64
Metascore
6 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 80VarietyJoe LeydonVarietyJoe LeydonA sensationally entertaining mash-up of historical drama, “Dirty Dozen” style shoot-‘em-up, spaghetti Western-flavored flamboyance, and extended action setpieces that suggest a dream-team collaboration of Sergio Leone, John Woo and Steven Spielberg.
- 70Los Angeles TimesMichael RechtshaffenLos Angeles TimesMichael RechtshaffenThe director nimbly orchestrates to entertaining effect this mass game of cat-and-mouse populated by paid and unpaid assassins, double agents and even the proverbial twins separated at birth.
- 70The New York TimesJeannette CatsoulisThe New York TimesJeannette CatsoulisAssassination has sprinkles of wit and a nicely restrained anchor in Lee Jung-jae.
- 60Village VoiceSimon AbramsVillage VoiceSimon AbramsAssassination is a blast whenever the director doesn't take his melodramatic plot too seriously.
- 60The Hollywood ReporterClarence TsuiThe Hollywood ReporterClarence TsuiWhile the director unleashes his taut action sequences like clockwork, he's less deft in handling the characterizations and the decade-leaping plot, which seems designed to provide the film with some historical weight.
- With so much focus on spectacle, the film fails to explore this part of Korean history in any meaningful way. Assassination plays more to Choi’s strengths - witty dialogue and entertaining storytelling accompanied by strong visuals and cast.