This isn't an awful movie and it does have some good moments, but I struggle to think that it really works. Firstly the story itself is pretty improbable although the idea of a mad surgeon wanted to experiment is not new it is still a bizarre thing to want to do, especially to worry about the quality of her work when changing the guys sex to female. Michelle Rodriguez does a pretty good acting job but never really convinces that she is ever male. From the outset it looked like a girl with a beard, apart from the shower scene where they must have used either CGI or good prosthetic. She also didn't really convince as an assassin and made some pretty silly errors of judgement but I guess that is down to the script rather than acting. So over all I have mixed feelings. It isn't a bad movie just not a great one.
140 Reviews
I am trans and was looking forward to this!
MsJackieO10 March 2017
Forget the uproar from sensitive trans groups, this film was never transphobic, it was just a classic revenge thriller. Waking up as the opposite sex is the worst thing imaginable for the overwhelming majority of society and tat's the crux of the film - not an attack on trans. If anything, its success would spark a franchise of a kick-ass trans-woman - talk about giving trans the spotlight! I am trans myself and I was looking forward to it as it seemed to be a throwback to the films I grew up on in the 80s when one man would avenge his life being ruined (usually his family being massacred). However this film was dull and muddled and riddled with exposition.
The biggest problem is that it's told in flashback and with lots of - literally - one character 'talking' the story to another (Frank to the camera, the Doctor to the other doctor) and as a result there was no tension only on the nose dialogue. The other problem was a completely unlikeable anti-hero in Frank and a completely unbelievable performance by Michelle Rodriguez who never once convinced she was a man with her female frame, female build, female skin and female voice. Similarly, Weaver's The Doctor was lacking. I appreciate she was playing an aloof, detached character but there was nothing to her character. There was no bad guy you wanted to root against just as there was no protagonist you wanted to root for.
This film could have been a solid, action-filled romp had it been told in a linear fashion and with stronger characterisation. As it was, it was a boring affair with too little action, style or interesting characters. The IDIOTS who say it's transphobic are, well, idiots. It's no more transphobic as Death Wish was phobic to people who have been raped and murdered.
The biggest problem is that it's told in flashback and with lots of - literally - one character 'talking' the story to another (Frank to the camera, the Doctor to the other doctor) and as a result there was no tension only on the nose dialogue. The other problem was a completely unlikeable anti-hero in Frank and a completely unbelievable performance by Michelle Rodriguez who never once convinced she was a man with her female frame, female build, female skin and female voice. Similarly, Weaver's The Doctor was lacking. I appreciate she was playing an aloof, detached character but there was nothing to her character. There was no bad guy you wanted to root against just as there was no protagonist you wanted to root for.
This film could have been a solid, action-filled romp had it been told in a linear fashion and with stronger characterisation. As it was, it was a boring affair with too little action, style or interesting characters. The IDIOTS who say it's transphobic are, well, idiots. It's no more transphobic as Death Wish was phobic to people who have been raped and murdered.
Very Strange Movie
lediscipledessocrates4 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I write this review utterly confused. I am tempted to pan this flick on account of bad acting, a weak plot and some outrageously ridiculous make-up stunts . But as I said, I am utterly confused. Could the director actually have intended the movie to be so ? I , for one, do not know.
Nevertheless, to begin things Sigourney Weaver ,synonymous with the Aliens franchise , is cast in the movie by the director ( Walter Hill , the producer of the Alien Franchise) an an intelligent surgeon . One can see obvious attempts to play Hannibal Lecter in some sequences.
Michelle Rodriguez lives through of one the worst make-up jobs I have seen in this genre. She plays a male-hit-man for the first few minutes in the movie . She looks very funny , though to her credit she doesn't act funny.
The action sequences are quite simple and matter of fact. Michelle comes in point the gun and shoots people without much ado. This is a relief because frankly I am tired of watching extended chase sequences shot with unsteady cameras, highly stylized but futile hand to hand combat scenes ( a trend started by the Jason Bourne series ).
Nothing much is kept from the audience and another good part about the screenplay is that characters confront each other and say things for they are . Despite some scenes of useless pseudo-philosophical banter involving Weaver, the movie is globally clean of complexity.
Even as I write this review I tempted to increase the movie's rating. Just did.
I wouldn't advise watching it deliberately. If you are on a flight or want to watch something to pass your time , it may serve the purpose very well.
Nevertheless, to begin things Sigourney Weaver ,synonymous with the Aliens franchise , is cast in the movie by the director ( Walter Hill , the producer of the Alien Franchise) an an intelligent surgeon . One can see obvious attempts to play Hannibal Lecter in some sequences.
Michelle Rodriguez lives through of one the worst make-up jobs I have seen in this genre. She plays a male-hit-man for the first few minutes in the movie . She looks very funny , though to her credit she doesn't act funny.
The action sequences are quite simple and matter of fact. Michelle comes in point the gun and shoots people without much ado. This is a relief because frankly I am tired of watching extended chase sequences shot with unsteady cameras, highly stylized but futile hand to hand combat scenes ( a trend started by the Jason Bourne series ).
Nothing much is kept from the audience and another good part about the screenplay is that characters confront each other and say things for they are . Despite some scenes of useless pseudo-philosophical banter involving Weaver, the movie is globally clean of complexity.
Even as I write this review I tempted to increase the movie's rating. Just did.
I wouldn't advise watching it deliberately. If you are on a flight or want to watch something to pass your time , it may serve the purpose very well.
