‘Assassin’s Creed’ – Review
Michael Fassbender steps into the past and comes face to face with destiny in the high action adaptation of Assassin’s Creed, which delivers edge of your seat action at its best.
The epic action adventure of Assassin’s Creed makes its way from the video game console to the big screen thanks to the dedication of director Justin Kurzel. While many video game adaptations fail to make an impact, Assassin’s Creed works thanks to Kurzel and his team treating it directly as a feature film. While they do pay respect to the game’s elements, the decision to focus solely on an original story allows for audiences to become invested in this narrative and not be driven by their memories or experiences from playing the game.
Of all the videogames that I’m familiar with, Assassin’s Creed, in my opinion, also has a story that aligns perfectly with the cinematic medium thanks to its dual narratives of science fiction and historical action. Kurzel and Fassbender handle each side of this perfectly with Fassbender’s dual performance as convicted criminal Callum Lynch, and his ancient Assassin ancestor Aguilar de Nerha. Fassbender’s performance is unique with Aguilar being noble and steadfast, while Lynch is far crazier and unpredictable with a good dose of outlaw cool.
Kurzel also gets some great performances from Fassbender’s co-stars Marion Cotillard and Jeremy Irons. Cotillard has never been more cold and calculating as ambitious scientist Dr. Sophia Rikken, who has some grand plans for Lynch and his genetics thanks to her use of The Animus, a potent virtual reality machine that allows Lynch the ability to tap into his ancestor’s past life as an assassin. Irons, on the other hand, brings a sinister grace to the role of Sophia’s authoritarian and sinister father Dr. Allen Rikken, who is himself a loyal Templar, the immortal enemies of the Assassins, and will do whatever is necessary to get Lynch to accept his destiny.
Being that this is Assassin’s Creed, you can also expect some mind-blowing action scenes, and my favourite had to be the high speed and death-defying parkour chase where Aguilar and his accomplice Maria (Ariane Labed), outrun the Templars in medieval Madrid. Fassbender holds nothing back and is in full action star mode here. Not only is he seriously shredded, but this man can wield a sword with deadly accuracy, and is particularly talented with the Assassin’s trademark gauntlet blades.
If you’re seeking an adrenaline rush to welcome in the New Year then Assassin’s Creed is definitely the movie for you. Not only will you be on the receiving end of some absolutely wicked action set pieces, but the film’s engaging story of time travel, self-realisation and destiny will keep you guessing right up until the very end.
Image: 20th Century Fox.
