6.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Jay Killion had been the presidential bodyguard, but for the inauguration of the recently elected president, he is assigned to the first lady, Lara Royce Lara, a perpetually indignant, arrogantly feministic lady, initially hates the methodical and rules-following Killion, and so she does all she can to avoid him and disregard his safety procedures. The story complicates, however, when repeated attempts are made on Lara's life. Eventually, the shaken Lara decides to trust Killion's instincts and precautionary methods, and the pair embark on a difficult and often perilous cross-country journey, with the assassins close on their heels.
Starring: Charles Bronson, Jill Ireland, Stephen Elliott (I), Randy Brooks, Michael AnsaraCrime | 100% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
In the midst of churning out low-budget thrillers during the 1980s, most for Cannon Films, actor Charles Bronson decided to spend some time with his wife, Jill Ireland, his frequent co-star. 1987’s “Assassination” is their first screen pairing since 1982’s “Death Wish II,” and it feels like a production that was more valued for the vacation it provided than the quality of its script. Supremely dopey and weirdly directed, “Assassination” is largely held together by oddity, with the feature transforming the fiftysomething screen legend into a butt-kicking Secret Service superhero who’s irresistible to women, playing up Bronson’s cool genre demeanor and way with a gun. However, it’s the time spent with Bronson and Ireland that’s most compelling about the picture, watching the couple enjoy a chance to collaborate as they dodge explosions, ride motorcycles, and exchanged sharp banter, welcoming character hostilities.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is likely the best "Assassination" will ever look on home video, delivering an agreeable but never outstanding level of detail that surveys fabrics and close-ups, while location visits retain depth. However, softness is present, identifying the age of the scan. Colors aren't pronounced, showing slight fade, while skintones run too pink and bloodless at times. Delineation is secure, without solidification. Source is hit with a flurry of debris and scratches during the main titles, but damage settles down soon after.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix was never meant to knock anyone's socks off, but the basics of the track are represented acceptably. Dialogue exchanges often compete with bursts of action, but intelligibility remains, identifying Bronson's purr and Ireland's intended shrillness. Scoring is inherently thin, rarely making an effort to elevate cinematic moods, but the basics in cheapy synth stings are respected. Atmospherics are limited, but crowd scenes are preserved. Violence retains sharp gunfire and explosions.
The basics of Bronson-esque destruction are presented, watching the agent threaten baddies with guns and, eventually, shoulder-fired missile launchers. He's also good with scowling, but the role amazingly contains more brightness than darkness, urging Bronson to showcase his natural charms, especially around Ireland (this would be her penultimate film, passing away in 1990). He's entertaining to watch, loosening up for a change, but it's difficult to succeed with Hunt's direction, which requires Bronson to be active without providing true direction. "Assassination" isn't particularly raw (towards the end of the movie, it's clear a few murder sequences were softened to help the picture achieve a PG-13 rating), even when it offers exploding ships, missile wars, and deadly terrorists. It's mild work, but one that has the potential to be a rip-roaring chase through the land with secretly lustful participants. Instead of pursuing a snappy tone, Hunt buries "Assassination" in lethargy and confusion, making it difficult to tap into the violent escapism the production seems ready to provide. Charming leads in love isn't nearly enough to elevate the effort.
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