Assassins Run

"How did two American's wind up in the Russian oil business?" Maya (Skya) is a Russian ballerina living with her wealthy husband and daughter. Her husband Michael (Slater) is working with a Russian oil firm when suddenly millions of dollars goes missing. The mafia decides to take matters into their own hands and goes after Michael and frames Maya. All she has on her mind is revenge, and the safety of her child. I first off have to say this was nothing like I expected at all. That said this movie has been done a hundred times...most recently called Colombiana. I have no problem with a strong female action hero, I think that is refreshing...but the only reason I think they introduced the ballet aspect is so when she starts to fight it seems legit. Before you question that line...yes, she uses ballet moves to fight. Lots of spinning and high leg kicks to take down her assailants, when that started I started to lose interest and by the end I was just waiting for it to end. This movie could have been so much better but ended up just a little too cheesy and generic for me. Overall, a movie with potential but fell short. I give it a C.

Probably the worst movie I have seen in over a decade. Truly an embarrassment of a B movie to all involved. Don't believe the positive reviews here; they HAVE to be plants. 10 stars? Jason Bourne like? What? Who ARE these reviewers?

The script is flawed and lame. The acting by everyone is really, really bad; ...and I had high hopes as I like many of the actors in this and I enjoy these types of movies. The editing is poor; lots of unnecessarily long scenes and then rushed others. The story line is slow and very predictable. You will figure it all out immediately if you have a brain.

But the absolute worst is the pure silliness of it. A slender little ballerina destroys multiple Russian hit-men because she stretched while in prison? Seriously? She spins and spins while elbowing a petite older woman who manages to survive those multiple elbows to face along with a half dozen kicks. However later one kick to an 6'+ 250 lb Russian mobster and he is out. Okaaay.

It was like watching a train-wreck. I couldn't believe it could be so corny and had to watch to the end. It didn't disappoint. For example, she takes out the last two by doing a typical ballerina split jump. Really? A couple of toes to the face is all it takes? Then these two big murdering Russian bruts look at her and run away leaving $500M? Hahaha! Riiiight. She leaves a pile of dead bodies of good decent people around her that helped her and, eh, who cares; she always walks over them without checking if they are alive. Just smile and walk away. Great role model for her kid.

And no, none of these are spoilers. Also, if you can't figure this embarrassment of a movie out in advance, I pity your offspring. Watch Atomic Blonde, Red Sparrow, or Anna instead of this poor B movie. All have better acting, plot, twists, realistic fights, editing, and not so predictable.

This film essentially begins with a businessman by the name of "Michael Mason" (Christian Slater) being informed that an enormous sum of money has suddenly disappeared and that there are those in the Russian mafia who want to get their hands on it. So, after their threatening phone calls to Michael fail to get them what they want, they kill him under the mistaken assumption that his wife "Maya Letiniskaya" (Sofya Skya) knows where the money is being hidden. To that effect, they then plant some drugs in her home and, after a quick trial, use their sources within the prison system to compel her to talk. They also kidnap her child to gain even more leverage as well. What they don't realize, however, is that, having endured everything they can throw at her, Maya is not in a talking mood and is now determined to get revenge--one way or the other. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this film had a certain amount of potential but, the longer the film progressed, the more unrealistic it became--and I eventually lost interest in it. Admittedly, there were some good parts to this movie. Unfortunately, they weren't good enough to overcome some of the other less-inspired scenes and I have rated this accordingly. Slightly below average.

Terrible but the one redeeming moment is the prison fight (not a spoiler, it's shown in the trailer twice). That scene was utterly ridiculous but worth rewinding to watch a few times.

So I'm late to reviewing this movie, I just saw it for the first time on cable TV. But felt like sharing. It seems like we all have the same opinion.

The movie itself was fairly polished. Pretty decent acting for the most part. The scenes all made sense and the plot was continuous. Some cool scenes like the bald guy assassination scenes were good. The main actress was attractive to watch.

So I can't say it was totally worthless or complete garbage. It had some merits. The quality was definitely good.

Sadly the plot is just so insanely bad, it makes it laughable. Up to a point I was enjoying it. Then when I realize a 90 pound ballerina is going to turn into Bruce Lee, I had to laugh. Seriously, when I saw the main guy die, I'm thinking "how does he get revenge? It can't be the 90 pound ballerina!!".

The fight scenes are bad. She faces 2 300 pound muscle-head brutes and manages to swing her tiny frame to beat them up? Errr, no. Then she does a ballet move, a jump in the air with legs spread and somehow kicks two brutes out. The video is so poor it doesn't even show contact, it's just her jumping in front of them and them falling.

I can't give it a 1 because it's not totally worthless. I mean if you want some giggles, it' s worth a watch.