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13 out of 14 people found the following comment useful :- Probably done for fun, 25 September 2005 Author: paul_johnr from New York
This was the next to last film appearance by Jill Ireland, who died of cancer in 1990 after four decades as a well-known actress and producer. Ireland made quite a few waves in the press when she dropped her then-husband David McCallum in 1967, beginning her long relationship with Charles Bronson. It is a great irony that Bronson, probably the all-time leader in number of deaths rendered on-screen, had one of the most enduring marriages in film history.'Assassination' seems to be a movie that was tucked into Cannon's production schedule for the sake of Bronson and Ireland. Ireland was already suffering from cancer-related illnesses in 1987 and you can almost picture the two actors wanting to do 'just one more, for old times' sake.' 'Assassination' is carelessly done as a whole, showing the lack of polish and dwindling funds that would tank Cannon by 1990. But there's a kind of nostalgia value in seeing the couple together one last time and the film makes you wonder what exactly helps a relationship to survive in the chaos that is Hollywood.Bronson plays Jay Killian, a high-ranking Secret Service agent who is assigned to protect the First Lady, Lara Craig (Ireland). The President's wife has a reputation for being difficult, bossing Service agents around and wanting to do things her own way. That all changes, however, when attempts are made on her life and she must journey with Killian by car, train, motorbike, and believe it or not, dune buggy to escape would-be assassins. There is little surprise here, as Killian believes the murderers are part of an inside job, perhaps arranged by the President himself. On the way, Killian and Mrs. Craig develop an unspoken affection for one another in scenes between Bronson and Ireland that are actually very funny.What really gets me is how this film was promoted upon its release and how it's still made to look as a DVD. The original trailer gives you the feeling that 'Assassination' is another cold-hearted Bronson shoot-'em-up. But a lot of this movie - which was rated PG-13, by the way - is in a comic vein, putting it along the lines of a romantic thriller like Bronson and Ireland's western 'From Noon Till Three.' Even the DVD case shows Bronson with a rocket launcher, ready to blow things up. Which he does, but to a lesser degree than his other '80s potboilers.On the whole, 'Assassination' is late Cannon slop work and doesn't really know what kind of film it wants to be. Besides drifting from actioner to romantic thriller and back again, there are serious mistakes in continuity, property values are bottom-of-the-barrel cheap, and the effects are dreadful; many of the explosions seem like matte work rather than being done on location. Robert Ragland, who had shown good composing skills in earlier films, teamed up with Valentine McCallum on a score that is mostly synthesized and better fit for television.Richard Sale's script has real lulus of dialogue, with the conversations between Bronson and Ireland the only bright spot. There is no explanation as to why the First Lady is called 'One Momma' all of a sudden, nor as to why Ireland is left with her British accent when the character is a Wyoming native. Jan Gan Boyd, playing Killian's main assistant, has a kitten-like personality and is badly miscast as a federal agent. Stephen Elliott (a former Tony Award nominee who died in May 2005), Randy Brooks, Erik Stern (as assassin Bracken), and Michael Ansara (Senator Bunsen) are acceptable in their supporting roles.Incidentally, this was the last film directing gig for Peter Hunt, who broke onto the scene with 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service' in 1969 and collaborated with Bronson and Lee Marvin on 'Death Hunt' in 1981. 'Assassination' is available on DVD through MGM Home Entertainment; it is presented in dual widescreen and standard format with three-language subtitles and theatrical trailer.** out of 4
8 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :- Terrific movie with Jill Ireland and Charles Bronson, 9 September 2003 Author: mtibbs-1 from Lynchburg, Va.
I loved this Movie out of all Charles Bronson did. I think he and Jill Ireland were so neat in this together. I liked any movie they did together. I don't believe this was given enough credit. They just semed to fit in the parts together. I was truly saddened when Jill died and even more so with his passing. But at least we have the movies to watch which I never tire of seeing.
