, worth seeing in the theaters and owning later, assuming action, plot, and intrigue is your cup of tea. If that isn’t enough, consider this: Bill Granger, the author of the book that inspired the film, is from Wisconsin Rapids. So go out, spend your $5, and see this movie. It’s worth it.