The Assassin was a critical favorite when it premiered back in 2015. Garnering awards from around the world, the film seemed destined to be the next big wuxia classic. The plot follows Nie Yinniang (Shu Qi, Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons), the titular assassin has been directed to kill corrupt government officials. When she decides to show mercy, she is given a mission to test her resolve; she is ordered to kill the man she was betrothed to as a child.
There is always an element of politics in wuxia tales, but it is much more prominent here. The usual shady alliances are evil officials are found, but The Assassin pulls you into this world of deceit and power. It is still just a backdrop to the larger story at hand, but director Hsiao-hsien Hou tries to give the audience something more to latch onto. Unfortunately, these attempts feel more like filler than anything, however.
Even though there is often a feeling that the film is just spinning its wheels, it consistently looks good. The sets and costumes are stunning and for many, will be the highlight. Colors pop of the screen as characters travel through beautiful ninth-century China. Each shot seems meticulously crafted and it is not long before the cinematography takes precedence over the story.
Both are symptoms of a larger issue with The Assassin. There is a lot of care put into making it look good or feel different, but the story ends up becoming an afterthought. Things move at a slow pace that gives anyone watching a chance to see a well crafted movie, but also notice an uninteresting plot. The surprises never develop like the should and the attempts at meaningful dialogue come off as forced. Event the traditional wuxia action feels flat and uninspired.
In the end, the film tries so hard to challenge the audience that it forgets to entertain them. There is nothing wrong with a martial arts flick slowing things down, and it is refreshing to see a movie from the genre put so much effort in the production. However, this does not take away from the feeling that The Assassin lacks focus.
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