Deeply Flawed But So Weird That It's Entertaining
Michael_Elliott23 February 2018
The Assignment (2016)
*** (out of 4)
Frank Kitchen (Michelle Rodriguez) is a hitman who pulls a job not knowing what impact it will have on him. It turns out that he murdered the brother of a doctor (Sigourney Weaver) who gets her revenge by kidnapping Frank and turning him into a woman. Now, as a woman, Frank must seek revenge against those who did this to him.
Walter Hill got back into the director's chair with THE ASSIGNMENT, which is certainly one of the biggest WTF movies to come along in a very long time. Seriously, this here is something you would have expected in the 1970s but not in today's political climate. Sure enough, the film was released to all sorts of controversy with various groups being offended by the story. I must admit that there are a lot of flaws with the movie but at the same time it's so darn weird that I couldn't help but be entertained.
As I said, this is a very strange movie on a lot of levels but if you've ever wanted to see Rodriguez with a beard and a dick then you'll love it. Yes, you actually see that as the film is quite sleazy in its own right and that includes a lot of nudity once the "female" side comes out. The movie is somewhat brave in what it attempts to do and I guess you could say that Rodriguez gives a rather brave performance. Not only is she constantly naked on the screen but this wasn't the easiest roles to pull off. She certainly handles the action quite nicely and she's strong enough to hold your attention throughout.
I think the biggest problem with the film are the scenes inside the mental hospital where the Weaver character is telling her story. These scenes really take away from the revenge side of things and there's just no doubt that these moments aren't nearly as entertaining as the stuff with the hitman seeking revenge. The action scenes are directed quite nicely by Hill and it was great seeing him add some style back to his films. The movie looks and sounds quite good but it does start to lose its story as it moves along.
THE ASSIGNMENT isn't a film meant for everyone but if you like weird movies you should find it entertaining.
*** (out of 4)
Frank Kitchen (Michelle Rodriguez) is a hitman who pulls a job not knowing what impact it will have on him. It turns out that he murdered the brother of a doctor (Sigourney Weaver) who gets her revenge by kidnapping Frank and turning him into a woman. Now, as a woman, Frank must seek revenge against those who did this to him.
Walter Hill got back into the director's chair with THE ASSIGNMENT, which is certainly one of the biggest WTF movies to come along in a very long time. Seriously, this here is something you would have expected in the 1970s but not in today's political climate. Sure enough, the film was released to all sorts of controversy with various groups being offended by the story. I must admit that there are a lot of flaws with the movie but at the same time it's so darn weird that I couldn't help but be entertained.
As I said, this is a very strange movie on a lot of levels but if you've ever wanted to see Rodriguez with a beard and a dick then you'll love it. Yes, you actually see that as the film is quite sleazy in its own right and that includes a lot of nudity once the "female" side comes out. The movie is somewhat brave in what it attempts to do and I guess you could say that Rodriguez gives a rather brave performance. Not only is she constantly naked on the screen but this wasn't the easiest roles to pull off. She certainly handles the action quite nicely and she's strong enough to hold your attention throughout.
I think the biggest problem with the film are the scenes inside the mental hospital where the Weaver character is telling her story. These scenes really take away from the revenge side of things and there's just no doubt that these moments aren't nearly as entertaining as the stuff with the hitman seeking revenge. The action scenes are directed quite nicely by Hill and it was great seeing him add some style back to his films. The movie looks and sounds quite good but it does start to lose its story as it moves along.
THE ASSIGNMENT isn't a film meant for everyone but if you like weird movies you should find it entertaining.
Not terrible, but...
supermario125 March 2020
Made it through an hour...
jordan22409 February 2021
...then started to doze off. Came to look at the reviews before deciding if I should finish it, and they made my decision for me - not going to. Women playing men never works in movies. They try to adjust their voices, and it just sounds fake. And most don't walk anything like men, and the hips certainly don't lie. Also, the transition was far to unbelievable - it was basically instant. Other than that, the action wasn't particularly exciting. No idea where the story line on Weaver's character goes, but I lost interest and simply don't care. I doubt you will either.
Mediocre action-packed film with thrills , chills, shootouts and lots of violence
ma-cortes7 February 2022
After waking up and discovering that he's been betrayed by gangsters (Anthony LaPaglia) and undergone gender reassignment surgery , an assassin (Michelle Rodriguez) aware he's been double crossed , then seeking to encounter the doctor responsible and at whatever cost . The hitman now a hitwoman sets out for vendetta against those who betrayed him , and he'll stop at nothing to get them , and eliminating one by one his enemies . Along the way , she is helped by a nurse named Johnnie (Caitlin Gerard) who also has dark secrets , too . One job changed it all !. A revenger's tale !. Payback's !.
Thriller crime containing unstopped action , betrayals galore , violent events , twists and turns . Lots of slam-bang action , shouting , swearing , shooting and there is graphic violence as well as other convenient elements with no much sense , at times it seems too similar to Hill's previous films . The Assignment (2016) is based on a story and script by Denis Hamill and director Walter Hill himself . The stars are pretty decent , but everything is predictable . Michelle Rodriguez provides a nice but unfriendly interpretation as an ace hired killer suddenly falling into the hands of rogue surgeon known as The Doctor who turns him into a woman. There are enough colourful roles in the support cast delivering acceptable acting, such as : Tony Shalhoub as a strange doctor , Anthony LaPaglia as a cunning mobster , Caitlin Gerard as the girl who aids the series killer , and brief performances from Ken Kirzinger , Darryl Quon , Adrian Hough , Caroline Chan, Paul McGillion and the great Sigourney Weaver giving the best acting .
