Kevin James makes me laugh. He's always the same, I know, and he doesn't have anywhere near the range of the late John Candy, for instance, but there's something about that Blue Collar Everyman that is appealing.
Here he stars in "True Memoirs of an International Assassin" from 2016. He plays Sam, an insurance man writing the fictional story of an international hit man. He relies on a former operative friend, Amos (Ron Rifkin) to give his book more reality.
One day Amos tells him the story of an international assassin who disappeared and was thought dead, The Ghost, though he insists it's not for the book.
Before you can say The Ghost, of course, Sam has built this phantom into his story. And because his details are a little too correct, he soon finds himself in a heap of trouble.
There are some very funny performances here, especially from Kelen Coleman as Sam's agent/publisher. Her office is at Starbuck's, and she changes her name each time she orders coffee because there are so many writers there, she doesn't want them to know who she is.
Andy Garcia is great as El Toro; Zulay Henao is tough and powerful as a lone female agent in Venezuela; Andrew Howard gives a funny performance as Anton Masovich, strutting around with a loud voice and killing people. The whole cast was top-notch.
This is an action picture so expect things to blow up and see a lot of fighting. It's all in fun. It's Kevin James after all - and right about now, he was just what I needed.
True Memoirs of an International Assassin
2016
Action / Comedy / Crime
True Memoirs of an International Assassin
2016
Action / Comedy / Crime
Keywords: assassinwriter's blockaspiring writer
Plot summary
After a publisher changes a writer's debut novel about a deadly assassin from fiction to non-fiction, the author finds himself thrust into the world of his lead character, and must take on the role of his character for his own survival.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEBMovie Reviews
good if you just want to chill
Netflix comedy
Sam Larson (Kevin James) is an awkward actuarialist pushed around and ignored. He's writing a novel about fictional super assassin Mason Carver. His friend former Mossad analyst Amos tells him about mystery assassin The Ghost who was known to be killed on his final assignment. He decides to incorporate The Ghost into his book. He is signed by online publisher Kylie Applebaum who changes it into a non-fiction autobiography. It becomes a success and he gets an interview with Katie Couric. He is kidnapped by terrorist El Toro (Andy García) who wants him as The Ghost to kill the President of Venezuela, Miguel Cueto. He turns to the cops but they're corrupt and he is rescued by DEA Agent Rosa Bolivar.
This is a straight to Netflix movie. On its most basic level, this is not funny which seems to be the goal. On another basic level, nobody would believe Larson as the Ghost. This exists in an odd no-man's land where it's not action enough to be thrilling and not funny at all. The only good aspect is that it seems to be professionally made. There is a way to make this Romancing the Stone but this ain't it. It takes too long to get to Zulay Henao and she's not necessarily the best actress. She does show a little bit of fun when she starts talking about all of her dead partners. Those moments are fleeting and the buddy romance never takes off.
(Living) Fantasy
Or daydreaming of sorts. A lot of people had dreams or fantasies like that. Being a hero, being a spy, fighting for a good cause and fighting against evil. And Kevin James or rather the character he portrays here has the same thing going on for him. And it really is fun to watch this. Having seen similar themed movies recently, I have to admit this was more than enjoyable.
And the stunt work is really phenomenal - plus it does not take itself too serious. Some jokes may seem offensive to some, but overall you should not be too sensitive on things, because the mood and tone is overall the right one for this type of comedy. So action, jokes and tension from start to finish - what else do you want? Oh travel to other countries also check ...