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		MPAA Rating: R (Restricted) Media: DVD

Editorial Review:
If Sylvester Stallone plays the world's number one assassin in this thriller, that must make Antonio Banderas, well, number two. The two are competing to hit the same target for a $20-million payoff, and their challenge takes them from explosion to explosion on a cat-and-mouse chase from Seattle to Mexico. Julianne Moore plays the cagey cat fancier and computer hacker who possesses a stolen computer disc that makes her a prime target for bad guys, and Robert Rath (Stallone) is only too happy to come to her defense. Director Richard Donner handles action sequences with adequate flair and has a good time blowing things up. Banderas has fun with the nonsensical plot, and Moore is enjoyable in one of her big-budget mainstream roles. --Jeff Shannon

Assassins [Region 2] Reviews:
Slow-moving, flawed, but still compelling and entertaining escapism.
2009-11-23 - I was interested to see the Wachowski brothers listed as writers for this film, which I would not have associated with their larger-than-life, over the top style. This is a slow-boiler of a film. Yes, there is enough action to go around, and plenty of "silenced" shootings, but the film *feels* slow nonetheless. Stallone is as competent as he gets in movies of this type (his performance is nearly identical to his portrayal of a bomb expert in The Specialist, which was released the year before Assassins), moving stolidly through the movie at a measured clip. Julianne Moore is interesting, if a bit under-utilized, though there is no real chemistry between the two (and none is required). Antagonist Miguel Bain, overacted rabidly by Antonio Banderas, sweats and twitches and exclaims his way through his scenes as if his life depends on it, and while he's fun, one grows a little tired of watching him. It's as if there's no "off" switch on Antonio this time out; one wonders if the actor himself got tired of the shaking, perspiring, gun-toting "kid" he was already a little too old to be playing.

The movie leaves many plot holes unaddressed -- holes that perhaps needn't be addressed simply because they exist from the movie's first moments. Who is Robert Rath? How did he get his training at the hands of his Russian mentor? How did they meet? How did Rath get hooked up with his contractor in the first place, as they communicate only through computers using the generic, plot-driven, impossibly fast operating systems available only in the universe of movies? How is it that the trail of bullet-riddled bodies both Banderas' and Stallone's characters leave behind them are never a liability, even in passing? Why aren't both men the target of investigations by multiple law enforcement agencies? And just how long can you sit in the balcony of a hotel room with a rifle pointing into a public square before somebody notices you and thinks perhaps that you're up to no good?

Overall, despite the flaws I've just underscored, this is an interesting and entertaining movie, if only because a shadowy world in which dangerous men make their livings quietly killing other dangerous men is compelling. The tone for this is set immediately as the film opens, with Stallone marching a fellow assassin into a swamp to end his life for some unnamed (but presumably contracted) reason. Watching it requires more than a little suspension of disbelief, and enjoying it may indeed be a guilty pleasure -- but it is a pleasure nonetheless.

Recommended!
2009-05-22 - Even if you don't like any of the actors: they give value for money with Banderas giving a bravura performance second only to "The Mask of Zorro". Donner & Co. did us proud.

Stallone & Banderas
2009-01-10 - I saw this years ago and loved it. I love the banter between Banderas and Stallone. Banderas is an "up-and-coming" punk assassin and wants to prove to himself that he is number 1. Stallone is "old school" and the current number 1. He has ethics... if there is such a thing with assassins. But Stallone wants out. The past and the things he as done haunt him. But now he has a new problem.... Banderas keeps taking his contracts and then tries to kill him.

Now... its survival of the "best". Julianne Moore is a quirky "mark" who gets caught in the middle of an elaborate chess game. Her and Stallone bond under unusual circumstances. He helps keep her alive, and they become partners in this adventure/thriller.

The technology is old... DOS computers, but you can see how it all fits... and I'm sure it was advanced for its time.

The ending is really good! Combining the old past(back flashes) with the current situation. Watch the details.

If you like Stallone and Banderas... you will love this film.

Another one I like is "The Specialist" with Stallone and Sharon Stone... same genre.

Action Classic
2008-10-16 - Assassins is an oft-overlooked classic action movie, an excellent thriller delivered by director Joel Silver and the screenplay-writing Wachowski brothers. The story is about Robert Rath (Stallone), an assassin who gets his contracts via the computer. Rath wants to quit the sordid business, but he can't say no to the last big job, retrieving a computer disc and killing the mark, in this case an encrypter played by Julianne Moore.

Antonio Banderas is a young assassin who enjoys his work way too much, who idolizes and hates Rath. For some reason, Banderas keeps turning up at Robert's contracts. Also for some inexplicable reason, Rath chooses to protect the cat-loving computer genius instead of kill her.

Lots of great car chases, gun fights, stunts, and hilarious, over-the-top acting from Banderas. He and Stallone go well together; I hope someday, they will team up again.

Action start to finish
2007-06-01 - When I put this DVD in, and hit play, action started. The whole way through the 2 hour movie, there is action non stop, clear up to the end in the "No Goodbyes" scene. This is a great movie. My favorite part was in the taxi when Robert Rath (Stallone) And Miguel Bain (Banderas) meet.

If youre a fan of either Banderas or Stallone, then I strongly suggest this movie to you.