It packs functional and atmospheric cinematography by cameraman James Liston . And moving and thrilling musical score by the veteran Giorgo Moroder and Raney Shockne . The motion picture was regular but professionally directed by Walter Hill , though here he hasn't improved his previous thrillers , resulting in an intriguing but boring and tiring flick .The veteran craftsman Hill is a good writer , producer , filmmaker who has made a lot of films of all kinds of genres , working from late 60s , early 70s to nowadays . As he has directed action movies as Hard times , The driver , Southern comfort , The warriors , Extreme prejudice , 48 Hours , Another 48 hours , Last man standing , Johnny Handsome , Undisputed. Science fiction genre : Supernova . Western: Geronimo American legend , Wild Bill , Long riders . Comedy : Brewster's millions . Terror : Tales of the Crypt . Musical : Crossroads . The Assignment (2016) Rating 5/10. Average and inferior than others Walter Hill pics.
Thriller crime containing unstopped action , betrayals galore , violent events , twists and turns . Lots of slam-bang action , shouting , swearing , shooting and there is graphic violence as well as other convenient elements with no much sense , at times it seems too similar to Hill's previous films . The Assignment (2016) is based on a story and script by Denis Hamill and director Walter Hill himself . The stars are pretty decent , but everything is predictable . Michelle Rodriguez provides a nice but unfriendly interpretation as an ace hired killer suddenly falling into the hands of rogue surgeon known as The Doctor who turns him into a woman. There are enough colourful roles in the support cast delivering acceptable acting, such as : Tony Shalhoub as a strange doctor , Anthony LaPaglia as a cunning mobster , Caitlin Gerard as the girl who aids the series killer , and brief performances from Ken Kirzinger , Darryl Quon , Adrian Hough , Caroline Chan, Paul McGillion and the great Sigourney Weaver giving the best acting .
It packs functional and atmospheric cinematography by cameraman James Liston . And moving and thrilling musical score by the veteran Giorgo Moroder and Raney Shockne . The motion picture was regular but professionally directed by Walter Hill , though here he hasn't improved his previous thrillers , resulting in an intriguing but boring and tiring flick .The veteran craftsman Hill is a good writer , producer , filmmaker who has made a lot of films of all kinds of genres , working from late 60s , early 70s to nowadays . As he has directed action movies as Hard times , The driver , Southern comfort , The warriors , Extreme prejudice , 48 Hours , Another 48 hours , Last man standing , Johnny Handsome , Undisputed. Science fiction genre : Supernova . Western: Geronimo American legend , Wild Bill , Long riders . Comedy : Brewster's millions . Terror : Tales of the Crypt . Musical : Crossroads . The Assignment (2016) Rating 5/10. Average and inferior than others Walter Hill pics.
Deserves a better rank
captaintetanus11 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I'd never heard of this, happened upon it on HBO. Someone else here said this is a weird movie and worth watching, and that review made me give it a chance. Glad I did. Weird movie indeed. Michelle Rodriguez does an amazing job in this role. I didn't think they'd pull it off so well. Spoilers after this point. Definitely quit reading if you haven't seen it and plan to. Let it be a surprise.
In the scenes when Frank wakes up as a woman, the acting is great. How she leaves her robe open like someone new to being a woman would. How she moves like a man throughout the movie, and gotta love the huge penis shot while frank is still a man. What a fun role for Rodriguez, walking around with that thing. Also, seeing her acting like a man after she's a woman is fun. So out of place to see a woman wrecking up the place in anger, or even just being so direct and rude for a woman, but normal for a man.
Overall the movie is a 6, but I give it an extra point for its uniqueness and because people are rating it too harshly. It's entertaining throughout. It falls between categories, it's not a great action movie, but it's a good concept movie. You'll think about it multiple times in the weeks after seeing it. I suspect some men are made uncomfortable by the movie and it lost points for lacking sexy sex scenes. Cmon guys, it has nudity, just go with it. It's a fun movie.
Like someone on here already said, it's weird and worth watching if you like weird movies.
In the scenes when Frank wakes up as a woman, the acting is great. How she leaves her robe open like someone new to being a woman would. How she moves like a man throughout the movie, and gotta love the huge penis shot while frank is still a man. What a fun role for Rodriguez, walking around with that thing. Also, seeing her acting like a man after she's a woman is fun. So out of place to see a woman wrecking up the place in anger, or even just being so direct and rude for a woman, but normal for a man.
Overall the movie is a 6, but I give it an extra point for its uniqueness and because people are rating it too harshly. It's entertaining throughout. It falls between categories, it's not a great action movie, but it's a good concept movie. You'll think about it multiple times in the weeks after seeing it. I suspect some men are made uncomfortable by the movie and it lost points for lacking sexy sex scenes. Cmon guys, it has nudity, just go with it. It's a fun movie.
Like someone on here already said, it's weird and worth watching if you like weird movies.
Its so bad i made an account on IMDb just to say that
gomez_mn8 March 2017
I mean for a movie with these good names in it, you would expect something good. I ain't saying perfect, but good. I was going to end the movie somewhere after it started because it was really terrible, looked very cheap and made up. Plot is even worse. The story can get a 3 maybe, but its really bad. Maybe because of the famous faces in it, i don't know, i got some expectations before hand. But still, don't waste your time on it. I just did an account to tell u that.
