In the age of Marvel and “Game of Thrones,” comic books and fantasy novels are no longer the cinematic outcasts they once were. As evidenced by “Assassin’s Creed,” video games have yet to make the same strides toward silver-screen respectability.
This adaptation of the popular series reunites director Justin Kurzel with his “Macbeth” stars Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard, albeit to considerably less fruitful results; fans of the video game franchise are likely to be even more disappointed than those merely looking for a historical action flick.
“Nothing is real, everything is permitted” is the film’s mantra, a translation of a line from Vladimir Bartol’s 1938 novel “Alamut” that’s made its way into any number of other games, movies and songs. Here it represents a powerful weapon wielded by the ancient order of Assassins in their shadowy, centuries-long war with the Knights Templar: a ruthlessness that transcends morality and law. Where there’s a weapon, there’s a way.
The plot is that most dreadful of mixes: both laughably silly and needlessly complicated. Fassbender stars as both a present-day murderer sentenced to death named Callum Lynch and his own ancestor: Aguilar de Nerha, a 15th-century Spanish assassin. Cotillard is a high-ranking Templar scientist hoping to use Callum to access Aguilar’s memories to discover the location of the Apple of Eden, which represents man’s first disobedience and therefore has the power to remove humanity’s violent impulses. Typical one-percenters that they are, the Templars intend to use the Apple as a means of controlling mankind by removing people’s free will. Sure, why not.
The accidental joke of the star of “Steve Jobs” running around looking for an apple is among the few amusing aspects of “Assassin’s Creed,” which despite the high level of talent assembled — Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson, Michael K. Williams and even Charlotte Rampling all appear as well — falls fall short of the mark. (Also unintentionally funny: an ill-advised plot twist that brings Kurzel’s film dangerously close to “National Treasure”/”Da Vinci Code” territory).
The ostensible point of such an enterprise (namely, to watch Fassbender slink through 15th-century Spain and silently dispatch bad guys) barely factors into the narrative. Instead it’s the present-day story that gets the lion’s share of attention, a convoluted framing device that’s more hindrance than help. Kurtzel and company seem intent on making this feel like a movie that happens to be based on a video game rather than a straight adaptation, an understandable aim that results in the worst of both worlds. The over-the-top silliness of “Resident Evil” or even “Mortal Kombat” would be preferable to this self-serious slog.
To access those murderous memories, Cotillard hooks Fassbender up to a rather expensive-looking machine called the Animus that allows/forces him to relive his ancestor’s exploits, but also threatens to unmoor his mind. Though ostensibly a star vehicle for Fassbender, the movie affords him precious little opportunity to showcase his talents in a manner similar to the “X-Men” franchise. It can be difficult, from one scene to the next, to gain a sense of whether or not we’re supposed to want Callum/Aguilar to succeed in this task; harder still is summoning the energy to care.
As in last year’s “Macbeth,” Kurzel fares best in battle sequences highlighting the ashen ugliness of imagined history in rich detail. When they finally come, sequences in which Fassbender bounds through antiquated environs and lives up to his oath provide a few spare thrills; a public execution, meanwhile, recalls the heightened reality of Ken Russell’s “The Devils” (minus the heresy).
Elsewhere, though, “Assassin’s’ Creed” is like playing a bad game and longing for the sweet release of the “game over” screen.
'Assassin's Creed' First Look at Michael Fassbender in Character, New Plot Details (Photo)
20th Century Fox released the first photo of Michael Fassbender from the upcoming "Assassin's Creed" movie on Thursday, in addition to new plot details.
Fassbender will play a man named Callum Lynch who discovers that he is the descendant of the secretive Assassain society, which is at war with the nefarious Knights Templar. Through a machine called the Animus, he is able to access the memories of his ancestor Aguilar, an Assassin in 15th century Spain.
The film is based on the popular Ubisoft video game series of the same name, though the character of Lynch/Aguilar was created specifically for the movie. Fassbender is producing in addition to starring alongside Marion Cotillard, Michael Kenneth Williams, and Ariane Labed.
"Assassin's Creed" opens in theaters Dec. 21, 2016.
Yahoo first reported this news.
20th Century Fox
11 Horrible Video Game Adaptations Before 'Pixels' (Video)
)
"Super Mario Bros." (1993)
Box Office: $20.9 million.
Mario himself, Bob Hoskins, has not only called this movie the worst job he's ever had, but it's also the biggest disappointment AND regret of his career.
)
"Double Dragon" (1994)
Box Office: $2.34 million.
In this wildly-inaccurate vision of 2007, the fate of a crappy city called "New Angeles" (L.A. and San Diego combined) will be decided by an ancient Chinese medallion, that alcoholic sibling on "Party of Five" and the T-1000 from "Terminator 2: Judgement Day." If the trailer doesn't scare you away, it's currently streaming on Netflix.
)
"Street Fighter" (1994)
Box Office: $99.4 million.
The goofy Jean-Claude Van Damme action movie nearly tripled it's $35 million budget internationally, but it was universally panned by critics. Perhaps the biggest flaw was the eventual appearance of fan favorite character Blanka -- a ferocious beast in the game, who just looked like a poorly-costumed actor in the movie.
)
"Wing Commander" (1999)
Box Office: $11.57 million.
This movie bombed in theaters, and was booed by critics. But at least this Freddy Prinze Jr. movie really, really, REALLY makes you appreciate "Star Wars." Even the prequels.
)
"House of the Dead" (2003)
Box Office: $13.8 million.
In this zombie video game adaptation's defense, it landed in theaters years before the public's hunger for the walking dead began. And it was directed by Uwe Boll.
)
"Alone in the Dark" (2005)
Box Office: $10.4 million.
