Why are 21st-century cinema assassins so jaded? Even James Bond (and let's face it, he does rub out people for money) isn't exactly full of pep, carrying around, as he does, a lot of emotional baggage and seeming always to be stifling a sigh.

There was a time when assassins killed targets without blinking and enjoyed themselves. Consider Clemenza in "The Godfather" who brought home a box of Cannoli for his wife after shooting a guy in the head. Or the female assassin in "Nikita," who pulled off a job in a hotel bathroom wearing just a cherry-print bra and panties as her boyfriend waited on the bed just a couple of meters from the door.

These assassins had energy. Style. A crazy sort of charm. But a guy like Joe (Nicholas Cage) in "Bangkok Dangerous" gives the profession a bad name. Not only is Joe jaded, he's preachy, giving out laugh-out-loud obvious, assassin rules like: "Don't ask questions. There is no right or wrong," with a straight face. Even more unforgivable is the peculiar wig he wears throughout, seemingly attached to his scalp with Superglue.