6 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :- Silly adventure, but entertaining, 24 January 2006 Author: vchimpanzee from North Carolina
Secret service Agent Jay Killian is back on the job after some problems. He is no longer allowed to guard the President, though. His job is to protect the new First Lady, Lara Royce Craig, who apparently comes from a wealthy family and believes she can do what she wants without listening to anyone.While Mrs. Craig rides to her husband's inauguration in an open car (something no one in the First Family has done since Kennedy was shot), one of the police officers riding alongside has a wreck (and this being a Charles Bronson movie, naturally the bike has to explode). Killian believes it was no accident.Later, Mrs. Craig escapes on several occasions, though the Secret Service is able to find her in each case. Mrs. Craig's behavior is a problem not just because she needs protection under normal circumstances, but because it seems someone actually wants to kill her.Jill Ireland was deliciously witchy (actually that should start with a b) as the First Lady. Charles Bronson's character showed intelligence, and he wouldn't back down but remained strong in the face of the First Lady's protests.It was a pleasure to see the man who played the uptight and dignified Cloud Dancing in "Dr. Quinn" as an almost stereotypical Native American, a car salesman willing to laugh at people's expectations of his people and go along for the money.Jan Gan Boyd, as Killian's partner (in more ways than one?) was pretty and perky but showed confidence in her facial expressions. Too bad she often seemed to be reading her lines.The violence wasn't constant, but this movie had plenty of gunfire toward the end, and quite a few unnecessary explosions. One exciting scene involved a railroad bridge.The scenery in Wyoming was beautiful.I don't think this was intended to be a comedy, but it certainly was in my opinion. I found it quite entertaining. The idea is to have no real expectations.
8 out of 10 people found the following comment useful :- Unmemorable latter-day Bronson vehicle., 14 August 2004 Author: Jonathon Dabell (barnaby.rudge@hotmail.co.uk) from Wakefield, England
In the twilight years of his career, Charles Bronson forged long-running partnerships with several directors, most notably J. Lee Thompson and Michael Winner. He did two films for one-time Bond director Peter Hunt too - the first being the decent 1981 actioner Death Hunt, the second being this indifferent political chase thriller. Assassination is pretty dull if truth be known, and come the end you'll find yourself longing for something with a bit more passion and pace, like The Wilby Conspiracy for instance (which, plotwise, this film resembles). Bronson sleepwalks through his role as bodyguard Jay Killian, whose assignment is to protect the American President's wife, Lara Royce Craig (Jill Ireland, real-life wife of Bronson). Killian believes that Mrs Craig has been targetted by assassins; she thinks he's an over-protective, paranoid pessimist. Turns out - surprise, surprise - that Killian was right all along and someone is indeed out to eradicate her. The pair of them go on the run, pursued by the assassins. Everyone knows that the wife of an American President is known as The First Lady. For some reason, in this film they have renamed her "One Mama"! Quite what the point of this is is anybody's guess, but it's indicative of the film's pointlessness as a whole. Most of the film's performances are lazy, and the script takes a heck of a long time to get to where it's going. If I had to label Assassination within a specific genre, I'd say it is supposed to be a "thriller". I'd say that with some reservations, however, as to say that it's a thriller it has precious few thrills.
6 out of 8 people found the following comment useful :- interesting plot, 22 January 2003 Author: Patrick M. O'Hara (boss32@msn.com) from Lake Los Angeles, Ca.
if you are a charles bronson fan,as i am, you will enjoy this film. This is a simple film with a nice plot and story line. What's not to like.You also get jill ireland with the movie and other great scenery to boot..
