“Assassins” (1995) directed by Richard Donner, starring Sylvester Stallone, Antonio Banderas & Julianne Moore / Z-View

Assassins (1995)

Director: Richard Donner

Screenplay: Lilly Wachowski (as Andy Wachowski) & Lana Wachowski (as Larry Wachowski) and Brian Helgeland from a story by Lilly & Lana Wachoswski

Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Antonio Banderas, Julianne Moore, Anatoli Davydov, Muse Watson, Steve Kahan, Kelly Rowan, Reed Diamond, Kai Wulff and Stephen Liska.

Tagline: In the shadows of life, In the business of death, One man found a reason to live…

The Plot…

Robert Rath (Stallone) is a hitman ready to retire.  Working as an assassin has taken a toll even though Rath has a moral code. He refuses to murder women, children and men undeserving to die.

Miguel Bain (Banderas) is an assassin who loves his job… he wants to be the best hitman in the world.  Bain considers Rath number one… for now.

As Rath prepares to take out a mark, he is shocked when Bain assassinates his target.  The two exchange gunfire until the police arrive.  Rath realizes that Bain is determined to kill him.  He also learns that Bain’s other target is a woman known as Electra (Moore).   Rath plans to save Electra and eliminate Bain.

Of course Bain has other plans…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Wachowski’s sold their Assassins screenplay to Joel Silver at the same time he bought their screenplay for The Matrix (for one million dollars each).  Silver wanted Richard Donner to direct and offered him ten million dollars.  Donner refused unless the screenplay’s violence was toned down and Rath was made more sympathetic.  Silver brought in Brian (L.A. Confidential) Helgeland to adjust the script.

The Wachowski’s didn’t like the changes and asked for their names to be removed from the credits.  The request was denied by the Writers Guild Association.

Donner praised Stallone and Banderas for their performances: “I thought Stallone did one of the best jobs he’s ever done. He totally underplayed, he was quiet, he found the character and he went with it. I thought Antonio Banderas was wonderful.”

Electra’s cat is the same feline that appeared with Stallone in The Specialist.

I am a huge fan of the opening scene when Rath is walking an assassin deep into a swamp to execute him. Their dialogue tells us all we need to know about Rath and his business.

Kudos to Banderas for his manic performance as the hitman who wants to be the best.

I’d always hoped that Richard Donner and Sly Stallone would work together.

Assassins (1995) rates 4 of 5 stars.