American Assassin
Dylan O'Brien, Michael Keaton and Sanaa Lathan must prevent a World War in this action thriller from the director of Kill the Messenger.
Follows the rise of Mitch Rapp (O’Brien), a CIA black ops recruit under the instruction of Cold War veteran Stan Hurley (Keaton). The pair is then enlisted by CIA Deputy Director Irene Kennedy (Lathan) to investigate a wave of apparently random attacks on both military and civilian targets. Together the three discover a pattern in the violence leading them to a joint mission with a lethal Turkish agent (Shiva Negar) to stop a mysterious operative (Taylor Kitsch) intent on starting a World War in the Middle East.
- Director:
- Michael Cuesta ('L.I.E.', 'Kill the Messenger', '12 and Holding')
- Writer:
- Stephen Schiff
- Cast:
- Dylan O'BrienMichael KeatonSanaa LathanTaylor KitschScott AdkinsDavid SuchetShiva NegarNavid Negahban
Reviews & comments
Flicks, Steve Newall
flicksConsidering how generic this slice of vaguely xenophobic counter-terror wish-fulfillment is, it comes as a surprise how bloody American Assassin turns out to be. From the get-go, the film’s violence is frequently shocking (well, R16-level shocking, not the fully traumatising kind). Quickly squandering any emotional investment in its lead, American Assassin dares you to care as its rote plot follows a good-looking US government-endorsed psycho (Dylan O’Brien) as he’s taken under the wing of a grizzled, experienced, US government-endorsed psycho (Michael Keaton) to take down a different good-looking non-US-government-endorsed psycho (Taylor Kitsch) who’s working with a bunch of not-quite-so-awesome psychos (various).
Variety
press"American Assassin" is so close-mouthed and macho that it blends in with Bourne, Bond and "Taken's" Brian Mills. Rapp can blast his way through Turkey - but this sullen, swollen hero can't elbow those box office heavyweights to make room.
Time Out
pressMitch seems not just hot-headed but borderline racist, and neither trait is addressed in a satisfying way.
The New York Times
pressDecent fun, in the leathery, businesslike, self-satisfied manner of this kind of movie, which soothes the hurt places in the male ego with sentiment strategically disguised as toughness.
The Guardian
pressThe attempt to rebrand counterterrorism manoeuvres as a heady extension of The Hunger Games falls somewhere between dimwitted and deeply cynical.
Stuff
pressIt is an efficient, occasionally spectacular and mostly not-too-insulting Friday night popcorn flogger...
Los Angeles Times
pressIt demonstrates that even Jason Bourne lite is better than no Bourne at all, if you're in the mood.
Hollywood Reporter
pressBuilt for action, like its title character, the movie packs a muscular, bloody punch, but mainly it's a well-oiled diversion.
Flicks, Steve Newall
flicksConsidering how generic this slice of vaguely xenophobic counter-terror wish-fulfillment is, it comes as a surprise how bloody American Assassin turns out to be. From the get-go, the film’s violence is frequently shocking (well, R16-level shocking, not the fully traumatising kind). Quickly squandering any emotional investment in its lead, American Assassin dares you to care as its rote plot follows a good-looking US government-endorsed psycho (Dylan O’Brien) as he’s taken under the wing of a grizzled, experienced, US government-endorsed psycho (Michael Keaton) to take down a different good-looking non-US-government-endorsed psycho (Taylor Kitsch) who’s working with a bunch of not-quite-so-awesome psychos (various).
Variety
press"American Assassin" is so close-mouthed and macho that it blends in with Bourne, Bond and "Taken's" Brian Mills. Rapp can blast his way through Turkey - but this sullen, swollen hero can't elbow those box office heavyweights to make room.
Time Out
pressMitch seems not just hot-headed but borderline racist, and neither trait is addressed in a satisfying way.
The New York Times
pressDecent fun, in the leathery, businesslike, self-satisfied manner of this kind of movie, which soothes the hurt places in the male ego with sentiment strategically disguised as toughness.
The Guardian
pressThe attempt to rebrand counterterrorism manoeuvres as a heady extension of The Hunger Games falls somewhere between dimwitted and deeply cynical.
Stuff
pressIt is an efficient, occasionally spectacular and mostly not-too-insulting Friday night popcorn flogger...
Los Angeles Times
pressIt demonstrates that even Jason Bourne lite is better than no Bourne at all, if you're in the mood.
Hollywood Reporter
pressBuilt for action, like its title character, the movie packs a muscular, bloody punch, but mainly it's a well-oiled diversion.
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