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 [Larger view] | Assassins
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Average user rating:  | |
 Too bad Walter Hill didn't get a hold of this one... | |
| ASSASSINS is essentially an updating of a well-established story line. Robert Rath (Stallone) is the best in the world at what he does--killing people for money. But he's getting tired of it all and wants out of the business. Unfortunately, you can't just give two weeks notice to your faceless hit contractor; it's a bit more difficult than that. So it's understandable that Rath barely flinches when he finds out Miguel Bain (Antonio Banderas), the #2 assassin, is after him. Stallone, fresh from the 'not-as-bad-as-you've-heard', box-office flop Judge Dredd, takes on a much quieter role here than usual. Antonio Banderas gives the movie's stand-out performance: Evil and wickedly funny, Banderas just about explodes with energy whenever he appears. Other pluses include the handsome cinematography by Vilmos Zsigmond and the mood-setting score from composer Mark Mancina, both of which clearly draw their inspiration from various noir influences. In fact, the whole movie has an almost neo-noir feel to it. Unfortunately, Donner simply doesn't have the necessary edge to pull off the picture's darker moments. Too bad Walter Hill didn't get a hold of this movie instead of Donner. Interesting enough, despite the obvious anti-NRA propaganda the Left-wing Richard Donner uses in this film, this is a story about people who's lives depend on their knowledge and skill with guns. The DVD itself comes in both full-screen and widescreen anamorphic formats. Great picture, good sound. No extras to speak of aside from the standard chapter stops. | |
| 3 stars ONLY because of Sly. | |
| "Assassins", just one more in a seemingly endless (until "Cop Land") string of bad career moves by Sly Stallone. The "plot" Richard Donner's direction was horrible, a mishmash of weak camera tricks and unnecessary quick cutting. Julianne Moore's performance in this movie is the total opposite of every good one she would give later in her career: in this, she makes for good eye candy, but not much talent or charisma on display for her thankless role as a mark caught between two hitmen. No indication of the incredibly talented actress she would become soon after "Assassins". And Antonio Banderas. Antonio, Antonio, Antonio. I'd be surprised if any self-respecting vegetarian could watch Antonio Banderas act in this movie, because he makes for the biggest ham you ever saw. I couldn't understand half the character's lines without putting on the captions. Word of advice to Antonio Banderas: speaking in a growling half-whisper with a heavy accent does not equal acting. And did his character Miguel have enough gel in his hair?! Scrape some of that gunk off, and you could've solved the world energy crisis. I saw it, I tolerated it, but you should use extreme caution when dealing with "Assassins". - *** out of 5 | |
| Stallone and Banderas bash head on | |
| the two leads are great, especially Banderas with his chitchattering character Miguel who is hilariously deadly. best highlight would be when Banderas gets blown out a window when the gaslight in Julianne Moore's apartment ignites, it sends him flying out baby. though the downfall is length, especially in the end where it seems endless and yawning. |
