Don't Believe the Hype

Captivating movie !

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

A CIA agent gets caught up in political intrigue after he gets brought in to solve the murder of a Cuban ambassador. Dolph Lundgren (Rocky IV, The Expendables) and Josh Ashton (Beverly Hills Cop, Bevery Hills Cop II) star in this disappointing and forgettable 90's film that even the best actors and directors in the world could not possibly have saved. Sure the leads are pretty good but the story as a whole is half cooked and the movie drags alot in certain moments. Definitely not one of Dolph Lundgren's best 90's films or best films in general... (5.0/10)

When the Cuban ambassador to the U.N. is assassinated by a sniper, U.S. Marshal Michael Dane (Dolph) travels to Prague to apprehend the suspect. As it turns out, the suspect is Simone Rosset (Detmers), and the relationship between Dane and Rosset becomes complicated. Naturally, there is a conspiracy that goes all the way to the top - and Dane must fight hard to get to the truth. Being a stranger in a strange land, will he succeed? Hidden Assassin - not to be confused with Silent Trigger (1996), or Hidden Agenda (2001) for that matter (although Silent Trigger has a similar plot that involves male and female snipers who are conflicted about their actions) - was made during the period in Dolph's career where he was trying to be more serious, and was appearing in films with a darker and more somber tone. Whether intentionally or not on his part when he was choosing his roles, these 90's Dolphs are different from his 80's heyday.What follows is more intrigue than out-and-out action, and that's not necessarily a bad thing, it's just a different animal from, say, The Punisher (1989). Here Dolph is put into some interesting scenarios - from a smooth, wine-tasting gentleman, to an action hero not afraid to get hurt and be covered in blood (interestingly, his white T-shirt with the bloodstain will remind you of Andrew W.K.). He even wears an interesting Franz Kafka shirt at one point. The Prague locations are a highlight of the movie. The cinematography is top-notch, and thanks to the interesting setting and good production values, as well as the big-sounding score, Hidden Assassin seems to be going for a classier vibe.Detmers recalls a more-sane Sean Young in her prime, and as far as casting goes, in lesser (?) hands, Dolph's role could have been played - should the dire need arise - by Frank Zagarino (similar hair). His sidekick could have been played by Dennis Franz. What's going on with Dennis Franz? We haven't heard too much from him lately.Hidden Assassin is probably one of the better 90's Dolphs, thanks to the quality of the technical aspects of the film, but had this movie been made in the 80's, it would have been a more full-throttle action film, and that would have been nice to see.For more insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com

As a Dolph Lundgren fan this film goes down as one of my prefered viewings. I do like a good thriller, with some plot twists and tension. This film has those but to a mild degree, your not going to get really excited at this compared to something like Mission Impoosble with its high production and A-list cast but for a B-movie this is a good film that is surprising in places and reasonably well written.Dolph plays Michael Dane, who is working with the FBI to try to capture a known assasin played by the sexy Maruschka Detmers. Dane does not beleive she killed the Cuban Ambassador, but he still has to bring her into custody in the build up to a summit between the US and Cuba to try to get the two country's to shake and make up if you like. The plot at times raises questions that many action thrillers do, for instance why are they doing that? one particular example is the inclusion of Dolphs character, he is flown in from New York to Prague simply to arrest this Woman, why on Earth she wasn't brought in before is beyond me, especially considering that her whereabouts were known. A lot doesn't make sense but those minor quibbles aside, the film is nicely paced and is enjoyable.The acting is good, Dolph is assured and puts in one of his better performances, he has great chemistry with the excellent Maruschka who in turn also shows great chemistry with Assumpta Serna who plays Marta the possible lover of Simone. That is another mystery of the film, the sexual preference of Simone (Detmers) this does kind of undermine the development of a relationship between Dolph and Maruschkas characters. Also good is John Ashton as a bit of comic support as Danes Foster father and aid in the hunt for Simone.Furthermore, the action scenes. They are not overly stylish but are exciting, Dolph is in prime condition to dish out a battering and there is some good gun play included as well. Particular standout scenes are the capturing of Simone, and her subsequant escape. Also later in the film when Dolph rescues Simones character and just after when they both escape. The end is good to with the music helping to really build everything to a climactic crescendo.Overall this is a fairly decent thriller, with some nice lighting in the dark shots, and some nice and suitably dank locations. Dolph and Maruschka have a great chemistry, and the twists in the film are good. I would give this a 7/10

Although this film is not interesting for its acting or its story line, you must see it (even with the sound off) if only for the absolutely gorgeous set design, lighting design, and cinematography, which combine to make this film an eye-popping piece of eye candy. It helps that the filmmakers had the beautiful old city of Prague to film in, with its rich architectural history, romantic interiors, cobblestone streets, etc. I wanted to print out almost every scene in the film and then frame them for my walls, so gorgeous were almost all the frames of film. Try it for this! You'll love it!