Few films start as well – or as brutally – as American Assassin.
We’re introduced to main character Mitch Rapp (Dylan O’Brien) in an idylic beach setting, but it soon becomes the scene of a horrifying terror attack that lays the foundation for a pretty solid revenge thriller.
Fast forward 18 months and Rapp’s something of a vigilante after failing to deal with his personal tragedy.
His behaviour leads to him being head-hunted by the CIA’s Irene Kennedy (Sanaa Lathan), who wants him to be part of her top-secret Orion programme, which is led by Michael Keaton’s Stan Hurley.
With hunting terrorists the name of the game, Rapp naturally signs up and is packed off to boot camp – leading to some intense interaction between two great actors.
Once field-ready, Orion are tasked with tracking down some missing materials that they fear could be developed into a nuclear weapon.
It’s here that we meet Taylor Kitsch’s mysterious Ghost, who has a complicated relationship with Hurley, and Shiva Negar’s Annika, another CIA asset.
Visiting great locations such as Rome and Istanbul, American Assassin has all the makings of a great spy film. Directed by Michael Cuesta, it succeeds when it focuses on its excellent characters and their intense nature.
The relationship between Rapp and Hurley is an obvious highlight, with Maze Runner star O’Brien (pictured, right) a real revelation in the lead role and Keaton an excellent foil. Also impressive are the visceral fight sequences, which remind me of the Bourne films (only with an 18 rating).
Sadly, there’s a nagging sense that you’ve seen the rest of the film before. The prologue is as good as any film in the genre, but it strays too far into ‘same old, same old’ territory later on.
The embodiment of those problems is Ghost, who is badly underdeveloped and a bit of a walking cliché.
Despite its problems, American Assassin is entertaining viewing.
But it could have been much, much better than that.
Voice Verdict: 7.5/10 (reviewed at Boston’s West End Cinema)
+ Amazing, chilling opening sequence
+ O’Brien and Keaton shine
+ Visceral action
– A little cliched
– Kitsch’s Ghost
SHOWTIMES
Boston’s West End Cinema
(Friday, Sept 22 to Thursday, Sept 28)
**KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE (15)
11.20am (Sat/Sun), 2.20pm (Sat/Sun), 5.20pm (daily), 8.20pm (daily)
MOTHER (18)
8.30pm (daily)
VICTORIA AND ABDUL (PG)
Noon (Sat), 2.20pm (Sat/Sun), 5.40pm (daily), 8.15pm (not Thurs)
THE JUNGLE BUNCH (U)
10am (Sat/Sun), 12.30pm (Sat/Sun), 2.50pm (Sat), 4.30pm (Tues), 5.30pm (not Sun/Tues)
AMERICAN ASSASSIN (18)
5.40pm (daily), 8.20pm (not Tues)
STEPHEN KING’S IT (15)
2pm (Sat/Sun), 5pm (daily), 8pm (daily)
THE EMOJI MOVIE (U)
2D –10am (Sat/Sun), noon (Sat/Sun), 2.30pm (Sat)
KIDS’ CLUB
Sat/Sun 10.15am – The Boss Baby (U)
SILVER SCREEN
Wed 11.30am – American Assassin (18)
SUBTITLED SHOWING
Tuesday 8.45pm – American Assassin (18)
**DENOTES FREE LIST SUSPENDED
