Assassin’s Creed
The other kind of Blade Runner
released OUT NOW! 2016 | 12 | 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray 3d/ Blu-ray/dVd/download/ VOd
Director Justin Kurzel Cast Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons
While plenty of critics happily skewered this adaptation of the free-running videogame franchise with the series’ iconic hidden blade, there’s actually plenty to enjoy here if you don’t mind wading through the initial tidal wave of exposition.
Director Justin Kurzel copes as well as he can with the source material – man can relive the memories of his ancestors when plugged into an enormous metal claw known as the Animus and, oh yeah, there are two eternally warring factions, one of whom always has its hoods up – and an A-list cast adds credibility as Callum Lynch (Michael Fassbender) is imprisoned by the modern-day Templars and plunged into the past.
Assassin’s Creed has always been about making history a playground, and it’s here where the movie excels. Diving into the exhilarating Spanish Inquisitionera action with Callum’s ancestor Aguilar, Kurzel keeps talk to a minimum and instead focuses on breathless free-running sequences and perfectly choreographed combat. The 21st century scenes don’t live up to the historical setting until the third act, leaving things feeling a little uneven, but a rollicking good-fun revenge plot eventually kicks off. With a sequel teased, hopefully this doesn’t have to be game over.
Extras On DVD, a five-part behind-the-scenes doc is short at around 40 minutes, but includes plenty of fun info; you also get a gallery of concept art and stills. Fans will want to get the Blu-ray, which adds 15 minutes of deleted scenes. One features Assassins from across four of the games, and there’s the intriguing reveal of Lara, a key character who ended up on the cutting room floor. You also get a conversation between Kurzel and his editor (21 minutes) about the deleted material, and four snippets of Kurzel interview. Louise Blain