Even a low budget film can look good and entertain. Most
people don't know that. Most think that if they've never heard of the movie
playing at the local multi-plex then it can't be any good. I'll grant you that
many low budget films might not equal what you find in the latest STAR TREK
installment but there are some that offer some quality made offerings. Sure
their roots lie in exploitation but that doesn't mean that the entertainment
quota isn't intact.
Such is the case with ASSASSIN'S RUN. Featuring the
perennial straight to DVD star Christian Slater in a supporting role it's a
decent action flick that offers up ballet as a martial art. Yes, you read that
correctly.
Slater stars as American businessman Michael Mason, an
entrepreneur in Russia who sees the potential for vast wealth. When some
documents come up missing Mason is killed before he can look deeper into just
who is trying to ruin his business and take all the money at the same time.
Unfortunately ties to the Russian mafia are also in the works and they aren't
pleased when they discover the money is missing. The only lead they can find is
Mason's wife, prima ballerina Maya (Sofya Skya).
Maya and Mason's daughter is taken away and Maya framed for
murder. Sent to prison there is little hope to escape and even less that she
will ever be released. Even Mason's best friend and partner Roman (Cole Houser)
can't seem to get her out. When fellow prisoners try to make her talk and
eventually kill her, she decides the only person who can help her is herself.
Trapped in the tiniest of cells Maya begins a non-stop
workout of ballet moves that she can then apply towards combat. The next
encounter she has in the yard with the intent of her demise she pirouettes a
few facial kicks and takes out her deadliest foe. Having made one friend she
escapes and sets out to find not only her daughter but who killed her husband
as well.
With only one friend to turn to, someone Mason told her to
contact should anything happen, she goes down the path of revenge. Her chances
are slim but then again this is an action flick where revenge is the best path
taken and almost always succeeds.
The movie offers some interesting fight sequences that are
not only well choreographed but photographed well too. We don't get the now
standard extreme close up fight sequence but have the opportunity to witness
the sweeping blows and kicks that Maya comes up with. Could real ballet become
a martial art? Doubtful but it makes for a good movie.
The acting is higher quality than one would expect in a
straight to DVD film. Slater offers a commendable though short performance. He
deserves better. Skya shows great potential here and let's hope to see more of
her.
While this isn't the best movie around you could do much
worse. If you're looking for some straight action fare that leaves several lose
plotlines lying about then give this one a try.
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