Michael_Elliott 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.

simplythebest-64104 Overall this is a must see movie and terribly underrated. I don't have attention deficit disorder and was able to find awesome entertainment in this piece of work. When I saw her (Michelle) beautiful face, I had to know her taste in scripts and how she held up to being queen of her own scene. Truthfully, I found it well ahead of it's time with plot, make-up, set design. First, there is Michelle who is so beautiful, no make-up would make anyone believe she's male-which made the movie soo juicy and riveting as a strong actress who faced this gender thing as oppose to the many many many men who do the same. Hence, "Eddie Redmayne Plays Transgender Woman and Pioneer in New Film— See the 1st Photo of the Oscar Winner in Character!" (Heller, 2015) I hope more of these roles are invented as more people will be interested with other than identity crisis Secondly,the plot led and held us thrill seekers by portraying a gun slinging hit person, who obviously didn't have an identity crisis or crying spells throughout the movie.Third, Both leading ladies weren't there to fight f__king aliens or race cars. Mrs. Weaver can keep anyone entertained with her the marvelous acting skills and someone's superb writing abilities. Rodriquez held my attention with her agenda and how she would conform into her new identity while avenging her enemy. At the same time both women face life struggles with sexual and social awareness's/awkwardness.Finally, Less is more. Rodriguez did not need to pull off being a man or a woman with make-up or mannerisms though well done, that was the beauty in the entire movie attuned with her talents and skills. Mrs. Weaver's arrogance and brilliance along with Rodriguez's compassion for her girlfriend. Yes, I have some constructive criticism-Elements that lead to a revenge type plot where this is typical in any movie, but adding more symmetry of the hit-man's background that was spoken in Weaver's therapy sessions could have given more foundation to Rodriguez's character-therefore giving the audience more scope, relations, and sentiment towards Rodriquez.

ladyacct69 Not your standard action movie. I liked the differences, as well as, the same threads that run through every action movie such as dead bodies and guns. I felt that with two female leads there would be more action for the mind and while there was it still had the physical action but it was done in a more straightforward manner.

TomSawyer 2112 I didn't know anything about this movie, the title attracted me, but neither does Michelle Rodrigues, nor Sigourney Weaver. Something female about the killer disturbed me in the beginning, and that should not have been.The Director draws some final scenes into a comic picture, which is a clear wink, it's up to the viewer to accept it, or not. I like a movie from another universe. And the Killer's name is Frank.I'm a huge fan of Rodriguez, Robert, directing Frank Miller's Sin City, and this movie really gets into this slow monologue talks about revenge, everybody has his own cause and his own way for revenge. The psychological philosophical screen writing is quite up to the reference. I finally admit that I was not outraged against the director to refer to the atmosphere of Sin City, in fact the more the movie went on, the more I enjoyed it, and the final scene is worthy.Which made me curious to read at the end, the director Walter Hill. What, another copy ? No, THE Walter Hill, who made great, though brainless action movies in the 80ies. Except Warriors!Don't get me wrong. This does not have the depth of Sin City, and anyway, Jessica Alba is getting old, and Brittany Murphy has left us, and Carla Gugino, Alexis Bledel, Devon Aoki, Rosario Dawson can't be hired all together again.Fact is, the choice of female actors could have been better. Rosario Dawson would certainly have done a better job than Michelle Rodrigues,though Sigourney did quite well, although the movie falls flat on the erotic aspect.I forget about 9 movies out of ten, but this one, nevertheless, I will remember very well, later on, and I'm sure I will watch it again.