'American Assassin:' Movie Review

This movie starts off so celebratory, for Dylan O'Brien's character just gets engaged. Then, a terrorist group comes up the beach and starts firing on all the tourists, killing O'Brien's fiancé. His character's name is Mitch Rapp, and this is a movie based off the series 'The Mitch Rapp Series' written by Vince Flynn. It gives off a real Jason Bourne kind of vibe and makes you want to get in shape to learn to fight. It's not the same as Jason Bourne, so if you're expecting that, you will be disappointed. But if you're interested in an assassin/spy movie, this is your fix.

After the shooting, Mitch is determined to find the men who killed his fiancé and learns a lot to do so. He becomes familiar with the language of the terrorists and their religion to infiltrate their ranks. He is also being watched by the US Government to see what he does. Rapp successfully gets invited to see if he is worthy of being a part of their organization. And then while "interviewing" the US Government comes in and ruins his chance to kill everyone in the room. He then gets involved with the US Government and their secret organization to kill terrorists.

Rapp uses this time to get closer to the terrorists and use as a means to an end for his own personal goals. Throughout the whole movie, his higher up keeps telling him to not make it personal, but his whole escapade is personal and wouldn't get him as fired up if it wasn't personal.

I haven't read the books, but I would recommend it! There are about 15 novels in the series so it will keep you occupied if you haven't found something to read.

Overall, I thought it was fantastic. There is a lot of gore and swear words, but I mean it is rated R, so that's probably why! Don't get attached to characters either, because almost everyone dies. It's like an episode of Game of Thrones, except the main character lives, I mean there are 15 books about the guy.

But it was very intense and riveting. Dylan O'Brien gave a different performance from what he usually has given. And after his brain injury, this was impressive of him. He really pushes himself, especially from Teen Wolf and The First Time. Those are still good works, but he shines in this production. He stretches his physical prowess and mental prowess, by learning martial arts, languages, culture, gun skills, etc.

O'Brien has been an upcoming actor that (I feel at least) is coming up the ranks, especially with The Maze Runner. That is a movie that is also an adaptation of a book. It also shows O'Brien's leadership skills. Which is shown in American Assassin.

I don't know about you guys, but watching this film made me want to be better at keeping myself prepared and better understand what the world is battling with war, politics, and creating a place that is not like that in my life.

Overall I give this movie a 9/10. I didn't really like the villain(s). I won't spoil it if you haven't seen it, but he isn't what I expected. Like I said, I haven't read the books but I hope that villain doesn't make an appearance for long. The cliffhanger at the end is what made the movie for me. The villain for the next installment is brought in and Rapp is on the prowl, but doesn't have the approval of the US Government. Like I said, they were just a means to an end.