Loosely fashioned on the popular video-game series and based historically on the crusading Assassins v/s Templars, it stars Michael Fassbender as Callum Lynch, who’s bound for execution on account of capital murder. He’s saved from certain death by Abstergo Industries — father Alan Rikkin (Jeremy Irons) is the CEO and daughter Dr. Sophia Rikkin (Marion Cotillard) its chief scientist —  so that he may help them  in their quest of laying their hands on an ancient artifact — The Apple of Eden, which, supposedly, is the cure to all violence. Lynch is bound to the Animus project — a device which allows Dr. Rikkin to unlock the memories of Lynch’s ancestor Agullar de Nerha (Fassbender again), an Assassin during the 15th century Spanish Inquisition, who had last seen this artifact.

With a stellar cast including Oscar winner Cotillard and Irons, not to forget two-time Oscar nominee Fassbender, the film manages to make the grade as a watchable sci-fi action flick. The costumes by Sammy Sheldon and set-design by Tina Jones add glamour to an otherwise predictable and convoluted plot, with an ending designed to facilitate a possible sequel.

The numerous action scenes are designed to  camouflage a barely credible plot—but then sci-fi films are aimed at suspending the viewer’s belief, or disbelief, whichever way you look at it.  The score by Jed Kurzel (director’s younger brother) is lively enough to enhance the visuals. However, the film will ultimately be eminently watchable particularly for the fan of the video game.