Charming viewing experience
Jafreeman7216 March 2020
First time reviewer. What prompted me to write about this movie is how unusual it is. Interesting premise, and yet written as if by a talented high schooler. The dialogue is so obviously artificial and yet written with artistic intent. An unsympathetic viewer will rightly trash the film as juvenile, and yet a more open viewing may perceive the strained charm that the film almost achieves.
Consider the experiment. Would changing a violent man's gender change him for the better? Interesting question (at least for me). More broadly, how would such a man respond to the sudden change? The movie attempts to present this scenario and provide an interesting response. I think it succeeds.
Look past the actual effects that change Rodriquez into a man. Sure, they don't perfectly succeed, but suspend your critical attention and accept the basic fact of his existence. You can also look past Weaver's awkward dialogue and forced encounters and simply take what she says without concern for verisimilitude, if you can.
This film is deeply flawed and deserves a poor grade, and yet offers an interesting and fairly entertaining experience. I would take this over the multitude of blockbusters that spend millions on special effects and star actors and then forget to pay a decent writer. Movies that have no point, no ambition, and nothing to say.
Well, the Assignment as something to say, and it's worth hearing.
Consider the experiment. Would changing a violent man's gender change him for the better? Interesting question (at least for me). More broadly, how would such a man respond to the sudden change? The movie attempts to present this scenario and provide an interesting response. I think it succeeds.
Look past the actual effects that change Rodriquez into a man. Sure, they don't perfectly succeed, but suspend your critical attention and accept the basic fact of his existence. You can also look past Weaver's awkward dialogue and forced encounters and simply take what she says without concern for verisimilitude, if you can.
This film is deeply flawed and deserves a poor grade, and yet offers an interesting and fairly entertaining experience. I would take this over the multitude of blockbusters that spend millions on special effects and star actors and then forget to pay a decent writer. Movies that have no point, no ambition, and nothing to say.
Well, the Assignment as something to say, and it's worth hearing.
A movie with such an odd, and quite honestly original idea for a premise, somehow winds up being wholly unambitious and uninteresting.
johnplocar23 April 2017
The plot is centered on a hit man named Frank Kitchen, played by Michelle Rodriguez, who pisses off the wrong black market plastic surgeon (Sigourney Weaver) by killing her brother being Rodriguez's assignment. Exacting her revenge on Kitchen, the doctor in a rather unorthodox method forces a sex change operation on him to become a woman as a form of psychological torture on Frank to endure the rest of his/her life without any way of fully reversing the procedure. Obviously a tad bit peeved by this, Frank Kitchen seeks retribution for the crimes committed against his body and goes on a one-way killing spree to end the evil doctor's rein of terror.
On paper, this sounds like it would be interesting. No matter what one person's views may be on how good or bad the premise sounds, it is a safe bet that most would hear this synopsis and be at least a little intrigued by it. I can't say that I've ever come across a movie with a plot motivation even remotely similar to "The Assignment". Unfortunately the execution felt sloppy, drawn out, dull, and all around unoriginal. This same exact movie could probably exist beat for beat without the introduction to any sort of gender reassignment operation in the script. Just another quick rewrite and this is your basic revenge film, only with far less interesting characters or action set pieces to be entranced by. The movie goes back and forth within its timeline to tell the story with one line following the plot of Frank Kitchen getting the procedure done to him and seeking answers as well as revenge on the doctor. The second line is set after the events of Kitchen finding and putting an end to the doctor's black market business with the doctor being interviewed by a psychiatrist in an insane asylum about what really went down. The secondary thread feels like a waste of time only to put the plot on hold and pad out the film to make its 90 minute run time.
If everything containing Sigourney Weaver in the interview sections were taken out, while putting more focus on the actual main plot to include maybe some more character development and hopefully a lot more action beats, this movie would have succeeded at being an entertaining sit. Unfortunately those sections remain, leaving the story to feel dry and leaving zero impact. I know little to nothing about Frank Kitchen, nor do I care about him/her. Michelle Rodriguez does a great job, as always, being a total bad-ass. She carries her own very well, knows how to come across as intense and cool at all times. Her character just has little for her to work with, but she sells being a man forcefully transitioned into a woman terrifically.
As I mentioned before, the movie could have used some more action beats. The action is so minimal and shortly lived I couldn't find much fun to be had. No real intensity or thrills from any action scene on screen. The script comes across as if the writer was twiddling his thumbs until the script reached the hour and a half mark. It has no bite to the action or story, no defining personality that can't be found in countless other revenge films, and such limited humor with a premise as quirky as this could have greatly used. Plus with a plot revolving a hit man turned into a woman, the writers had so many opportunities to play with that idea. There are several scenarios, gimmicks, tricks, and just fun that could have been toyed around with to mix things up and give a much more unique experience. Instead the screenplay squanders this and gives nothing in return. It's as though the first act setup and the prologue were extended and edited into the entirety of the film. For myself, that didn't work and I found myself pretty bored throughout. Also there was one or two plot twists that of course a film like this has, one of them made zero sense and could have been cut while the other had no emotional impact on me whatsoever.
This movie is from the same director that gave us "The Warriors", "48 Hours", "Another 48 Hours", "The Driver", "Red Heat", "Last Man Standing"...this man knows how to make an action movie. This man knows how to make a unique premise memorable, fun, humorous, intense, cool, and exhilarating. I don't understand what happened here. From the direction I could tell this was Walter Hill's style, it is a decent looking film with competently made action sequences. Rare as those scenes may be. In the end, this film isn't truly awful but it doesn't have nearly enough entertainment value to it in order for myself to recommend it. Michelle Rodriguez has a good action lead presence, but isn't given enough character to sink her teeth into. Sigourney Weaver plays crazy pretty well and I did like her performance, but there was more character development provided for her in detriment to Rodriguez's character. The action held little to no impact or energy and the story is nothing memorable. I got nothing else for this movie and I honestly wrote about it way more than I intended. Go watch "The Warriors" if you need a Walter Hill action movie fix.
