Directed by:Â Justin Kurzel
Starring:Â Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson, Charlotte Rampling, Michael Kenneth Williams
Rating:Â 12A
Running Time:Â 115 minutes
Release Date:Â January 1st 2017
ASSASSIN’S CREED is Ubisofts first attempt at adapting one of their extremely popular video game series to the big screen, but how did they do? Before we get into all of that, it must be stated that video game adaptations have not had a successful journey. Cult classics such as MORTAL KOMBAT, while loved by many, are not considered good movies, and this year has not improved the legacy. WARCRAFT, RATCHET AND CLANK and ANGRY BIRDS were either critically panned or even glossed over entirely. With that being said, there is a lot riding on this movie regarding the future of this sub-genre.
ASSASSIN’S CREED stars Michael Fassbender as our protagonist in both the past and present story arcs, teaming back up with director Justin Kurzel from 2015’s MACBETH. The story takes us through the life of Cal Lynch (Fassbender), a convicted murderer taken into a secret facility to use genetic memory in search of an ancient artefact. Our lead scientist, Sofia (Marion Cotillard) guides Cal through the process, trying to keep him alive as he uses the Animus to navigate the past of his ancestors. This does all sound extremely farfetched, but in practice, makes a lot more sense.
Unfortunately however, it is the main plot of the film that lets it down the most of all. There is nothing particularly new that ASSASSIN’S CREED brings to the table, with inspiration from movies such as NATIONAL TREASURE and also the two vastly different worlds from THE MATRIX. While this is fine and there is nothing actually wrong with the plot, it just doesn’t do anything to excite the audience, leaving us just going through the motions until we get to the good stuff.
The scenes in which we enter the animus, taking place in Spain during the Inquisition of 1478 are a completely different story. These scenes are exhilarating from start to finish. Whether it be action, tension, romance and everything in between, they contain some of the best movie moments in quite some time. The action sequences in both past and present are expertly choreographed, adrenaline fuelled thrill rides of brutal assassinations, hand to hand combat and long foot chases across the rooftops of 15th century Spain for the past, and through the hall ways of Abstergo’s science facility for the present. It is also impossible to review the sequences separately from each other, as the past and present blend together and layer over each other to create some of the most unique visuals I have ever seen on film, and they are simply stunning to behold. If you are a fan of inventive cinematography, these fast paced moments will leave you breathless.
Speaking of the cinematography, aside from those action moments, this film is all round gorgeous. Kurzel proved he knew how to make a beautiful scene out of something horrible with MACBETH last year, and he did not leave that talent behind. Every scene through this entire movie is framed and shot with so much care, you can feel the time and effort put in to them as you watch them. Blending the bland greys and blues of the present day facility and screen popping colours of the Inquisition so masterfully. Mastering scale, whether it be tight corridors or vast open air rooftops, the appropriate size was perfectly realised on the screen.
Despite the fact that this film has a stunning cast of fantastic actors, unheard of for a video game adaption, no one ever seems to shine. Every character just seems like a blank slate for you imprint yourself onto. Some people may like this fact, that is entirely down to individual opinion, however, I didn’t. I prefer being told a story, this is the character you follow, and make me care. ASSASSIN’S CREED seems to have wanted to add some element of interactive viewing by allowing the audience to imagine themselves as these characters, as you would in the game series, which I feel held this movie back from being so much more. The score was much the same, just completely plain and in the background, getting you from A to B, which is more common than not in the movie business these days.
So how did Ubisoft do? They did fine. This is not by any means a bad movie. In fact I thoroughly enjoyed it. The acting and musical score may be a bit lacking, but is that why you would watch ASSASSIN’S CREED? This movie is a fun, uniquely shot and edited action movie based on a popular video game franchise without much else to offer. But that’s fine. Ubisoft are very much on the right track and I believe with feedback from ASSASSIN’S CREED they can go back and learn for future projects, giving video games the big screen treatment that they deserve.
Verdict
ASSASSINS CREEDÂ is out in cinemas now
