American Assassin

"Considering how generic this slice of vaguely xenophobic counter-terror wish-fulfillment is, it comes as a surprise how bloody American Assassin turns out to be. From the get-go, the film’s violence is frequently shocking (well, R16-level shocking, not the fully traumatising kind). Quickly squandering any emotional investment in its lead, American Assassin dares you to care as its rote plot follows a good-looking US government-endorsed psycho (Dylan O’Brien) as he’s taken under the wing of a grizzled, experienced, US government-endorsed psycho (Michael Keaton) to take down a different good-looking non-US-government-endorsed psycho (Taylor Kitsch) who’s working with a bunch of not-quite-so-awesome psychos (various)."

""American Assassin" is so close-mouthed and macho that it blends in with Bourne, Bond and "Taken's" Brian Mills. Rapp can blast his way through Turkey - but this sullen, swollen hero can't elbow those box office heavyweights to make room."

"Cuesta injects vitality where it's needed."

"Mitch seems not just hot-headed but borderline racist, and neither trait is addressed in a satisfying way."

"Decent fun, in the leathery, businesslike, self-satisfied manner of this kind of movie, which soothes the hurt places in the male ego with sentiment strategically disguised as toughness."

"The attempt to rebrand counterterrorism manoeuvres as a heady extension of The Hunger Games falls somewhere between dimwitted and deeply cynical."

"It is an efficient, occasionally spectacular and mostly not-too-insulting Friday night popcorn flogger..."

"It demonstrates that even Jason Bourne lite is better than no Bourne at all, if you're in the mood."

"Built for action, like its title character, the movie packs a muscular, bloody punch, but mainly it's a well-oiled diversion."

"There are 15 more Mitch Rapp books, but a sequel feels unlikely."