On paper, this sounds like it would be interesting. No matter what one person's views may be on how good or bad the premise sounds, it is a safe bet that most would hear this synopsis and be at least a little intrigued by it. I can't say that I've ever come across a movie with a plot motivation even remotely similar to "The Assignment". Unfortunately the execution felt sloppy, drawn out, dull, and all around unoriginal. This same exact movie could probably exist beat for beat without the introduction to any sort of gender reassignment operation in the script. Just another quick rewrite and this is your basic revenge film, only with far less interesting characters or action set pieces to be entranced by. The movie goes back and forth within its timeline to tell the story with one line following the plot of Frank Kitchen getting the procedure done to him and seeking answers as well as revenge on the doctor. The second line is set after the events of Kitchen finding and putting an end to the doctor's black market business with the doctor being interviewed by a psychiatrist in an insane asylum about what really went down. The secondary thread feels like a waste of time only to put the plot on hold and pad out the film to make its 90 minute run time.
If everything containing Sigourney Weaver in the interview sections were taken out, while putting more focus on the actual main plot to include maybe some more character development and hopefully a lot more action beats, this movie would have succeeded at being an entertaining sit. Unfortunately those sections remain, leaving the story to feel dry and leaving zero impact. I know little to nothing about Frank Kitchen, nor do I care about him/her. Michelle Rodriguez does a great job, as always, being a total bad-ass. She carries her own very well, knows how to come across as intense and cool at all times. Her character just has little for her to work with, but she sells being a man forcefully transitioned into a woman terrifically.
As I mentioned before, the movie could have used some more action beats. The action is so minimal and shortly lived I couldn't find much fun to be had. No real intensity or thrills from any action scene on screen. The script comes across as if the writer was twiddling his thumbs until the script reached the hour and a half mark. It has no bite to the action or story, no defining personality that can't be found in countless other revenge films, and such limited humor with a premise as quirky as this could have greatly used. Plus with a plot revolving a hit man turned into a woman, the writers had so many opportunities to play with that idea. There are several scenarios, gimmicks, tricks, and just fun that could have been toyed around with to mix things up and give a much more unique experience. Instead the screenplay squanders this and gives nothing in return. It's as though the first act setup and the prologue were extended and edited into the entirety of the film. For myself, that didn't work and I found myself pretty bored throughout. Also there was one or two plot twists that of course a film like this has, one of them made zero sense and could have been cut while the other had no emotional impact on me whatsoever.
This movie is from the same director that gave us "The Warriors", "48 Hours", "Another 48 Hours", "The Driver", "Red Heat", "Last Man Standing"...this man knows how to make an action movie. This man knows how to make a unique premise memorable, fun, humorous, intense, cool, and exhilarating. I don't understand what happened here. From the direction I could tell this was Walter Hill's style, it is a decent looking film with competently made action sequences. Rare as those scenes may be. In the end, this film isn't truly awful but it doesn't have nearly enough entertainment value to it in order for myself to recommend it. Michelle Rodriguez has a good action lead presence, but isn't given enough character to sink her teeth into. Sigourney Weaver plays crazy pretty well and I did like her performance, but there was more character development provided for her in detriment to Rodriguez's character. The action held little to no impact or energy and the story is nothing memorable. I got nothing else for this movie and I honestly wrote about it way more than I intended. Go watch "The Warriors" if you need a Walter Hill action movie fix.
After reading other reviews....
mightymike009126 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I wrote a review, then read others. Certainly tastes and opinions will vary. But the perceptions of reviewers of misogyny, and anti LGBTQ are stunning. The mad doctor performed many such operations on the willing. This was her attempt to not only put Frank Kitchen in his own hell, but to misguidedly make him more "human" or compassionate as a woman. That is more anti-man! As a hetero man, i can't think of much worse than "losing my manhood" physically. Kitchens initial response was right on! The horror was not being a woman, but losing your entire self identity. I think many with a chip on their shoulder are just looking for hate. I like revenge movies and it seemed to be over too quickly and easily. The nudity was apprpriate for the message at each point in the plot. I was really intrigued by what Frank might have done to the mad doctor. Shown at the end. I thought it would be more sexual. But Frank Kitchen wouldn't have surgical skills.
Finally, the cop in me knows people use fake names, gang names, monikers, for various reasons. Like "Big Eddie", or "Tiny", even full names. Shaloubs insistence that "Frank Kitchen " was made up because of no record is preposterous.
It was a unique premise (glossing over the inevitable regrowth of facial and body hair) and a worthy shot. I love women, but this premise is one of us guys nightmares. The scene of trying to get it reversed was realistic and necessary.
It was unnecessary for Frank to rob the hotel till, then immediately go to his stash of cash. But it was showing that he was still a bad guy and wasn't changed.
Liking this movie doesnt mean i like people to get killed, or i like hitmen. Neither is it subconsciously anti women or anti LGBTQ. Some of you like to imagine your own monsters from the id, i suspect.
A different kind of action thriller...
paul_haakonsen6 June 2017
Yay, another movie with two of my favorite female performers; Michelle Rodriguez and Sigourney Weaver in the same movie. Actually, I had not read up about this movie prior to getting the chance to sit down and watch it. All that mattered was it was an action/thriller movie with two of the most talented and charismatic of female actresses in Hollywood.
