'American Assassin' hits the mark in box offices

“American Assassin” entertains without being remarkably different from other action-filled thriller films. Like other movies in the genre, it follows black ops agents on a harrowing mission to prevent global warfare. The thriller earned a $14.8 million opening weekend.

Director Michael Cuesta engages the audience immediately with a traumatic opening scene. Based on the fictional series by Vince Flynn, “American Assassin” is essentially an origins story for CIA operative Mitch Rapp, played by Dylan O’Brien. The movie opens with Rapp proposing to his girlfriend on a beach in Spain, minutes before she is fatally shot in a terrorist attack. Her death turns O’Brien’s character into a self-taught terrorist hunter.

CIA Deputy Director Irene Kennedy, played by Sanaa Lathan, funnels Rapp’s vengeful pursuit of terrorists by recruiting him for a CIA black ops team. Trained and led by Cold War veteran Stan Hurley portrayed by Michael Keaton, Rapp and team embark on a mission to stop a mysterious rogue operative intent on inciting a global war.

In comparison to O’Brien’s previous roles in “Teen Wolf” and “The Maze Runner,” “American Assassin” appeals to an older, not strictly young adult audience. With a successful role in this genre in his portfolio, O’Brien begins the transition from a teenage heartthrob into a versatile adult actor.

O’Brien convincingly portrays the hardened, unrelenting and sometimes rogue young agent. With his bulked up muscle and brawny physicality, O’Brien depicts Rapp as a martial-arts-savvy, unyielding fighter constantly on the prowl. He slinks inconspicuously through crowds, always like a coil ready to explode into action. He frequently does explode from stillness to intense fighting within seconds.

O’Brien began the physical training for the role of Rapp still in recovery from an injury occurred on the set of “Maze Runner: The Death Cure.” The injury caused O’Brien to be hospitalized and the production of the movie halted to allow time for his recovery. O’Brien’s training for his role as Rapp overlapped with the end of his recovery time. The resilient actor pushed through, beginning with training that did not hinder his healing until he was able to work more vigorously.

The grizzled Keaton acts suitably tough and even slightly deranged in a torture scene. Rather than exhibiting fear, Keaton’s character challenges his captor and even bites the man’s ear off. Torture is part of the job description for these secret federal agents.

The death of the original author led to Kyle Mills continuing the story of Mitch Rapp. There are currently 13 books published in the series. Chronologically, “American Assassin” starts as the origin story and the rest chronicle Rapp’s exploits as the “terrorist’s worst nightmare.”

Cuesta’s adaption of Vince Flynn’s books is a skillful creation. Explosions, well-choreographed fighting and seamless special effects ensure that the audience is not distracted by the technical aspects of the film. Instead, the actors secure their attention on the rapidly progressing story line.

“American Assassin” is rated R for strong violence, some torture, language and brief nudity. The movie lasts one hour, fifty-two minutes. Released on Sept. 15, show times are still available for viewing in Bryan and College Station.