The opening moments immediately suggest problems with the filmmaking. The storyline isn’t particularly fresh; however, it manages to be somewhat enjoyable. But there are two things that become apparent very early on: 1. The sequences involving the main character and his fiancée feel drawn out, intended to foster an emotional connection with audiences. Whether or not this succeeds is up for debate. 2. When …

The film initially evokes memories of the Tunisian beach attacks that occurred in 2015, depicting a scenario where "Rapp" (Dylan O'Brien) and his girlfriend become embroiled in a shooting with devastating consequences. Fueled by a desire for retribution, Rapp’s actions draw the attention of the CIA, leading to an arrangement where he undergoes intense ninja training under the guidance of “Hurley” (Michael Keaton). Co…

I'd been meaning to watch this movie for ages, and I finally got around to it yesterday. Honestly, I didn’t think it was that bad. It isn’t a classic film by any stretch, but it’s a pretty good action/revenge story. Dylan O’Brien doesn’t really stand out as the lead; his performance felt underwhelming. Michael Keaton, however, did a commendable job with his role. There's a fair amount of action throughout, and …

There’s really no point in investing the time to see this; the storyline is familiar territory that’s been done countless times. You’d be better off finding something else to occupy yourself with.

It’s possible that _American Assassin_ is simply the least remarkable film released this year. The promotional material initially caught my attention, and I was pleased by Michael Keaton's appearance—he does look good, it must be said—but experiencing the movie itself left me feeling strangely empty. It’s hard to even suggest watching _American Assassin_ just for something to have on while you do other things. Fi…