"The Assignment" didn't fail to impress. Surely, the storyline was a bit offbeat, but that quickly seeped in and you get with the story and movie quickly enough. And it was rather surreal to see Michelle Rodriguez as a man in the beginning of the movie, but it was done so nicely that it actually looked quite real. Color me impressed.
Of course it is a bit redundant to mention that "The Assignment" had a really impressive cast ensemble. And even more needless is it to say that both Michelle Rodriguez and Sigourney Weaver were really impressive in this movie. Rodriguez carried the action and butt-kicking part, while Weaver was superb in a deranged sort of diabolical doctor role. It was also nice to have both Tony Shalhoub and Anthony LaPaglia in the movie, despite having only supportive roles.
The story in "The Assignment" was good, although it could have been better with a bit more action. But of course, that is a matter of personal preference. There was a bit too much focus on the drama and storytelling for my liking, so of course I would have liked more action sequences.
"The Assignment" is an entertaining movie and I found it to be quite well worth sitting down to watch. However, truthfully, then I think that it is a movie that doesn't really have enough contents to sustain multiple viewings.
"The Assignment" didn't fail to impress. Surely, the storyline was a bit offbeat, but that quickly seeped in and you get with the story and movie quickly enough. And it was rather surreal to see Michelle Rodriguez as a man in the beginning of the movie, but it was done so nicely that it actually looked quite real. Color me impressed.
Of course it is a bit redundant to mention that "The Assignment" had a really impressive cast ensemble. And even more needless is it to say that both Michelle Rodriguez and Sigourney Weaver were really impressive in this movie. Rodriguez carried the action and butt-kicking part, while Weaver was superb in a deranged sort of diabolical doctor role. It was also nice to have both Tony Shalhoub and Anthony LaPaglia in the movie, despite having only supportive roles.
The story in "The Assignment" was good, although it could have been better with a bit more action. But of course, that is a matter of personal preference. There was a bit too much focus on the drama and storytelling for my liking, so of course I would have liked more action sequences.
"The Assignment" is an entertaining movie and I found it to be quite well worth sitting down to watch. However, truthfully, then I think that it is a movie that doesn't really have enough contents to sustain multiple viewings.
bad movie
coolprince0323222 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Frank (Michelle Rodriguez) a very skilled assigns get kidnapped and then had a procedure gender change, and now changed from a man to a woman, seeks vengeance upon the gang that made like that.
The story was concentrating on getting vengeance from the bad guys. Acting, Michelle Rodriguez did a great performance in the film, also Sigourney Weaver who was did a good role, from a long time did not did. Directing so much bad, too many scenes was not important too many details were not important also. No soundtrack good neither sound effects.
The story was concentrating on getting vengeance from the bad guys. Acting, Michelle Rodriguez did a great performance in the film, also Sigourney Weaver who was did a good role, from a long time did not did. Directing so much bad, too many scenes was not important too many details were not important also. No soundtrack good neither sound effects.
Ummm...???
akasha_39 October 2020
Love Michelle Rodriguez. Love Sigourney Weaver. But, what...in the world...was that?? Original concept. Poor execution. It's not so much about their acting. It's just that no one, in their right mind, would buy into Rodriguez being a man. She's way too feminine. Not to mention, the writing is horrible. This neo-noir wannabe film just doesn't quite hit the mark. I do not recommend this...to anyone.
Very Strange Film.
georgelewisfroud11 October 2018
Some places it's called Tomboy and some places it's called The Assignment, I'm Confused!!. Anyway, it's a very strange and somewhat creepy film in my opinion that I never really got in to. Some really bad acting in parts by the cast and Michelle Rodriguez who I usually rate highly!.
Also, I didn't really see the point of some of the characters but maybe I'm missing something.
In conclusion, it was very dull and quite a mess. I wouldn't recommend.
Also, I didn't really see the point of some of the characters but maybe I'm missing something.
In conclusion, it was very dull and quite a mess. I wouldn't recommend.
an enjoyable twist
mike_mcmillan9 March 2017
I think Michelle Rodriguez did a great job. Her attitude was that of a man, yet when she started stripping she still enticed!
The story line was interesting enough to keep watching and Sigourney did a great job with her superiority complex and cold confident statements.
~give change a chance.
The story line was interesting enough to keep watching and Sigourney did a great job with her superiority complex and cold confident statements.
~give change a chance.
Your assignment will be to watch something else
benjackson-4295224 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
When I read the synopsis I was sceptical about this film and should if seen it as a warning. The whole layout of the film seems clumsy and the acting at times is laughable, especially Michelle Rodriguez's "male" voice.
Sigourney Weaver's role in the film seems uncalled for when she could just of been at the beg8nnibg and the end instead of constantly going back and forth, and she doesn't really seem up yo being one of the main villains of the film.
Avoid!
Sigourney Weaver's role in the film seems uncalled for when she could just of been at the beg8nnibg and the end instead of constantly going back and forth, and she doesn't really seem up yo being one of the main villains of the film.
Avoid!
