"We work in the dark to serve the light."
Most video game properties that get movie adaptations for the big screen tend to stray away from the lore that made it so beloved by its fans in order to impart a sense of realism and believability for cinematic purposes. It's a hit or miss Hollywood formula that has persisted over time, but most video game companies who own these properties are quite protective of their IPs want to have a controlling stake on things to ensure that the transition to film is a smooth one. In the case of Ubisoft and their long-running Assassin's Creed action adventure series, it was high time for the franchise to take the brave step into getting a feature film made - one that is set in the same universe as the games but tells a completely original story that introduces a new set of characters into the mix. With a diverse cast of talents that includes Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard and reuniting the two with their Macbeth film director Justin Kurzel, the first Ubisoft Motion Pictures produced film in "Assassin's Creed" has hit cinemas - co-produced and distributed by 20th Century Fox and bringing the signature free-running action and stealth that the games are known for into live-action cinema for the first time.
Special thanks goes to 20th Century Fox Philippines again for the screening last December 20th - one of the last films I saw before the end of 2016! Here's a pic of me and my fellow Assassins attending the screening in cosplay!
Set primarily in 2016 but also featuring memories and events set during the time of the Spanish Inquisition in the 15th Century, Assassin's Creed sees Michael Fassbender star as Callum Lynch - a man who witnesses a traumatic event in his childhood that shapes him into a drifter who is about to be executed for killing a man who tried to mug him. His execution is staged and he is rescued by the Abstergo Foundation - who transport Lynch to a facility in Madrid, Spain to undergo a process where he will relieve the memories of his ancestor Aguilar de Nerha via a device known as the Animus. Under the guidance of scientist Sophia Rikkin and the supervision of her father and Abstergo CEO Alan Rikkin, Callum is thrust into the century long battle between the Assassins and Templars, as they fight over an ancient artifact known as the "Apple of Eden" - which has the ability to control humanity's free will. It is through this journey that Callum discovers his ties to the Assassins, and why they battle to protect the human race from absolute control and dominion by The Templar Order.
As the first film straight from Ubisoft's newest subsidiary company that focuses on creating movies based on their properties, Assassin's Creed has a lot riding on it that makes it a test run that will have a lot of bumps on the road yet is full of potential at the same time. Michael Fassbender delivers a pretty typical performance as Callum Lynch - someone who is not the hero type and hides a lot of anger inside of him that is perfect for the actor's caliber coming from his performance as a younger Magneto in 20th Century Fox's X-Men Movies. However, his dual role as Callum's ancestor Aguilar is a different story - a driven and focused member of the Assassin order whose skills and agility are greatly displayed when it comes to the scenes set in 15th Century Spain. Fassbender's scenes with the Animus takes great liberties in displaying the acrobatics and learnings his character goes through while reliving his ancestor's memories, and while it looks a bit too exaggerated it does get the message across that he is inheriting those skills and learning them at the same time.
Story wise, Assassin's Creed doesn't dance around to make the plot as convoluted as its source material - instead relying on a simple narrative where the main character is put through a journey and discovers more to his lineage than he previously though. Marion Cotillard shares the spotlight with Fassbender as scientist Sophia Rikkin, who is genuinely seeking a cure to humanity's violent condition and is not doing experiments in the name of the Templar Order. The same cannot be said for her father and Abstergo CEO Alan, Played by Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons to great effect - manipulating everything behind the scenes and takes the credit for his daughter's achievements. Eventually, all things come to a head and Callum's time with Abstergo and the Animus shows him the truth about his past and his connections to the Assassin Order.
Overall, Assassin's Creed has many Hollywood tropes and excessive cinematic additions that go over and above the games that the film franchise could do without, but it takes a leap of faith and gives audiences a sampling at the potential that this series and Ubisoft Motion Pictures have at bringing the action and lore the games have enjoyed into the big screen. The film certainly ended in a note where it is open to sequels, and while it isn't a perfect syncronized journey there is room for more exploration to make this the first big step in improving the video game movie adaptation market much like the games have with each successive entry. As the creed goes - "Nothing is True. Everything is Permitted", and I look forward to more from this franchise.
Assassin's Creed is now showing in Philippine cinemas and distributed by 20th Century Fox PH!
Rating - 3/5
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