The Assassin

Well Go USA Entertainment | Release Date: October 16, 2015

6.3	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 89 Ratings

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LeZeeJun 14, 2016

The truth determines our actions.

I found this film when it was listed in the BBC news' top 20 films of the 2015. This film topped the chart, then how can I just ignore which is my prime world news feed. The fun part was I saw a SouthThe truth determines our actions.

I found this film when it was listed in the BBC news' top 20 films of the 2015. This film topped the chart, then how can I just ignore which is my prime world news feed. The fun part was I saw a South Korean film called 'Assassination' believed to be this, but very I soon realised the mistake. Anyhow, I loved the Korean film that I reviewed a couple of moths ago on this same blog.

Finally, I managed to see this Mandarin film, but it was not anything like I've been expecting. Critically acclaimed film, but commercially failed because of the slow narration. Jointly produced by China-Hong Kong-Taiwan, but selected as a Taiwanese entry to the Oscars that failed to make a progress to the main event.

Not everybody can easily follow this narration. Because this is not a typical historical film presentation with a clear introduction like in the background voice or in the texts, except in the opening that letting us know where and how it begins. The lack of the character development is the factor for all the complication. So I strongly suggest to read the synopsis before the watch and have a look at the film character infographic once finished watching.

The story sets in the 8th century China during the final years of the Tang Dynasty. When a well trained assassin failed to accomplish the mission directed by her master, she is sent to another province for another assignment where she starts to remember her past that she has some connection with her undertaking. With all the bad things happening in and around the royal family, state politics et cetera, the rift is inevitable that anytime the dynasty might fall. The remaining the tale reveals how the film ends with a realistic approach.

"The way of the sword is pitiless. Saintly virtues play no part in it. Your skills are matchless, but your mind is hostage to human sentiments."

I am a film fanatic, so basically I love all the films I watch. But I prefer entertainment the most, followed by the message, education, inspiration, true events et cetera. I had seen many films like this that I mostly ended up unsatisfied. Because a film without the background score as same as silent lullaby. Speaking of music, when the film was in the final scene there came a music which I compare to oasis. That's the beautiful sound I have heard in this entire narration. Slow camera panning and fixed cameras for minutes is what I disliked in it or any similar themed films.

I appreciate the effort to preserve the historical account in a film format, but the type of narration matters a lot if they expect the audiences backing. A film like this is specially made for film festivals, surely critics love it and as I heard they did. I can't believe even if the film critics failed to recognise what would be the film's fate.

So it is a slow film then, but when the stunt sequences appeared, I was thrilled with my full attention. Well composed realistic fights, that's what anybody remembers when they think of Chinese films. But I warn you this is not a complete martial art film except now and then you encounter such scenes. It is not even a horror, but there was a scene with smoke which scared the hell out of me. I was not expecting such thing, besides, I was bored to death when this thing came I woke up.

The film was shot in the beautiful outdoor places. Apart from the stunts, I loved the landscapes which were just resembled the classical Chinese paintings. I did not find any performances that impressive. I appreciate their effort, but since the story was told without anyone's particular perspective, felt like everyone had equal scope for their roles.

Overall, I did not like the film and I'm not suggesting it to anybody. But if you are interested in the Chinese ancient history or love the art films then you could try it. This is first low rated film to review on this blog which is I've been avoiding since the beginning, but decided to write for all kinds of rating now onwards.

3/10… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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remoadventureFeb 26, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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YorkManJan 16, 2016

Films designed for audiences of a specific country/filmed in a specific language only tend to fare well internationally if the conform to dedicated tropes established as being popular by existing audiences.

Unfortunately for WesternFilms designed for audiences of a specific country/filmed in a specific language only tend to fare well internationally if the conform to dedicated tropes established as being popular by existing audiences.

Unfortunately for Western audiences, The Assassin doesn't do this.

As a film it's meticulously crafted, well directed, gorgeous cinematography, fine acting and, for a film that includes martial arts sequences, well choreographed.

The problem for the vast majority of Westerners, who might not appreciate all those positives, is that the story the film is expressing has absolutely no resonance to anyone without a knowledge of Chinese history and the books/novels that have turned the stories into legends.

The Assassin tells one such tale, but as it's marketed/filmed/produced for the Chinese, it pays absolutely no lip service to a global audience.

The result? It's a very slow and seemingly ostentatious mess. Dialogue plays second fiddle to the visuals, meaning there are huge gaps filled with complete silence as the camera pans across a room etc that never draws you in.

I, personally, am a massive fan of Oriental cinema (and have been for 30 years), and despite my own understanding of the visuals and the subtle references made within them, the movie really dragged on.

Disappointing, is the most flattering term for the film I can think of.… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

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EpicLadySpongeFeb 2, 2016

I'm sorry, there's no positive reviews here? Then I'm going to make one.... people giving it a negative review MUST immediately go to my profile to see something worse. Otherwise, just go sit there and be lazy all day. This movie perfectlyI'm sorry, there's no positive reviews here? Then I'm going to make one.... people giving it a negative review MUST immediately go to my profile to see something worse. Otherwise, just go sit there and be lazy all day. This movie perfectly destroyed my mind.… Expand

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

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BertoflyingfoxJan 15, 2016

I'll start off by saying Qi Shu deserves recognition for her fight choreography in this movie, it was spectacular. Props to the whole crew involved with that.