Cult movie from the director of "the Warriors"
jayce227919 March 2017
I don't understand why this film gets such poor reviews. Sure, Sigourney Weavers' weren't the best lines she has ever spoken in front of a camera, but, all in all, I thought "the Assignment" was a decent old school action movie, directed by Walter Hill (of "the Warriors" fame). I felt like Michelle Rodriguez did a credible job as a transgender to the point where, like another reviewer on this website mentioned, I found myself thinking of her as a man, even during the nude scenes, and I thought her performance while she comes to terms with what has happened to her to be very much how I imagine I would feel myself if I would wake up a woman one day. Of course, this is not a psychological drama but an action movie, so the main focus is on that and I thought Walter Hill did a very good job creating a dark, gritty atmosphere, which, combined with a synthesizer soundtrack that reminded me of John Carpenter, plenty of nudity and Michelle Rodriguez' biker jacket to turn this movie into an instant cult classic.
Should be a zero rating
dinalt1023 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
With 2 strong female leads this should have been a great film.
However, both actresses are let down by poor script and direction.
With more care, this could have been a 'B' movie classic. As it is, save your time and money and find something else to watch.
Extra line to satisfy review criteria.
However, both actresses are let down by poor script and direction.
With more care, this could have been a 'B' movie classic. As it is, save your time and money and find something else to watch.
Extra line to satisfy review criteria.
I thought it was good. Definitely can't say it wasn't creative.
angiris4 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
"One thing's for sure, change is gonna come"
Yup. Right there. Its certainly different and I honestly enjoy that. I was afraid the film would be too cliché but in my own opinion it did enough to stand out. We are dealing with a Michelle Rodriguez Warpath flick and it's fun to watch if you're into gunslinging vendettas where everyone is a bad guy.
That is also where the film stands out. There are no saints in this film. Our main character is dislikable, cruel, and full of hate assassin. We have no reason to care about the fact that he was wronged because he himself is hardly a saint. Its just a tale of underground vengeance.
Now that would be cliché and in a way this film is partially as well. But luckily we get Sigourney Weaver to portray a rogue doctor with a very particular vision of a better world. Who also has it out for masculinity, viewing it as a prime source for evil very roughly stated.
After having lost her brother to Frank Kitchen ( Our main character) and decides to not only get back on him, she plans to do an experiment to assess how much physical identity matters to us. By turning Frank into a woman perhaps that would remove the masculinity dominating his mind and have him start over, as a better man.
It of course doesn't work out that way and to our benefit we get an okay action flick with Rodriguez killing pretty much almost everybody.
The film stand attempts to be diverse by not just being a run of the mill shooter, by including psychological and philosophical theory as well as in depth dialog with primarily the doctor to paint us a picture of either how much of a wicked visionary she is... or completely arrogant and egotistic. Thats up to the viewer to decide.
It find it to be a mix personally, making it all so much more satisfying to see her being brought down at the end because she really didn't see it coming. Its worth pointing out one could mistakenly view many of these scenes as poorly acted but it's really not the case. Weaver is trying to portray a woman, full of herself, very smart, sophisticated, philosophically intrigued and more. And in doing so she adopts the attitude of supreme arrogance and almost a god complex in a way. Sense of superiority. Because her vision allows her to to possess something greater than those around her. Something she actually states in the film by highlighting shes held captive by those lesser minded.
Oh she's truly antagonizing. I found it hilarious because Weaver portrays the character really well. Cold, calculated, sarcastic and pragmatic with a touch of "I'm better than you and you're mentally incapable of comprehending it"
Oh it's good.
Aside from these cool aspects primarily causing the difference in the film we got Michelle kicking butt, killing, destroying and being equally as cold and stern. However the film has one problem.
Its core concept of centering the film around a dislikable character isn't to everyones liking. Nor is it intended to be. Its telling a specific story. But what would have been interesting would to have seen more character build or background or something to make us care more.
But then again. That would be something not at all intended for here. And that brings me down to what this really is.
This is an action packed vendetta flick consistent of violence, hatred, deception mixed with psychological and philosophical elements to diversify our villains intentions as well as trying to prove a point.
In my opinion being that of identity isn't just what we look like. Its as Sigourney Weavers character even states. Something we deeply believe.
Regardless of out physical appearance. Of course the film isn't a masterpiece in the sense of portraying a grander scheme of things but as a film goer that enjoys psychological, and/or philosophical plots I enjoyed this.
As for seeing it twice, probably wont. But it's worth your time if only to enjoy Sigourney Weavers spitefulness of other characters, let alone just relaxing as Michelle Rodriguez is leaving behind trail of dead bodies.
The film ends ironically. Doctors plans backfiring, Rodriguez vanishing and thats that. Not much to say. Its an ending. I personally felt it would have been better if it had ended before it ended and in more grim fashion but well. Personal prefference and all.
6 out of 10. I found it to be above average. It's progression is very typical and doesn't have much depth at all, but its plot and characters is what's saving it from a lower score of 5. Credit to the actors? Of course. But also to the writers for including a bit of character depth and good dialog. Putting it closer but not entirely to a psychological thriller than just action.
Final thoughts: Watch if you enjoy action that isn't mindless and appreciate psychological and philosophical aspects in your films. While not as present as I would like considering it is its definitive strength, it is present to some degree.
It's an okay film.
Yup. Right there. Its certainly different and I honestly enjoy that. I was afraid the film would be too cliché but in my own opinion it did enough to stand out. We are dealing with a Michelle Rodriguez Warpath flick and it's fun to watch if you're into gunslinging vendettas where everyone is a bad guy.
That is also where the film stands out. There are no saints in this film. Our main character is dislikable, cruel, and full of hate assassin. We have no reason to care about the fact that he was wronged because he himself is hardly a saint. Its just a tale of underground vengeance.
