History Film / Assassins

Assassins is a 1995 action film, directed by Creator/RichardDonner. It involves the competition between two rival assassins, one an older, veteran assassin and the other a reckless younger challenger eager to become the top assassin in the world. The main stars were SylvesterStallone, AntonioBanderas and JulianneMoore.

While throughout the film Rath is treated as an old man and Bain as a young punk, [[DawsonCasting the ages of the actors didn't particularly help]]. Stallone was 49 years old, Banderas 35-years old. Part of it was the original casting ideas, called for the Rath role going to SeanConnery, MichaelDouglas and/or Creator/ArnoldSchwarzenegger. (At the time Connery was in his 60s, Douglas in 50s, Schwarzenegger in his 40s). Ideas for casting Bain included TomCruise, WoodyHarrelson and Creator/ChristianSlater. (Again, at the time Cruise and Harrelson were in their early 30s, Slater in his 20s).

Assassins is a 1995 action film, directed by RichardDonner. It involves the competition between two rival assassins, one an older, veteran assassin and the other a reckless younger challenger eager to become the top assassin in the world. The main stars were SylvesterStallone, AntonioBanderas and JulianneMoore.

* SurveillanceAsThePlotDemands: Electra keeps surveillance of every room in her apartment block. Not that any users are aware of it.

* UnwittingPawn: [[spoiler:Both Rath and Bain are being manipulated by their employer, Rath's old friend Nikolai]].

While throughout the film Rath is treated as an old man and Bain as a young punk, [[DawsonCasting the ages of the actors didn't particularly help]]. Stallone was 49 years old, Banderas 35-years old. Part of it was the original casting ideas, called for the Rath role going to SeanConnery, MichaelDouglas and/or Creator/ArnoldSchwarzenegger. (At the time Connery was in his 60s, Douglas in 50s, Schwarzenegger in his 40s). Ideas for casting Bain included TomCruise, WoodyHarrelson and ChristianSlater. (Again, at the time Cruise and Harrelson were in their early 30s, Slater in his 20s).

* {{Foreshadowing}}/ChessMotifs: Early on, Rath examines an incomplete chess game between him and his former partner Nikolai after Bain whispers "Bishop takes Rook Pawn". The move turns out to be the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_gift_sacrifice Greek gift sacrifice]], a powerful attack. This [[{{Foreshadowing}} foreshadows]] that Rath is an UnwittingPawn, [[spoiler:and his original opponent is TheChessmaster]].

While throughout the film Rath is treated as an old man and Bain as a young punk, [[DawsonCasting the ages of the actors didn't particularly help]]. Stallone was 49 years old, Banderas 35-years old. Part of it was the original casting ideas, called for the Rath role going to SeanConnery, MichaelDouglas and/or Creator/ArnoldSchwarzenegger. (At the time Connery was in his 60s, Douglas in 50s, Schwarzenegger in his 40s). Ideas for casting Bain included TomCruise and ChristianSlater. (Again, at the time Cruise was in his early 30s, Slater in his 20s).

The main scriptwriters, Larry and Andy Wachowski, ended up protesting several changes in their script, which they felt made the final product too different from what they had conceived. This did not prevent them from selling to the same producer, Joel Silver, a second script they had completed alongside Assassins. "TheMatrix" would not be ready for release until 1999. While not a critical hit, the Assassins was a modest commercial hit. It earned about $83,506,268 in the International market. With about 30 million from the United States market, it was the 59th most successful film of its year.

While throughout the film Rath is treated as an old man and Bain as a young punk, [[DawsonCasting the ages of the actors didn't particularly help]]. Stallone was 49 years old, Banderas 35-years old. Part of it was the original casting ideas, called for the Rath role going to SeanConnery, MichaelDouglas and/or ArnoldSchwarzenegger. (At the time Connery was in his 60s, Douglas in 50s, Schwarzenegger in his 40s). Ideas for casting Bain included TomCruise and ChristianSlater. (Again, at the time Cruise was in his early 30s, Slater in his 20s).

* SurvivorGuilt: Rath has this regarding the death of Nikolai.

* GunpointBanter: Justified as Rath and Bain are talking in a [[NotMyDriver stolen taxi]] with a sheet of bulletproof glass between them. And Bain still tries to shoot Bain anyway, just in case the glass isn't tough enough.

* NotMyDriver: Rath uses a stolen taxi to pull this on Bain, but he realises what's happening just in time.

* UnknownRival: Miguelito.

* CareerKillers

* HitmanWithAHeart

* ThatsWhatIWouldDo: Rath can anticipate some of Bain's moves because it's just what he would have done. (Or did).
** This is also because Bain has a thing for reproducing old assassinations, including one he got from Roman history.

* NotSoDifferent: Rath can anticipate some of Bain's moves because it's just what he would have done. (Or did).

* FakeOutMakeOut: Two Interpol agents do this but they couldn't fool Miguel.

* EmbarrassingMiddleName: Rath's (forgot exactly what it was).

* UnwittingPawn: [[spoiler:Both Rath and Bain are being manipulated by their employer, Rath's old friend Nikolai]].
* WhyDontYouJustShootHim: Averted as Rath and Bain are talking in a stolen taxi with a sheet of bulletproof glass between them.

* UnwittingPawn: [[spoiler:Both Rath and Bain are being manipulated by their employer, Rath's old friend Nikolai]].

* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: You probably don't want to get involved with a guy named Rath or a girl apparently caring more about her cat than men named Electra.

Assassins is a 1995 action film, directed by RichardDonner. It involves the competition between two rival assassins. The main stars were SylvesterStallone, AntonioBanderas and JulianneMoore.

The senior assassin is Robert Rath (Stallone). A rather sober and efficient man who always gets his target. Making a point of minimizing or avoiding collateral damage. But he is becoming tired of the job. Starting to think of retirement. The younger guy is Miguel Bain (Banderas). He is pretty much a psychopath who turned his hobby to a profession. He is also a competitive rising star in the field. Looking for ways to increase his reputation. Including undermining old guys such as Rath.

Having crossed paths before, they meet again when someone saints them after the same target. The woman is called Electra (Moore), a surveillance expert and information thief. Someone is very interested in the latest files she stole. Finding himself unable to kill the woman, Rath decides to retire on the spot. Only his retirement starts with teaming-up with her against the younger man.

While throughout the film Rath is treated as an old man and Bain as a young punk, the ages of the actors didn't particularly help. Stallone was 49 years old, Banderas 35-years old. Part of it was the original casting ideas, called for the Rath role going to SeanConnery, MichaelDouglas and/or ArnoldSchwarzenegger. Connery was in his 60s, Douglas in 50s, Schwarzenegger in his 40s. Ideas for casting Bain included TomCruise and ChristianSlater. Cruise was in his early 30s, Slater in his 20s.

The main scriptwriters,Larry and Andy Wachowski, ended up protesting several changes in their script, which they felt made the final product too different from what they had conceived. This did not prevent them from selling to the same producer, Joel Silver, a second script they had completed alongside Assassins. "TheMatrix" would not be ready for release until 1999.While not a critical hit, the Assassins was a modest commercial hit. It earned about $83,506,268 in the International market. With about 30 million from the United States market, it was the 59th most successful film of its year.

* MeaningfulName: ''Rath'', Electra.

* UnknownRival: Miguelito.

*SurveillanceAsThePlotDemands: Electra keeps surveillance of every room in her apartment block. Not that any users are aware of it.