The Specialist 2000

In 1984, Captain Ray Quick and Colonel Ned Trent, both explosives experts for the CIA, embark on a risky mission to eliminate a vehicle transporting a South American cocaine dealer. However, when the moment arrives, they discover a little girl inside the vehicle alongside the dealer. Ray, feeling a moral obligation, insists they abort the mission, but Ned remains resolute about proceeding. His decision culminates in a tragic explosion that claims the life of the innocent child along with the dealer. Enraged by the outcome, Ray physically confronts Ned, reports him to their superiors, and ultimately resigns from the CIA.

Years later, we find Ray in Miami, now a freelance hitman. He becomes involved with a woman named May Munro, who persistently contacts him through ads. May is driven by revenge against Tomas Leon and his men, who were responsible for her parents’ murder. Despite his hesitations, Ray is ultimately convinced by May to take on a job. May cunningly enters Tomas’ world under the alias Adrian Hastings.

Now working for Joe Leon, Tomas’ father, Ned inserts himself into their organized crime syndicate. Once assassinations begin on their lower-tier associates, Ned manages to get involved with the bomb squad. The resolute May navigates her way into Tomas’ circle, pretending to be his girlfriend, all the while keeping a close watch on the hits that transpire. It later becomes evident that May is entangled in a scheme with Ned; his intent is to draw Ray back out into the open to settle scores for the CIA mission that went awry.

When a trap is laid for Tomas, May finds herself caught amid the chaos, as an explosion appears to take their lives. Ned pretends to mourn, but he only seeks to find Ray alive before he buries his son. Misled, both Ray and Ned mourn the loss of May, until Ray discovers that new messages are still being posted on a bulletin board. Responding to one, Ray unwittingly steps into a trap orchestrated by Ned and the bomb squad, igniting a furious confrontation.

At Adrian Hastings’ funeral, Ray uncovers that May survived, as she was there hoping to see if he would show up. Their relationship grows intimate as they connect at the Fontainebleau Hotel. However, quickly after, May finds herself meeting Ned and dodging his suspicions regarding her survival. When a henchman attempts to escort her to safety, she cleverly requests a restroom break to warn Ray. As tensions mount, Ray rigs his hotel room with explosives, leading to a deadly detonation that incapacitates several of Ned’s men.

_Brought to Joe Leon, Ned decides to keep May alive as bait for Ray. Listening to a call made by Ray to May, he meticulously plots the next move. Despite Ray’s reluctance, May convinces him of her genuine care, leading them to a seafood restaurant. Through a coded message, she subtly warns him of an impending trap. When Ned sends May inside, the restaurant is engulfed in flames. Ray and May narrowly escape, retreating to his warehouse.

As they plan to eliminate Joe Leon, Ned corners them, employing a tactical team to surround the facility. Tensions peak when Ned inadvertently triggers a mine, leading to the explosion of the warehouse that claims his life while Ray and May manage to escape unnoticed through a hidden passage.

The following day, Joe receives a shock from a necklace rigged with explosives, resulting in his instantaneous demise. Following the sound of the detonation, Ray turns to May and inquires how she feels now that all responsible for her pain are gone. To this, her simple reply is, “Better.” They drive away, ready to embrace their future together.