New Orleans professor Gary Johnson (Powell) works part-time helping the police on tech-related matters. During a sting operation, he’s asked to pose as a hit man, and the suspect soliciting murder gets nabbed. With success, Gary gets to play the same role again, varying his look each time. When femme fatale Madison (Arjona) enlists him to kill her abusive husband, the smitten Gary steers her away from the idea, raising the suspicions of antagonistic cop Jasper (Amelio). Irresistibly attracted, Gary and Madison get thrown together in a dizzy, perilous romance with plenty of twists and turns. 

Director Linklater scores again with “Hit Man,” a fizzy, wildly entertaining romp he co-wrote with leading man Powell. It’s a star-making turn for the actor, who disguises himself as a succession of killers, to hilarious effect. Then when he meets sultry co-star Arjona, the sparks really fly. Amelio also makes a dandy villain playing Jasper, a crooked cop who resents Gary’s recent success. “Hit Man” is that rarity these days — a fast and clever comedy that gives its audience credit for brains. You should kill to see it.