FANTASIA FILM FESTIVAL
It’s not often such a weird movie manages to win me over, but lo and behold “Assassination Classroom” really did. I doubt I will be back for the sequels unless I have to, but for almost two hours I was thoroughly entertained by such a richly developed and fun action movie. It avoids almost all of he clichés of an action movie, while also diving head first in to them, and sets up a bunch of storylines within its one hundred and ten minute duration. Based on the hit manga of the same name, “Assasssination Classroom” tries to fit in a bunch of threads in its run time and succeeds for the most part. The premise is so daffy and off the wall I could only gaze in sheer disbelief as two screenwriters approached this with sincerity.
It’s seriously such an enormously weird movie but a good one. Definitely a good one. I’d go so far as to call this a gem of an action picture. Korosensei is a squid like alien with a giant yellow smiley face that has managed to blow up the moon in to a crescent shape. Displaying amazing power, including mach 20 speed and various forms, the alien has agreed not to blow up Earth unless they can find a way to kill it. The alien lands in to Class E, the lowest ranking class in their school, and decides to teach them all basic subjects as well as how to assassinate it. Branded UT by the class (Unkillable Teacher), they all must figure out how to kill the alien by the following March, or else it’ll destroy the planet. That’s not as easy as it sounds though, as the alien is cunning, intelligent, mischievous, and has a billion tricks up its sleeve. Why it’s giving Class E a chance is left a mystery, but surely enough it’s definitely fodder for a film that’s filled with surprises.
Every day the class tries to assassinate the teacher with special materials that can melt it when fired as projectiles, but UT is seemingly unstoppable and is always one step ahead of the class. Meanwhile the US Government uses every instrument at their disposal including another alien named Itona, and an AI killing machine similar to the ED-209 that the class codenames STAR. Much of the film is centered on the class’s plans to kill UT, and their exposure to its cunning and tongue in cheek humor. He definitely has a temper, and one of the main classmates Nagisa is taking notes at every turn, hopefully being able to use it against the teacher before time runs out. The movie never takes itself too seriously, embracing the unusual premise, while also delivering on some top notch action pieces, including an alien battle in the middle of class, and a very sketchy foot escape atop a tower overlooking Japan.
There are some really hilarious moments as well including UT infiltrating a girls’ slumber party, and a surreal look at what happens when UT’s tentacles are sliced off. “Assassination Classroom” won’t be for everyone, but it will win over open minded action fans in the mood for something completely different from the typical action fare we see in America. My one gripe with the narrative was how the characters tended to over explain every plan and move they made against UT, which drove me nuts. It’s no wonder he gets the upper hand when people explain rather than strike against him. That said, “Assassination Classroom” is a fun genre mash up filled with engaging characters and an open door climax. Based on the charming villain Korosensei alone, I might just return for the sequels.