[yasr_overall_rating]
When Callum Lynch explores the memories of his ancestor Aguilar and gains the skills of a Master Assassin, he discovers he is a descendant of the secret Assassins society.
The “Assassin’s Creed” franchise was one I always adored playing. Even the newer ones that seem to leave a little to be wanted as far as the story goes but nonetheless, they were incredible games. You weren’t introduced to the stories, you were immersed in them, dunked until you finished the game. Only then were you allowed to come up for air.
This film with the same name seems to take that sentiment and rip it up and burn it. Michael Fassbender was this film’s saving grace early on before the release. It looked like with the casting of the man that more fine actors would follow, which meant the script was good and that the film was going to break the curse that had plagued video game movie adaptations for a very long time. Fassbender’s character, Cal Lynch, is easily forgettable and the character has so many holes in his backstory that you are left with the shell of a man to equate to all of the well documented heroes that populated the AC franchise. Cal is portrayed as this anti-hero all the way up to the end and then, in a change of heart that has no merit or connection to any events, he saves the day. The rest of the characters followed the same path. Jeremy Irons played Rikkin, the powerful owner of Abstergo, the company behind the memory sequences which received no backstory at all despite its large role in the lore and universe that is “Assassin’s Creed.” Rikkin was predictable and bland and only wanted one thing throughout the entire film but made no effort to make you relate to his cause, which left you feeling disconnected. The same went for Sofia (Marion Cotillard), Rikkin’s daughter, the leader of the Animus project, which, again was a key part of the story, of the universe, but was left hanging without a solid explanation. Sofia believed her cause was a noble one and while her character was slightly more relatable than Iron’s, the effect was the same.
The key to the games, its shining light, was the dream sequences right after the death of your target. These targets were usually of high profile and you had been educated on them throughout the game. Even though they were evil you could still find righteousness in their goals, in their dreams. These dream sequences showed you that. They were nowhere to be found in the film. Death by an assassin was just that, a death. The act held no importance and helped progress the story in minimal ways.
The most enjoyable part of the film was the last act where it seemed the movie found its mistakes in the earlier scenes and made an effort to fix them. You really felt as though it was attempting to be what it set out to be. That doesn’t excuse the laziness that infected the film early on. The film was constructed so that a sequel could be made. While creators don’t deserve another go at the universe, I feel that a second film would be good to work out the kinks and send the story down a path that would produce a good film.
Do not go see this movie unless you are a hardcore fan of the “Assassin’s Creed” Universe. Instead, go buy the games and fall into them. After you have done that, they should be releasing a second film. Go watch that oneinstead.
In theaters Wednesday, December 21st