7 out of 10 people found the following comment useful :- Assassination (1987) is woth your time, 17 March 2003 Author: Andrew Eastenegger (andrewwoolgar17@hotmail.com) from United Kingdom
Ok maybe it's cheesey but it's a load of fun. Accept that it's that way and you love the film alot. It's a good action laugh, people take the micky saying you can't do this, that. Who's care, Bronson films are made to be enjoyed, he doesn't care what critics think. I don't. All he's own film he did are great. Fantastic stuff.Well the story line is simple, Bronson is a service secret agent protecting the first lady (Jill). And suspects that someone is trying to ASSASSINATE her. So it's up to him to stop her in this great Action comedy thriller.Worth the watch, i loved it. Especially with a comic Bronson. and he was 66 when he did this, wow, hope i'm like that at 66 running like a cat.7 out 10
3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :- An all right film from Charles, 5 August 2006 Author: moviefreak2010 from United States
I just saw this movie and the beginning started out pretty good and kind of funny between Ireland and Bronson. Just let you all know that I believe that Jill will go lethal with the shoe she had on if you mess with her so DON'T. But then at the middle of the movie, it had ups and downs. The first thing about it is that most of the action scenes go a little too fast and some of the non-action scenes go little fast too but other wise, the film is pretty good. Just to let you know that this is the last film that Charles and Jill are together and still do good being together in this film and I hope you you all enjoy the film.I give this a 7/10
4 out of 5 people found the following comment useful :- Surprisingly Fun Bronson Film,That I Couldn't Help But Enjoy, Bronson And Jill Ireland Were Great Together!, 6 August 2005 Author: (callanvass@hotmail.com) from victoria b.c canada
*** This comment may contain spoilers ***
This is a surprisingly fun Bronson film, that i couldn't help but enjoy Bronson and Jill Ireland were great together!. It's never boring and all the characters were great, plus Charles Bronson is simply amazing in this!. Bronson and Ireland had very good chemistry together, and it had some cool action scenes, plus the finale was cool!. However i did have a couple problems with this film, 1.It ended way too abruptly and 2.some of the dialog was way too cheesy for my liking, however it's a fun film that i enjoyed quite a bit, plus i dug the romance angle too!.It's got plenty of explosions, and an interesting story to keep one entertained, plus i found Jill Ireland's character quite likable actually!. It's not original that's for sure however it's very enjoyable, if your in the mood i really liked it myself!, plus Bronson had some cool lines!. This is a surprisingly fun Bronson film, that i couldn't help but enjoy Bronson and Ireland were great together!, highly recommended!. The Direction is very good. Peter R. Hunt does a very good job here, with solid camera work, good angles and keeping the film at a very fast pace!.There is a tiny bit of blood and violence. We get a corpse, couple bloody gunshot wounds, and a bloody gunshot wound to the head with blood and brains splattering. The Acting is excellent!. Charles Bronson is AMAZING as he always was, and was amazing here, he is extremely likable, funny had awesome chemistry with Jill Ireland, kicked that ass, had some very cool lines, and seemed to be enjoying himself! (Bronson Ruled!). Jill Ireland was STUNNINGLY GORGEOUS!, and was fantastic here, and i found her character to be very likable actually, she also seemed to be having some fun, and was very very convincing!, she rocked!. Jan Gan Boyd is good here and was quite likable and energetic. Rest of the cast do fine. Overall highly recommended!. ***1/2 out of 5
4 out of 5 people found the following comment useful :- Everything is too rushed., 20 August 1999 Author: gridoon
Bronson and Ireland, in their last film together, make a likable pair. He is more restrained than usual and she has become a winning actress. But as a thriller the film is totally worthless. Its premise is downright silly and its pace is much too rushed.
1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :- Jay Killian is cool but Paul Kersey was better..., 10 April 2008 Author: legendaryunderdog from United States
Bronson plays Jay Killian, a secret service agent who has been transferred from guarding the newly elected President of the U.S. to now guarding the new first lady. Eventually, Bronson learns that the first lady is being targeted for assassination (hence the title), the film for the most part deals with Bronson keeping the first lady out of harms way. Not really an excessive actioner for Bronson considering previous efforts from his career, meaning that it's a little light on the violence factor. Jill Ireland plays the first lady, who has quite a mean streak to her in the film, her snobby attitude makes quite a pairing for her and Bronson's character. There are some comical moments here and there throughout the film, Bronson has more dialogue than usual which is nice, he adds a little rare touch of comic relief althroughout the film. I would recommend this movie to any Bronson fan, it's not Paul Kersey, but Jay Killian isn't too bad either.
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