An uneven thriller that would have been better served aiming for a lighter tone (and a lower age certificate). There are 15 more Mitch Rapp books, but a sequel feels unlikely.
American Assassin looks as if it is intended as the first in a series but there’s nothing here which we haven’t seen countless times before in Jason Bourne or Jack Reacher stories or that justifies a new movie.
What some will find a surprisingly unpredictable, action-packed bit of entertainment, others may find a politically dubious gun-and-bomb party, but this is one of the freshest political thrillers in years.
O’Brien demonstrates admirable deltoids and an ability to grow stubble as the character arc requires, but the attempt to rebrand counterterrorism manoeuvres as a heady extension of The Hunger Games falls somewhere between dimwitted and deeply cynical.
Quite boring in the end – a fun time at the movies, but not one we’ll remember.
This sub-Bourne secret service thriller lacks depth, charm and pizzazz.
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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