Sadly I didnt enjoy much of the film. While the landscapes were beautiful,I'll start off by saying Qi Shu deserves recognition for her fight choreography in this movie, it was spectacular. Props to the whole crew involved with that.

Sadly I didnt enjoy much of the film. While the landscapes were beautiful, scenes just hung there with characters that have nothing to say to each other. "Silence" describes this movie well. I would've liked more dialogue explaining these complex characters/situations and a lot more fight scenes because (again) they were top-of-the-line.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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SuagarApr 11, 2018

Beautiful Film Cultural Dream Like an Assassin that comes in the night when your least expecting an Assassin that has her own will makes her own decisions

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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CheekySasquatchDec 8, 2015

It doesn't matter how you cut it the only thing this movie had going for it was cinematography, It may be a technical marvel but if it can't keep me from falling asleep or the people in my theatre from leaving in droves it does not comeIt doesn't matter how you cut it the only thing this movie had going for it was cinematography, It may be a technical marvel but if it can't keep me from falling asleep or the people in my theatre from leaving in droves it does not come anywhere close to getting a pass from me. Two films came out this year that had brilliant cinematography and very little dialogue, the difference is mad max didn't put me to sleep and it had action scenes that pushed the story forward rather than happen in the background and force the audience to squint to even make out what's happening. Try again in another 6 years pal.… Expand

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

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hotfromcauldronOct 21, 2015

Two NoDoz and a tab of LSD and you just might be able to keep your eyes open and watch the beautiful painting dry. The other people in my row were snoring - so thankfully there were titles - for the limited dialogue.
An artsy fartsy fav thatTwo NoDoz and a tab of LSD and you just might be able to keep your eyes open and watch the beautiful painting dry. The other people in my row were snoring - so thankfully there were titles - for the limited dialogue.
An artsy fartsy fav that makes you wonder how a martial arts film can be sooooo boring.… Expand

4 of 11 users found this helpful47

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dinovanOct 24, 2015

Boring and pretentious.
The critics seem to love this movie, but the audience left in droves when I saw it at the NZ film festival.
The director loves to have long lingering shots of scenery, and in one case goats! The sparse use ofBoring and pretentious.
The critics seem to love this movie, but the audience left in droves when I saw it at the NZ film festival.
The director loves to have long lingering shots of scenery, and in one case goats!
The sparse use of dialogue does not help maintain any interest in the cardboard characters.… Expand

3 of 10 users found this helpful37

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Meth-dudeMay 15, 2019

Despite it's very slow pace and a confusing story for anyone unfamiliar with Chinese history (myself included), The Assassin still offers great set pieces, good acting performances, well executed battle scenes and gorgeous cinematography,Despite it's very slow pace and a confusing story for anyone unfamiliar with Chinese history (myself included), The Assassin still offers great set pieces, good acting performances, well executed battle scenes and gorgeous cinematography, that should keep you at the very least interested.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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BroyaxAug 10, 2019

Une chinoiserie assassine qui assassine la veille des spectateurs éventuels qui se seraient égarés dans cette prétention interminable qui semble durer des heures... On y brasse en effet des courants d'air et on y charrie de la merde à n'enUne chinoiserie assassine qui assassine la veille des spectateurs éventuels qui se seraient égarés dans cette prétention interminable qui semble durer des heures... On y brasse en effet des courants d'air et on y charrie de la merde à n'en plus pouvoir. Difficile de rester éveillé devant cette réalisation à deux de tension et ces longs plans comateux qui suivent des comédiens figés et inexpressifs. De toute façon, ça raconte de la merde mal déguisée au service de la propagande communiste. J'ai quand même reconnu la jolie et charmante Shu Qi, quasi-méconnaissable ici tant elle s'avère amorphe (en overdose de Prozac sans doute) comme tout le reste du film.

D'ailleurs, c'est tellement pédant que ça commence en noir et blanc et en quatre tiers, pour continuer en couleur... mais toujours en quatre tiers. Putain... mais auto-assassine-toi !… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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jgonclvMay 26, 2022

It's just laughable the pseudo intellectual opinions on this movie. An assassin who doesn't do its job for pointless and stupid reasons. Characters that just show up and disappear with no interest at all in the story. The script is dismallyIt's just laughable the pseudo intellectual opinions on this movie. An assassin who doesn't do its job for pointless and stupid reasons. Characters that just show up and disappear with no interest at all in the story. The script is dismally bad. Insipid and irrelevant fight scenes. I tried to watch it more than 20 times and always fall asleep, because it's that dreadful and boring. When I finally watched it wholy I just laughed in the end.
The cinematography is good, and that's the only reason the movie has a 1. The probable best example of how good the movie is, is that near the end there's a 1 minute or so scene of sheep inside a fence. Yep, it's intellectual and profound. Obnoxious movie, don't waste any minute of your life watching this. There are plenty of interesting wuxia movies, so just avoid this one.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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