Jae’s Movie Review: Assassin’s Creed

Production companies: Regency Enterprises, New Regency Productions

Director: Justin Kurzel

Writers: Adam Cooper (screenplay), Michael Lesslie (screenplay)

Stars: Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons

Although Assassin’s Creed is based on the highly popular game franchise, I wouldn’t recommend to see the movie as a video game adaption.

It would be impossible, and stupid, to try and squeeze the whole storyline and history of the game’s characters into a two hour movie. Maybe that is why most of the previous attempts to adopt a game to the silver screen have been flops. A good example is “Warcraft”, I wasn’t acquainted to the game and despite of me very much wanting to like the movie it just didn’t work; too much story and too little plot hidden under too much CGI.

Many “professional” critics have torn Assassin’s Creed apart using the same argument, branding it a failed video game movie. The “amateurs”, the normal movie going audience, have mostly liked it, the main critic points being game related.

I personally have not played the games, I based my expectations on what I saw in the trailers, and I was not disappointed. Technically speaking the cimematography was great, the action scenes were well coordinated but looked credible enough, despite being over the top (like all action movies).

I liked the story, a conflict that has been going on for generations. An artifact that can help dominate mankind, a rich and sophisticated group craving to rule the world and a group of loyal self-sacrificing warriors who are guarding this artifact. All mixed togehther with a little weird science, crazy fight scenes and a mystic past.

Did I get a detailed introduction to every protoganist? No.

Is the whole story logical and did everything completely make sense? No.

Would I nominate any of the actors for an Oscar? I don’t think so.

Did I enjoy the movie and have a fun evening out? Yes.

Would I watch the movie on DVD/ Bluray again? Yes.