The video game helped set the standard for survival horror, while the movie set the standard for the rest of Tara Reid's career. Uwe Boll was charged with bringing this to the big screen, as well.
)
"Doom" (2005)
Box Office: $55.98 million.
Before The Rock was box office viagra, he starred opposite Karl Urban in this $60 million first-person shooter adaptation that went limp at the box office.
)
"DOA: Dead or Alive" (2006)
Box Office: $7.5 million.
What happens when Eric Roberts rounds up a bunch of hot fighter chicks to fight for a $10 million prize "any time, anywhere"? Nothing good.
)
"In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale" (2008)
Box Office: $13 million.
Jason Statham, Ray Liotta and Burt Reynolds may have thought they were starring in the next "Lord of the Rings"-style fantasy epic (or they just needed a paycheck). But in reality, this adaptation of Microsoft role-playing game "Dungeon Siege" was just the next Uwe Boll bomb.
)
"Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li" (2009)
Box Office: $12.7 million (2009).
Hopes for some kind of redemption for the beloved Capcom fighting game -- or a Chris Klein comeback -- were immediately dashed when this "Street Fighter" got a beating from critics.
"Need for Speed" (2014)
Box Office: $43.6 million.
In his first lead big-screen role post-"Breaking Bad," Aaron Paul failed to rev up audiences playing a street racer who joins a cross-country race with revenge in mind.
1 of 11
As bad reviews pile up for Adam Sandler’s new film, here are 10 more awful video game-based movies that tanked
"Super Mario Bros." (1993)
Box Office: $20.9 million.
Mario himself, Bob Hoskins, has not only called this movie the worst job he's ever had, but it's also the biggest disappointment AND regret of his career.
Video game adaptation scheduled to debut in theaters Dec. 21, 2016
20th Century Fox released the first photo of Michael Fassbender from the upcoming "Assassin's Creed" movie on Thursday, in addition to new plot details.
Fassbender will play a man named Callum Lynch who discovers that he is the descendant of the secretive Assassain society, which is at war with the nefarious Knights Templar. Through a machine called the Animus, he is able to access the memories of his ancestor Aguilar, an Assassin in 15th century Spain.
The film is based on the popular Ubisoft video game series of the same name, though the character of Lynch/Aguilar was created specifically for the movie. Fassbender is producing in addition to starring alongside Marion Cotillard, Michael Kenneth Williams, and Ariane Labed.
"Assassin's Creed" opens in theaters Dec. 21, 2016.
Yahoo first reported this news.
20th Century Fox
11 Horrible Video Game Adaptations Before 'Pixels' (Video)
)
"Super Mario Bros." (1993)
Box Office: $20.9 million.
Mario himself, Bob Hoskins, has not only called this movie the worst job he's ever had, but it's also the biggest disappointment AND regret of his career.
)
"Double Dragon" (1994)
Box Office: $2.34 million.
In this wildly-inaccurate vision of 2007, the fate of a crappy city called "New Angeles" (L.A. and San Diego combined) will be decided by an ancient Chinese medallion, that alcoholic sibling on "Party of Five" and the T-1000 from "Terminator 2: Judgement Day." If the trailer doesn't scare you away, it's currently streaming on Netflix.
)
"Street Fighter" (1994)
Box Office: $99.4 million.
The goofy Jean-Claude Van Damme action movie nearly tripled it's $35 million budget internationally, but it was universally panned by critics. Perhaps the biggest flaw was the eventual appearance of fan favorite character Blanka -- a ferocious beast in the game, who just looked like a poorly-costumed actor in the movie.
)
"Wing Commander" (1999)
Box Office: $11.57 million.
This movie bombed in theaters, and was booed by critics. But at least this Freddy Prinze Jr. movie really, really, REALLY makes you appreciate "Star Wars." Even the prequels.
)
"House of the Dead" (2003)
Box Office: $13.8 million.
In this zombie video game adaptation's defense, it landed in theaters years before the public's hunger for the walking dead began. And it was directed by Uwe Boll.
)
"Alone in the Dark" (2005)
Box Office: $10.4 million.
The video game helped set the standard for survival horror, while the movie set the standard for the rest of Tara Reid's career. Uwe Boll was charged with bringing this to the big screen, as well.
)
"Doom" (2005)
Box Office: $55.98 million.
Before The Rock was box office viagra, he starred opposite Karl Urban in this $60 million first-person shooter adaptation that went limp at the box office.
)
"DOA: Dead or Alive" (2006)
Box Office: $7.5 million.
What happens when Eric Roberts rounds up a bunch of hot fighter chicks to fight for a $10 million prize "any time, anywhere"? Nothing good.
)
"In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale" (2008)
Box Office: $13 million.
Jason Statham, Ray Liotta and Burt Reynolds may have thought they were starring in the next "Lord of the Rings"-style fantasy epic (or they just needed a paycheck). But in reality, this adaptation of Microsoft role-playing game "Dungeon Siege" was just the next Uwe Boll bomb.
)
"Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li" (2009)
Box Office: $12.7 million (2009).
Hopes for some kind of redemption for the beloved Capcom fighting game -- or a Chris Klein comeback -- were immediately dashed when this "Street Fighter" got a beating from critics.
"Need for Speed" (2014)
Box Office: $43.6 million.
In his first lead big-screen role post-"Breaking Bad," Aaron Paul failed to rev up audiences playing a street racer who joins a cross-country race with revenge in mind.
1 of 11
As bad reviews pile up for Adam Sandler’s new film, here are 10 more awful video game-based movies that tanked
"Super Mario Bros." (1993)
Box Office: $20.9 million.
Mario himself, Bob Hoskins, has not only called this movie the worst job he's ever had, but it's also the biggest disappointment AND regret of his career.
