Review of Assassin's Creed (2016) by Jo N — 10 Mar 2017

Everything is permitted. Even this movie too. You have to treat this as a blockbuster movie, even though it came out in the holidays of 2016. But for gamers who are familiar with the franchise, such as myself, it's a movie added to the lore of Assassin's Creed. Take no heed of what others have said and take it upon yourself to watch this movie. With or without the familiarization of the video game franchise. This can be treated as like any other movie, regardless of being a movie that's part of the video game franchise. Like Warcraft, like Star Trek, and the other movies, you can treat this as another blockbuster movie. You don't have to know the whole lore unless you want to play the video games but if you do, I suggest starting from the first game.

But other than that, the story is quite fast paced and straight to the point. Just like the hidden blades they used to go after their targets. While the Spain era of oppression and religious fanatics was brief but adventurous, in the real life world we see our protagonist named Callum Lynch who is being used to find the Apple of Eden. An ancient device, that whoever possess it, can change the world. While it may not be much of what it is said about the Apple of Eden, it is quite mysterious and powerful device. Witnessing it video games, showcased it. However, in the movie it just a small device that doesn't give a powerful impact to the viewer on how important it really is. Hopefully a future sequel can elaborate more on that. It took a couple of games in the video game franchise, so why not for the movies?

A lot of critics and what not have despised this thought to be an "adaptation" of the video game franchise, when it is actually a unique story to the video game franchise. Better yet, it is also set in the same universe as the video games so quite canonical. What's surprising is we get to meet the CEO of Abstergo Industries, who is none other than Jeremy Irons as Rikkin.

The fights in the movie are spectacular and some moves are expected, just like in the video games but even more immersive and thrilling to see Assassins perform in a live action movie. Michael Fassbender who plays as Callum Lynch and also the character's ancestor, Aguilar de Nerha, did an impressive performance in the game. I don't know how this guy does it. First in 300, in Prometheus, playing as Magento, and now a Spanish Assassin from the Brotherhood in the 1400s. Also let's not forget the cunning and yes, the beautiful Ariane Labed as Maria. The love interest of Aguilar. Fighting solo and especially waltzing with Aguilar in combat is compelling and amazing.

The whole story is quite fast paced but I like it and I don't think the audiences want to sit and listen to the whole backstory of any kind of history. All you need to know is that there is a centuries of war between the Templars and the Brotherhood of the Assassins. While that's going on, you meet notable characters along the way like Callum Lynch and Sophia.

Now about the animus. It is the most advanced I've ever seen. Usually it's just someone laying on a chair and you just synchronize with your mind. This version of the animus is the whole shabang. Not only do you synchronize with you mind but also with your body. Callum Lynch does this and learn within a couple of days. You'll know why it's such a feat, when you watch the movie.

Assassin's Creed movie breaks another wall that video games can also turn into cinematic movies. Mortal Kombat did that as well as Warcraft. We're in a start of an era where video games are being adapted since Hollywood have ran out of ideas as usual and have done their part on adapting the books. While I'm not entirely too sure about all this but already watched Assassin's Creed and Warcraft, I think in this day and age, it can work for sure. With the right and considerate writers, a director, producer, etc. a video game adaptation into a movie can really work. Assassin's Creed is one of them. You don't have to be a fan of the video game franchise, it even start with this movie, if you will. Give it a shot. Take a leap of faith and use your Eagle Vision on this movie.