American Assassin

Director: Michael Cuesta

Cast: Dylan O’Brien, Michael Keaton, Sanaa Lathan

The previews to this movie really intrigued me. The style seemed cool, and they got Michael Keaton to look like a total bad ass. I had high hopes.

CHARACTERS: no one stunk up the joint. Some of the accents were a bit difficult to understand in some cases. Dylan O’Brien was just believable enough as an action star. I just wished he didn’t look so sad all the time, and got to show a bit more range. Michael Keaton was great, but the plot didn’t do him any favors. Same with Sanaa Lathan… good actress, kind of a one note character.

STORY: it’s my own fault. I was expecting some real world, Jason Bourne type of storyline. It’s actually more of a “TV’s 24 starring a James Kirk/Maverick hero” type of story. Fantastic opening but then progressed to more formulaic. Definitely more a 90’s action movie vibe where the hero can run and open fire in the middle of a crowded street in a foreign country, with no consequences and no one batting an eye.

OVERALL: slightly better than your average, meat head Jason Statham/Liam Neeson ‘B’ action movie, and better than the Jack Reacher flicks, but not as impressive as the early Bourne or the newer John Wick films. Worth a rental at least.

Grade 2.5 out of 5

-“Marquee Mark ” Markellus