Assassin’s Creed is directed by Justin Kurzel (Macbeth) and
stars Michael Fassbender (X-Men: First Class) and Marion Cotillard (The Dark
Knight Rises). Based on the video game franchise of the same name, it tells the
story of Callum Lynch, whose ancestors were assassins, as he explores the
memories of those ancestors through the Animus.
I remember buying the first four video games in the series
over one summer and being instantly addicted. From the secret blades to secret
societies, the games introduced vast worlds with endless opportunities for
adventures. And the talent behind the scenes and on the screen should have been
good enough to make this at least a watchable video game movie. But did it live
up to the hype?
I’ll start with the positives. The action takes place within
a computer simulation of 15th century Spain. When we are transported
to the Spanish time period, we are treated to beautiful visuals of a lived in
city. Had this been a period piece about assassins living during this time
period this could have been a truly great movie. But too much of the movie
takes place during the present day and even the action sequences feel the need
to switch to the present day for no apparent reason except to show the CGI
machines the directors had built.
Michael Fassbender delivers a decent performance as Callum
Lynch, but he often felt like he was overacting and one scene particular made
me laugh out loud in the worse way possible. Cotillard was okay in her role but
it felt as if she was given nothing to do aside from standing around. And many
of the other characters felt like wasted opportunities, especially considering
the talent involved.
Another problem I had with the movie was the music. I am
usually not one to pick up on scores, except when they stick out like a sore
thumb. So when rock and roll starts playing as a group of assassins are
standing in a private sanctuary in the 15th century, it is going to
take me out of the scene. Whereas they could have gone with a subtler approach
to the music to make it fit the time period, they instead tried to be more
modern, which ultimately distracted from the final product.
My biggest problem with the movie was the story. I was
following along with the story for the first half when all of a sudden it felt
as though I was missing out on something. Character motivations became
confusing and I honestly had no idea what was actually going on with the main
crux of the action. The finale of the movie sets up an epic showdown between
the Templars and Assassins, only to abruptly end without the final action set piece
that could have made the movie just a little bit better.
While I wanted to love this movie, Assassin’s Creed is
simply not a good movie. It’s messy with confusing storylines and awkward
character motivations. Will they ever be able to make a good video game movie?
I sure hope so, but Assassin’s Creed is not that movie.
When should you watch it?
Cable
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