Assassins Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A hitman wants to retire, but a crazy fanboy wants to kill him to prove he’s cooler, so they fight over a computer hacker who owns a cat.

🍿 Assassins: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Robert Rath

Robert Rath (Sylvester Stallone) is a seasoned and highly skilled assassin who is contemplating retirement from his dangerous profession. Haunted by his past, including the killing of his mentor, Nicolai Tashlinkov, Rath seeks to leave the life of a hired killer behind. He operates with precision and a code, preferring clean kills and minimal collateral damage.

The Emergence of Miguel Bain

Rath’s plans for retirement are complicated by the emergence of Miguel Bain (Antonio Banderas), a younger, more ruthless assassin. Bain is driven by ambition and a desire to be the best, seeing Rath as an obstacle to his ascent. Their paths collide when Bain interferes with Rath’s assigned hits, setting off a deadly rivalry.

Electra and the Stolen Data

Rath accepts one last job: assassinating Electra (Julianne Moore), a surveillance expert in possession of a valuable computer disk containing sensitive information. However, Rath finds himself unable to kill her, sparking an unexpected alliance. Electra, skilled in hacking and surveillance, becomes a key player in the assassins’ dangerous game.

Alliance and Betrayal

Rath and Electra team up to protect themselves from both Bain and Rath’s mysterious employer. They attempt to exchange the disk for a large sum of money, but they quickly discover they are being double-crossed, forcing them to fight for their survival. The dynamic between Rath and Electra evolves from distrust to a tentative partnership.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Robert Rath (Sylvester Stallone): A seasoned but world-weary hitman contemplating retirement, finds himself in a deadly game of cat and mouse.
• Miguel Bain (Antonio Banderas): An ambitious and psychopathic young assassin determined to claim the top spot by eliminating Robert Rath.
• Electra (Julianne Moore): A surveillance expert and hacker who becomes entangled in the assassins’ conflict and forms an unlikely alliance.
• Nicolai Tashlinkov (Anatoli Davydov): The mysterious contractor who manipulates events from behind the scenes, with a surprising connection to Rath’s past.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Electra: “Once upon a time, there was this little sparrow, who while flying south for the winter froze solid and fell to the ground. And then to make matters worse the cow crapped on him, but the manure was all warm and it defrosted him. So there he is, he’s warm and he’s happy to be alive and he starts to sing. A hungry cat comes along and he clears off the manure and he looks at the little bird and then he eats him. And the moral of the story is this: everyone who craps on you is not necessarily your enemy, and everyone who gets you out of crap is not necessarily your friend, and if you’re warm and happy no matter where you are you should just keep your big mouth shut.” – Electra tells this story to Rath to explain her cynical outlook on relationships and life.
• Miguel Bain: “I like you Rath. You’re like me, only older.” – Bain says this to Rath, highlighting their similarities while establishing Bain’s desire to surpass him.
• Robert Rath: “I just want out.” – Rath frequently says this expressing his weariness with his profession and his longing for a normal life.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $50,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $30,303,072
• Worldwide Gross: $83,000,000

💥 Assassins Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing this as a teenager and being blown away by the action. Watching it now, it’s still fun, but definitely dated. The action is good, especially the taxi chase. Banderas is over-the-top, but it kind of works. I wish Stallone had shown more emotion, but that’s Sly. The ending was decent, but not mind blowing. I liked the reveal of the old mentor coming back, but felt it was somewhat lackluster.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Sylvester Stallone and Antonio Banderas”
  • “Viewers interested in action thrillers with cat-and-mouse elements”
  • “Those who appreciate movies about assassins and espionage”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense violence and gunfights”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Brief scenes of sensuality”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Stallone delivers a solid performance as the world-weary assassin, while Banderas chews scenery with gusto as the unhinged rival. Donner’s direction is competent but lacks the stylistic flair to elevate the film beyond a standard action fare. Action sequences provide thrills but fall short of creating an engaging and emotionally resonant experience.
• The New York Times: “The film suffers from a convoluted plot and inconsistent character development. While Stallone brings his signature stoicism to the role, Banderas’ portrayal of a psychopathic killer borders on caricature. Despite some impressive action set pieces, the film ultimately fails to deliver a satisfying narrative or emotional impact.

Audience Reactions

Antonio Banderas’s performance as the psychotic Miguel Bain is energetic and memorable.: Viewers appreciate the action sequences and the dynamic between Stallone and Banderas.

The movie offers a mix of suspense and thrills that keep viewers engaged.: Many enjoy the interplay between the two assassins and the cat-and-mouse game they play.

Overall Consensus: A decent action thriller elevated by the performances of its leads, especially Antonio Banderas, but hampered by a convoluted plot and somewhat dated feel.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The original script was written by The Wachowskis before ‘The Matrix’. They were unhappy with the rewrites and wanted their names removed, but the WGA denied their request.”
• “Several actors were considered for the role of Miguel Bain, including Christian Slater, before Antonio Banderas was cast.”
• “During filming, Antonio Banderas chose to only eat fruit, which became a quirky character choice for Miguel Bain.”

🖥️ How to Watch Assassins?

As of today, October 26, 2023, ‘Assassins’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Availability may change.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Assassins, you might like these similar films:

• The Killer (1989): Features a similar theme of a professional assassin grappling with their conscience, set against intense action sequences.
• Ronin (1998): Offers a contemporary take on professional killers, with intricate plots, betrayals, and intense action, mirroring the cat-and-mouse game in ‘Assassins’.
• Heat (1995): Explores the intense rivalry between two professionals on opposite sides of the law, with complex characters and high-stakes confrontations, released in the same year.
• John Wick (2014): A retired hitman is forced back into the criminal underworld he had abandoned, hunting down the men who broke into his home and stole his prized car and killed his dog.

🛒 Assassins Related Products

• Assassins Movie Poster: High-quality reproduction of the original movie poster. A must-have for fans looking to showcase their love for classic action films.
• Stallone Action Figure: Detailed action figure of Sylvester Stallone as Robert Rath. Features authentic likeness and accessories from the film.
• Inspired Assassin Gear: Officially licensed T-shirt inspired by the movie, featuring the tagline and iconic imagery of the film.
• Assassins Movie T-Shirt: Officially licensed graphic print t-shirt inspired by the cat-and-mouse game between the two assassins. Featuring a stylized design with film’s imagery

🎧 Soundtrack

Assassins features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Like a Rolling Stone” – performed by The Rolling Stones

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Assassins Hid a Handgun in His Cast

Prepare to be amazed by this clever scene from ‘Assassins’ where the assassins conceal a weapon in the most unexpected way.

✨ Rate