Now that would be cliché and in a way this film is partially as well. But luckily we get Sigourney Weaver to portray a rogue doctor with a very particular vision of a better world. Who also has it out for masculinity, viewing it as a prime source for evil very roughly stated.
After having lost her brother to Frank Kitchen ( Our main character) and decides to not only get back on him, she plans to do an experiment to assess how much physical identity matters to us. By turning Frank into a woman perhaps that would remove the masculinity dominating his mind and have him start over, as a better man.
It of course doesn't work out that way and to our benefit we get an okay action flick with Rodriguez killing pretty much almost everybody.
The film stand attempts to be diverse by not just being a run of the mill shooter, by including psychological and philosophical theory as well as in depth dialog with primarily the doctor to paint us a picture of either how much of a wicked visionary she is... or completely arrogant and egotistic. Thats up to the viewer to decide.
It find it to be a mix personally, making it all so much more satisfying to see her being brought down at the end because she really didn't see it coming. Its worth pointing out one could mistakenly view many of these scenes as poorly acted but it's really not the case. Weaver is trying to portray a woman, full of herself, very smart, sophisticated, philosophically intrigued and more. And in doing so she adopts the attitude of supreme arrogance and almost a god complex in a way. Sense of superiority. Because her vision allows her to to possess something greater than those around her. Something she actually states in the film by highlighting shes held captive by those lesser minded.
Oh she's truly antagonizing. I found it hilarious because Weaver portrays the character really well. Cold, calculated, sarcastic and pragmatic with a touch of "I'm better than you and you're mentally incapable of comprehending it"
Oh it's good.
Aside from these cool aspects primarily causing the difference in the film we got Michelle kicking butt, killing, destroying and being equally as cold and stern. However the film has one problem.
Its core concept of centering the film around a dislikable character isn't to everyones liking. Nor is it intended to be. Its telling a specific story. But what would have been interesting would to have seen more character build or background or something to make us care more.
But then again. That would be something not at all intended for here. And that brings me down to what this really is.
This is an action packed vendetta flick consistent of violence, hatred, deception mixed with psychological and philosophical elements to diversify our villains intentions as well as trying to prove a point.
In my opinion being that of identity isn't just what we look like. Its as Sigourney Weavers character even states. Something we deeply believe.
Regardless of out physical appearance. Of course the film isn't a masterpiece in the sense of portraying a grander scheme of things but as a film goer that enjoys psychological, and/or philosophical plots I enjoyed this.
As for seeing it twice, probably wont. But it's worth your time if only to enjoy Sigourney Weavers spitefulness of other characters, let alone just relaxing as Michelle Rodriguez is leaving behind trail of dead bodies.
The film ends ironically. Doctors plans backfiring, Rodriguez vanishing and thats that. Not much to say. Its an ending. I personally felt it would have been better if it had ended before it ended and in more grim fashion but well. Personal prefference and all.
6 out of 10. I found it to be above average. It's progression is very typical and doesn't have much depth at all, but its plot and characters is what's saving it from a lower score of 5. Credit to the actors? Of course. But also to the writers for including a bit of character depth and good dialog. Putting it closer but not entirely to a psychological thriller than just action.
Final thoughts: Watch if you enjoy action that isn't mindless and appreciate psychological and philosophical aspects in your films. While not as present as I would like considering it is its definitive strength, it is present to some degree.
It's an okay film.
I really want to know what was the motivation behind this.
FunkyBoi3228 March 2019
I mean.. What the hell am I even watched? Walter Hill was such a talented director, what happend here? The plot, the characters, the ending, the lead and even the damn actions.. Everything is a mess. Please do not watch this horrible movie!
It entertaining in a very weird way
phanthinga10 March 2017
The Assignment without a doubt will be the new cult classic of this generation with one of the most crazy and insane plot that i can only imagine.Directed by Walter Hill a man that deliver many great action movie in the 90s this movie told a bloody revenge story about a hit- man named Frank Kitchen played by Michelle Rodriguez(I know right) a guy with a girly face,a girly body and a girly voice get a transgender surgery by a doctor played by Sigourney Weaver after killing her brother now he has to seeking for justice with his new identity as a girl.Repeat this is not you usual girl with gun on the run but movie when is dealing with a lot of modern controversial topic and taboo stuff that for me is very intriguing to hear.The character is flesh out very well when each of them has their own character depth and they chemistry on screen is on point.The action is not all that new and amazing just you typical Run 'n Gun but it pretty solid for the most part.Recommend it for anyone who not offend by the stuff i list up there
I loved it
bhcliff6 March 2017
I don't understand why it it has scored so low. I really liked it. It was a bit slow to start and a bit complicated. It may have been a bit too confronting for some viewers as it pushed boundaries. overall a good film that was a bit different from the rest. If you are middle America then don't bother to watch it.
Gender-swap dud
Leofwine_draca11 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
TOMBOY is posited as some kind of gender-swap action thriller but in reality it's merely an indie drama with great expectations which are dashed early on. Michelle Rodriguez plays an assassin, starting out as a guy, only to wake up to find that she's become a woman thanks to some unorthodox gender reassignment work. The problem is that the male Rodriguez looks like nothing more than the actress with a glued-on beard and some dodgy CGI work. This aspect of the movie feels like little more than a gimmick and Rodriguez's gruff voice is pretty pathetic too. The rest of the film is the usual low rent mix of bad guys and cheap-looking action scenes which invariably disappoint. Pity poor old Sigourney Weaver, stuck in one of those roles where she's constantly talking in a room and looking very bored.
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