Today’s quick review: Assassination Games. To lure world-class assassin Roland Flint (Scott Adkins) out of hiding, a trio of crooked Interpol agents arrange for Polo Yakur (Ivan Kaye), the criminal who beat Flint’s wife into a coma, to be released from prison as bait. But Flint is not the only one who wants the contract on Polo. To get his revenge, he’ll have to beat rival assassin Vincent Brazil (Jean-Claude Van Damme) to his target.
Assassination Games is a violent action movie about a pair of assassins intent on killing the same mark. Assassination Games delivers solid action and a reasonably well-developed plot, making it a decent pick for action fans who don’t mind a bit of gore. However, its bleak tone and joyless characters make it a heavier watch than the usual action romp. The result is a competent but unexceptional action movie with decent fundamentals and a few visible flaws.
Assassination Games handles the bread and butter of the action genre well. Its plot pits two rival assassins off one another in interesting ways, first as enemies, then reluctant allies. Between the two assassins, the criminal they’re after, and the crooked Interpol agents, there are enough parties working at cross purposes to set up a couple of good twists and betrayals. The action is well-choreographed and sprinkled liberally throughout the movie.
But Assassination Games has two major weaknesses that hold it back. First of all, Scott Adkins is a swing and a miss. Jean-Claude Van Damme hits the sweet spot as a cold, professional assassin protagonist; Scott Adkins misses the mark. Second of all, Assassination Games has a grim tone that puts a damper on the action. Innocents die, often in brutal ways, and even Roland and Vincent’s triumphs are only partial victories. It is not a light watch.
Give Assassination Games a watch when you’re an action fan who’s in the mood for something a little darker. Nothing about the film is exceptional, but competent action and just enough in the way of plot make it a decent pick. For a slick assassin movie with better action and more style, try out John Wick. For a violent one with a more bombastic tone, try Smokin’ Aces. For a more thoughtful, fulfilling look at a hitman’s life, try The Professional.
6.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for good action backed by a decent plot, but little else.