Customer Reviews

Assignment [VHS]

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This underappreciated flick is a good choice when an above-average dose of characterization is needed with the more typical car chases, explosions, and bleeding bad guys. The special effects are not quite as well done as in bigger names in the Hollywood action genre, but the movie is no less compelling for it. The plot is intelligent and advances at a rapid clip, but not too rapidly to appreciate that the director sees real people behind the characters. Aidan Quinn delivers a believable performance as a reluctant hero deeply tormented by one particular kill-or-be-killed scenario in which there can be no satisfying course of action. (A similar but better crafted exploration of the psychological toll of undercover-type work is seen in Johnny Depp's excellent performance as Donnie Brasco.) Donald Sutherland, on the other hand, turns in his usual tedious performance as. . . well, Donald Sutherland. Altogether, this is an action flick a cut above the norm. Be sure to watch it from beginning to end -- there are several intriguing twists 'n' turns.

So OK it's been quite a few years since this movie has been released .... but what a pleasant and intriguing surprise ... The fact that there is speculation that it is based on fact makes the movie abou the capture of the Jakal even more interesting ...

A Quinn, D Southerland and Ben Kingsley ... I mean talk about a stellar cast that DO NOT try to scene steal from each other but rather provide us with believeable and exciting characters ....

You better get the beer and popcorn ready before the movie starts since you will not want to turn off the set until you see the final surprise minutes .....

Two great actors (Ben Kingsley, Donald Sutherland) and one really good one (Aidan Quinn) give superb performances in this tight as a string thriller involving spies, lies, and the one and only CARLOS.

CIA man Jack Shaw (Sutherland) masterminds a plot to get Carlos, once and for all, when he stumbles upon Annabel Ramirez(Quinn) a Navy officer and a dead ringer for the Jackal.

Absolutely non-stop action and suspense, this thriller never telegraphs it's punches, twisting and turning over and over.

Highest recommendation.

Despite first appearances, this is not another James Bond clone movie with generic action sequences and almost no plot: rather it is a very believable and sophisticated psychological study of loyalty, character and human violence that just happens to have a great story and painfully realistic action scenes. If you aren't drawn right into the main character's internal drama, the KGB must have worked on you first. Great performances from Aidan Quinn, Ben Kingsley & Donald Sutherland.

In fact there is a lot to say about this movie but I wouldn't want to kill the suspense. If you are a viewer that likes well thought strategies, perfectly masterminded plots; well this is the movie you need to own. First of all this movie is about the well known terrorist CARLOS (aka The Jackal) and how the CIA and the Mossad tries to catch him. Not only the action is excellent in the movie but also the psychological emotions are greatly represented especially by Aidan Quinn who does an incredible job with his partners Donald Sutherland and Ben Kingsley. Trust me there is no way you won't respect this movie. It's a must own.

"The Assignment" is what "The Jackal" and "The Peacemaker" tried to be. This is a movie that has international intrigue, and fantastic action sequences. I also loved the way it was filmed. The director obviously has a great love of images, of film and how settings can come out in film. The plot is also really interesting and keeps you gripped in wonderful suspense. The writers cleverly combine the true story of international terrorist Carlos The Jackal and a fictional story to make a great piece of cinema. "The Assignment" is one of the best thrillers that has been made recently because it has intelligence. This is a great, action-packed and entertaining movie.

I saw this film in the premiers some time back, subsequently I've borrowed & then bought the DVD - its a must for your espionage collection. The critics reckoned it to be the usual drudgery - trust me they were wrong! A movie above most!

This is a very good spell binding movie. I have always enjoyed the acting of Donald Sutherland, and he is superb. Aidan Quinn is very good in his part as portraying Carlos. Very suspensful. I loved the movie and have watched it several times and still learn something new. I recommend this movie highly.

A US Naval officer (Aidan Quinn) with a striking resemblance to an international terrorist (Quinn again) is recruited to impersonate him in a complex plot to discredit him before his KGB superiors. This is a very interesting film that has more to offer than just action. Some of the most fascinating sequences come early in the film as CIA agent Jack Fields (Donald Sutherland) and Mossad agent Amos (Ben Kingsley) supervise the training that is supposed to enable him to behave convincingly in his new role--training that really seems more like brain-washing. This is clearly not a big-budget film, but it makes the best of what it has. It is not predictable by any means--the final shot will leave you guessing./

That's the kind of movie I like. Great actors, action, suspense and some food for the mind.

The director, Christian DUGUAY, made this "B" sci-fi movie SCREAMERS which was already terrific. Here, in THE ASSIGNMENT, he mixes real facts, the terrorist actions of Carlos, and a complex plot of the C.I.A. in order to eliminate him. And the mixture works !

And there is the final scene in a lake which deserves to stay in movie history.

A DVD to discover. You won't regret it.