Review: Assassin’s Creed 4K/BD + Screen Caps

THE MOVIE — 3.0/5

Note: This review contains some plot spoilers. Readers beware.

The plot centers around convicted murderer Callum Lynch (MICHAEL FASSBENDER) who is on death row – as I recall, who he murdered never was expanded upon – who is executed but brought back to life courtesy of Sofia Rikkin (MARION COTILLARD), the lead scientist working for Abstergo which is run by her father, Alan Rikkin (JEREMY IRONS).

The reason for bringing Cal to this company is that he is the descendent of a member of Assassin’s Creed, an organization dating back to the 15th century assigned to protect the Apple of Eden which contains the genetic code for free will and was sought after by the Templars to dominate the human race. Sofia has developed a device called an Animus which allows the Cal to be generically connected to his ancestor, Aguilar. Through this, somehow, some way, they can see what he sees while he battles foes back in time and gets closer to finding the location of the apple.

Honestly, I don’t really know how the thing works but at least the sequences in the past have some decent stunt work…

In any case, at the Abstergo facility, located in Madrid (what luck as discovered in the finale), houses other descendents of the Assassin’s Brotherhood who have used the Animus though Cal is the closest they have to find the apple. Others inside, including Moussa (MICHAEL K. WILLIAMS) believe he will turn over the apple to this company who intend to use to end world violence. Again, not sure how exactly that works, but I guess you just go with it.

Video game adaptations don’t exactly have the best track record and from my memory maybe the best would be Tomb Raider but even that one is better known for Angelina Jolie’s, ahem, assets more so than the story. The latest adaptation is Assassin’s Creed and being up front, while I have heard of the game I’ve never played a single second of it.

I actually didn’t think Assassin’s Creed is a bad film but not so much for a plot that was at times more confusing than it need be nor because of Jeremy Irons was quite constrained as the primary bad guy (so don’t expect Dungeons and Dragons bad-s over-the-top crazy) or for Marion Cotillard who does give a better performance versus The Dark Knight Rises, but instead Michael Fassbender really makes the film tolerable and, at times, even fun. It’s no surprise because he was a highlight in the young X-Men movies (albeit his Magneto was inept in Apocalypse).

The film was helmed by Justin Kurzel in his first big budget Hollywood film, presumably getting the job following working with star (and producer) Fassbender on Macbeth, a movie I never could quite get into. Visually speaking, with help by his director of photography, and fellow Aussie, Adam Arkapaw (True Detective, The Light Between Oceans, Macbeth), there is a lot to like from Kurzel and I can’t quite blame him for the writing.

SPECIAL FEATURES – 4.0/5

This release comes with a matted slip cover and inside is a redemption code for the Digital HD copy.

Take the Pledge: Behind the Scenes of Assassin’s Creed (41:05; HD) – This is a making-of featurette split into five parts (with a play all option) expanding on the origins of the source material and developing it into feature film form.

• Legacy of Assassin’s Creed (7:54)
• Becoming an Assassin (6:24)
• Tools of the Trade (9:00)
• In the Realm of Realism (9:45)
• Swift Moves and Stealth Maneuvers (8:20)

Conversations with Justin Kruzel (20:22; HD) – The director discusses with various participants in their respective fields as outlined below:

• The Score (5:38) – Composer (and brother) Jed Kurzel
• The Cut (4:46) – Editor Christopher Tellefsen
• The Effects (5:02) – Visual Effects Supervisor Ged Wright
• The Story (4:54) – Screenwriter Michael Lesslie

Deleted Scenes Conversation (22:23; HD) – Justin Kurzel and Editor Tellefsen delve into the scenes that failed to make the cut and why they were removed.

Deleted Scenes (15:44) are the same ones as above just without commentary.

• Protect the Apple (3:11)
• “Lynch is Dangerous” (0:56)
• Connection (1:03)
• “I Remember Him” (0:59)
• “That’s the Wrong Card” (0:37)
• Preparing to Fight (0:36)
• “We Are Assassins” (3:20)
• “Climb” (1:10)
• “Out of the Shadows” (2:25)
• Alternate Ending (1:27)

Gallery (HD)

• Concept Art
• Costumes and Weapons
• Unit Photography

Theatrical Trailers (4:22; HD)

• Theatrical Trailer 1 (1:55)
• Theatrical Trailer 2 (2:27)

4K VIDEO – 5.0/5, BD VIDEO – 4.75/5

4K AUDIO – 5.0/5, BD AUDIO – 5.0/5

OVERALL – 3.5/5

Overall, Assassin’s Creed, from the standpoint of someone who is not a gamer, actually wasn’t a bad movie, flawed for sure, but still decent enough mainly for Michael Fassbender more so than the plot, which was at times confusing, or the writing. The 4K/BD combo pack offers excellent video/audio transfers and a good selection of bonus material.