I Figure The Game Is Better Than The Movie..."Assassin's Creed"

Assassin's Creed (2016)  

Rated PG-13

Starring Michael Fassbender, Marion Cottilard, Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson,

Directed by Justin Kurzel

The Story:

Cal (Fassbender) is a convicted felon. He's killed, but brought back to life to participate in an experiment. When hooked to a machine, he's able to channel the life and times of Aguilar, his ancestor and learn the secrets of being a member of the Assassin's Creed.

I'm assuming the game is similar to the movie.

Only more interesting and less confusing.

:)

The production values on the film are astounding, especially the look of the historical eras they produce.

But yeah, this one just never clicked as I watched it.

I get where they were going, and what they were trying to do...

But quite frankly, I never really cared nor felt engaged with any bit of the storyline.

Which you would think Assassin's vs. the Knights Templar would be an interesting idea.

Quite frankly, I was bored throughout pretty much the entire movie, and that's the kiss of death for an action film.

Final Grade: C- Changed my mind...D+

First Person Failure..."Hardcore Henry"

Hardcore Henry (2015)  


Rated R

Starring Andrei Dementiev, Sharlto Copley, Danila Kozlovsky, Haley Bennett, Tim Roth

Written and Directed by Ilya Naishuller

The Story:

Henry (Dementiev) wakes up to see Estelle (Bennett) putting him back together on a lab table. She tells him sorry his memory is off, but they are married and there's a bad guy, Akan (Kozlovsky) trying to catch Henry and steal his technology. When Estelle is kidnapped, Henry goes into rescue mode to save his love.

So if you saw the trailer for this film, you know exactly what to expect.

It's basically a first person shooter videogame brought to life.

Lots of stunts, lots of action.

Little plot that hasn't already been used in a million other films.

And it's not really that good.

I think the reason why boils down to the first person shooter aspect.

In a videogame, the first person is you.

But this is a movie, it's scripted to go a certain way, so you, the audience, have no control over Henry.

And since Henry isn't really you, and there is no actor to watch, empathize or sympathize with, there is no emotional attachment or investment in the film.

This isn't watching John McClane get beat down and hoping he'll come up with one solution after the next to beat the bad guys.

This is watching some arms and legs punch and kick and blow stuff up.

Watch the trailer...it's pretty much the entire movie, but with a better soundtrack, and much less time wasted.

Oh, and PS:

If you didn't think the "wife" was in on it the whole time, you haven't seen enough films yet.

Oops.

Spoiler.

:)

Final Grade: F