Assassins (1995)

Sly Stallone stars as an ageing assassin who gets embroiled in a cat and mouse game with a younger assassin who wants to be number one of the trade. Teaming up with a computer hacker, Stallone battles not only his pursuer but also an event from his past that troubles him so.With Antonio Banderas and Julianne Moore in starry support, Richard Donner in the director's chair and the Wachowski brothers on writing duties, Assassins held the promise of a top line actioner. Sadly that promise is not met.There's clear signs of the makers trying to make something more deep and cerebral, what ultimately transpires is a overly complicated - and way over long - picture. Punctured with great action scenes, none more so than an outrageous taxi ride that John Woo would be proud of, it's in the middle section where pic drags itself into needless slumber. By this mid-point, one has had enough of Banderas, who comes off more like a deranged excitable kid than someone to be feared. Donner really falters there, but conversely he gets an interestingly engaging tune out of Stallone. Moore is very good, and gets some good dialogue to spout, which is a rarity, though, since much of the chatter is mumbled or said in such agitated or broody manner that the sound mix strains for aural clarification.It's not a stinker, and in its own way it's a diverting time waster, but too many holes and too many poor production desicions leave it knocking at the averageville door. 5/10

This is a very well made film; locations are dark and gloomy, and even when there are lots of people around and lots of things happening in the area there is still a feeling of menace, that our protagonists can't let their guard down. There are no awful one-liners that I can recall, the action is well-paced and the script is well-written. This is not a corny film by any means. The actors themselves have to take much of the credit for the quality of the production. Stallone of course takes top billing, and he manages to prove that he is able to take serious roles without lapsing into "buddy" style ("Tango and Cash" being a prime example of this) or carbon-copy action hero mode. In itself this is quite an achievement, especially when he already has an image. Julianne Moore is, in this film, starting to cut her teeth in the business and really brings life to Electra. She gives Electra real character and you actually give a damn what happen to her, unlike most female leads who just seem to be there to scream, cling to the hero character or just have horrible things happen to them.The film has some great action, and great direction from Richard Donner. Everyone and everything in the film makes it great. The whole story with the two rival assassins trying to kill each other and steal each other's jobs I think was really fun and interesting to watch. Stallone and Banderas have good chemistry on the screen, and the intensity is what makes the film great. This film has a number of action scenes that are not too over the top and are not riddled with special effects. All in all this film describes the way of an assassin, lonely, remote, discrete and will provide you with around two hours of suspense.Overall rating: 7 out of 10.

For what it is suppose to be, this is a very entertaining and smart film. The Assassins is a film about two Assassins who go up against each other, and only the best Assassin is going to walk away alive from this. The film is written by the very talented Matrix writers Wachowski Brothers, who do and absolute legend at making their stories very entertaining.Stallone and Banderas not only do a good job in this film, but they actually have really great chemistry on set. They are the perfect actors to play against each other, show casing their ability to be deadly assassins. The film unpredictable, and a really cool twist at the end, that you won't see coming!. I loved the mind games between Stallone and Banderas, they were a LOT of fun to watch, and see them try to outsmart each other was a treat!. It's very intelligent, with only a few plot holes, plus the chemistry between Stallone and Julianne Moore was great!. It's One of Stallone's best Non Rocky films, and one of his best performances too!

Antonio Banderas is outstanding in this movie and no one has put this in his resume. He was great!! He stole the show from Stallone. Great actor love his craziness!! Antonio kicked butt!! One of the best action movies and never mentioned as a top rated movie. Beats a lot of movies these days. Today is nothing like yesterday!! I would love to see Stallone and Banderas in another movie together there was great chemistry. I hope there are other viewers who agree with me on this. I'm hoping to stop writing now but the guidelines saying i need more text! i hope they will now take this or i will scream!Okay i'm screaming now i have nothing else to write-hello. OMG finally!!!