Walter Hill.
The name is not as well-known as it used to be. Just to remind enlighten you on the man, he is the director of many trashy flicks, most notably The Warriors, 48 Hrs, Red Heat, Johnny Handsome and he also produced the original Alien movies. The guy has been around the block. Lately, he hasn’t been as active as he used to be what with the superhero genre taking over the business.
One would say Walter Hill’s time has passed, but when you look at his movies from the 80’s, a lot of movies today seem to “borrow” their grittiness and tone. Prime example of that would be the movie Logan. Had that movie been done in the 70’s or 80’s Walter Hill would’ve been the man to do it and it would’ve been just as good.
Which brings me to The Assignment. An assassin who, after a hit, gets double crossed and then wakes up as a woman. Now, when that happens, one would really wish that genie from the Tom Hanks movie Big would show up and grant this man his stuff back, literally. That doesn’t happen. The movie has its moments to be a great, fun trashy flick like Crank but it doesn’t really quite take off.
This is a shame because it has an interesting premise that could’ve been something. That something could’ve been the assassin going around the whole town, killing the bad guys to a great soundtrack with a villain so off the wall that you wouldn’t mind it being so crazy because the premise of the movie is crazy as it is.
Very big missed opportunity here.
You can’t fault Michelle Rodriguez, who is probably manlier than a lot of men out there, she was actually pretty good with the material she was given and it wouldn’t be a bad idea if she were given the lead role in The Crow remake that is stuck in development hell. The rest of the cast isn’t so bad either, Sigourney Weaver brings a bit of her baggage with her playing the mad surgeon intent on revenge. In a stronger movie, she would’ve elevated the material even higher.
If you like trashy flicks or you’re a Michelle Rodriguez completest this one could be for you. Check it out at your nearest redbox or itunes or whatever you use to rent movies.
Hit Mando up on twitter @manbat33 with obscenities and gifs of Michelle Rodriguez. And check out his podcast: The Talented Slackers! on iTunes & Soundcloud.