In the decade leading up to World War II, Japan conquered a fair chunk of China and renamed it Manchuria. Assassin tells a story of Chinese Resistance. A gangster named Hu (Ray Lui) in Shanghai hires Zhang Mubai (Jinhao Guo) and his team of hit men to take out the commander of the Japanese battalion stationed there. Assassin is at once a crime caper, a martial arts heavy action film, and a damn good yarn.
I checked, dear reader, and this is not based off anything from history. Assassin is, in fact, just a great piece of historical fiction. I love the martial arts. Every major form of cinematic martial arts is on display here: gun-kata, Karate, Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, Hong Kong style fighting, it’s all accounted for. Strategic use of slo-mo cinematography and wire-fu allows Assassin to be a truly fun roller coaster-esque experience in the full gamut of hand-to-hand combat available in Asia. I think, dear reader, there’s even an antagonist who performs Muay Thai in Assassin. Which just makes it truly compendious in its presentation of the martial arts.
Beyond the actors, I enjoy the character that is the city of Shanghai. Zhou Jiuquin and team have found all the lived-in, older locations in that city to shoot and block the actions of our erstwhile team of hit men. Even in the 1930’s, Shanghai was old. Old and rich, even. There is a relaxed opulence on display in Assassin. Even Zhang Mubai is stacked with cash, as he offers his new hire a gold bar to assist in the execution of the supreme Japanese commander. This is fascinating stuff, dear reader.
” A gangster named Hu in Shanghai hires Zhang Mubai and his team of hit men to take out the commander of the Japanese battalion…”
Given the variety and balanced choreography displayed in Assassin, credit must be granted to the stunt choreographer and action director. Zhengguang Lu and Guan Su teamed up to craft some really wild and hyper-kinetic martial art sequences for Assassin. This film will captivate you with its level of excellence in martial arts. Nearly every character has a standout fight in Assassin. If you enjoy Martial arts, this movie is definitely for you.
The Chinese really know how to tell a riveting historical fiction. The whole time I was watching Assassin, I lost track of time. This is among the highest compliments you can bestow upon a film and its makers. Assassin is a great time, whether you want it at home or in a theater. I would encourage you, dear reader, if you can find an arthouse theater screening Assassin near you, to go there, buy a large bucket of popcorn, and enjoy the portrayal of heroic Chinese, evil Japanese, and Koreans who play sides against each other. Truly, this is a great portrayal of the stereotypes of Southeast Asia.
Assassin is unlikely to win any awards. It is, however, a spectacular spectacle and a real demonstration of just how excellent the Chinese film market has become. I deem Assassin a wonderful film, and one the entire family would enjoy. Seek it out, however you can.
"…a real demonstration of just how excellent the Chinese film market has become."
