The Assassinator

Director - David Kent-Watson (Firestar: First Contact, G.B.H.)

Starring - Sam Barker, Anna Cachia (Cutthroat Island, Final Justice), and Geraard Campbell 

Release Date - 1992

Genre - Action

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I hate that I was sent this Bloody Legend: The Cliff Twemlow Collection and I've had to write negative reviews for most of the films in the set.  I really wanted to like them but these films were not for me.  In fact, I don't know who these films are for.  I'm sure they are fun to watch with a group of people and some beer but fans of direct to video or S.O.V. action will struggle to find enjoyment with these.  Anyway, as I work my way through the set I find myself about to set sail with the 1992 action flick The Assassinator, aka The Hitman.  

     The film follows a hitman that works for a covert organization who finds himself forced to kill his superior when his wife is kidnapped by his long time rival.  

     The Assassinator, or The Hitman, was a film that almost had it.  It wasn't as bad as some of the previous films in the set.  In fact, I found myself somewhat enjoying it for the most part but was ready to turn it off by the time the film hit it's very predictable final act.  I seriously wanted to like it, and did at first, but found the predictability and horrible acting to be too much after the hour mark.  The acting in this one is probably the stiffest out of all the films in the set.  The cast isn't that bad but it consisted mostly of people with no experience or someone that joined just so they could get an exotic vacation out of the deal.  With that being said, I was very surprised to see the late Ronald Lacey appear in a role as big as it was.  While most of you may remember him for his iconic face melting scene in Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark, some of us (myself included) may remember him for his roles in several British series like Masterpiece Mystery and The Ray Bradbury Theater.  He was a phenomenal actor and he stole every scene he was in here.  The story for this one is very predictable but it starts out strong.  However, once you hit the midway mark you find yourself predicting each scene before it plays out.  It's a fun game to play at first but any game with cheat codes enabled, it becomes boring as you progress.  I liked the hitman working for a secret group forced to kill his superior.  It's a fun angle especially for a no budget S.O.V. action flick but that seems to be the extent of all that they had written.  The film seems to be fly by the seat and was written as they were filming once they found locations abroad.  It becomes even more predictable than it already was while being extremely dull.  This "action" film has a little more action than previous films in the set but it doesn't have enough to be considered that.  Finally, those looking for some action flicks with explosions and fun fights will be very disappointed.  You get a few "fight" scenes that reminded me a lot school plays along with a lot of talking.  Overall, The Assassinator is not an action packed "action" flick that is predictable and dull for the most part.  The lack of story really hurts this one.  I did like it for a brief moment but that wore off before too long.  Like most in this set, I'd skip this one unless you are like me then may like to see movies that are often overlooked.