SnoopyStyle It's 1974 Paris. Terrorist Carlos the Jackal (Aidan Quinn) blows up a cafe and CIA agent Jack Shaw (Donald Sutherland) barely survives. After Carlos attacks OPEC, Shaw recognizes Carlos as he makes his exit. In 1986, Israeli agent Amos (Ben Kingsley) captures Carlos in Jerusalem but it turns out to be American Naval Lt. Cmdr. Annibal Ramirez (Aidan Quinn). Shaw sees potential in using the doppelganger to trick the KGB who is supporting the real Carlos.This is part spy thriller, part action, part character study, and partly interesting. The movie starts with an extraordinary hand grenade. It blows up real good and really unrealistic. After that, the movie improves with believeability until Ramirez goes to confront Carlos. That scene makes no sense. There's no point in it. They should leave it to the KGB. The stupidity of that move leaves the movie wanting. This could be a great spy thriller but a couple of problems keep it down.

Richie-67-485852 What a good movie. I had to get this out right away. Impressed with every ones efforts who were involved in this. Bravo. I couldn't help but think of all the other "spy" type movies while this one played out especially James Bond of which this movie even mentions! Here we get to see the beginning of an ordinary citizen who is called reluctantly to participate in something and how it develops and unfolds. The acting is as real as one can get leaving no room for doubt or criticisms but instead, reels you right in creating suspense and credibility. The training, which is not limited to physical work-outs, that the main character goes through is superb and believable. The first test of that training is also thrilling to watch as it plays out. Great movie to discuss and of course the idea of it being based on a true story is the icing for some. The villain in this movie is true to villainy as the hero is and support staff is true to their beliefs as well. Who will win out? How? Why? Enjoy the answers that present themselves along with quality entertainment for the two hours it plays out. Highly recommend a tasty drink, food, snack and no cell phone or interruptions for the full enjoyment potential here. This should have been one of the greats in the mainstream Hollywood game. Now, it can be great in your own world

kenjha A naval officer is recruited to impersonate an infamous terrorist for whom he is a dead ringer. The film is well-paced and has plenty of action, but the plot is clichéd (as are the characters) and somewhat convoluted (including an ambiguous ending) - not to mention far-fetched. It is well acted by Quinn in the dual role of hero and terrorist, Sutherland as a CIA agent, and Kingsley as an Israeli terrorism expert. It is hard to take any of it seriously, particularly the central premise of two unrelated men looking and sounding exactly alike (they even have the same haircut!). It plays like a TV movie, perhaps not surprising, given director Duguay's background.

treeskier802 I'm a huge fan of the spy genre and this is one of the best of these films. The Assignment is based on a true story, which has been somewhat embellished for the big screen, and it really takes you on a fun ride. The film has a great cast, starring Aidan Quinn, Donald Sutherland and Ben Kingsley.Naval Officer Quinn is a reluctantly recruited by Sutherland after a chance meeting with Kingsley who believes Quinn to be the famous terrorist Carlos the Jackal. Because Quinn so closely resembles Carlos, Sutherland stops at nothing to recruit him because Sutherland is obsessed with the terrorist's capture or death.The training sequences are awesome. Quinn is really put to the test by Kingsley and Sutherland, having to withstand attacks from remote controlled snowmobiles, from eating the same food each day, to being drugged with a hallucinogen. He even has to learn how to make love to a woman the way Carlos would.The film has some great action scenes with Quinn eluding allies because they believe he is Carlos and in his final mission when he is to kill the jackal. Throughout the film, Quinn must struggle with the new personality he has attained versus his own. Will he remain as ruthless and free as Carlos or will he once again return to his life of a good husband and father? If you like the spy genre, this is a must see. The action is used only to propel the story of this thriller forward; no gratuitous explosions or fight scenes. Rating 10 of 10 stars.