(This review contains spoilers)

So I just watched this and I have two questions.

1) We really do have the most talented writers in this fandom don’t we? I know that’s more of a statement than a question, but I’ve read a fair bit of Macelle fic. It’s not my preferred anyelle but it seems to be quite popular. Father MacAvoy wasn’t exactly fleshed out very much as a character, so if The Tournament is all the source material there is then, just wow, I’m impressed.

2) Has anybody actually done an anyelle with The Tournament as a basis? When I was watching I was thinking replace Lai Lai Zhen with Belle (I know Belle as an assassin is a huge stretch). It’s just the interaction between MacAvoy and Lai Lai made me think that would work quite well. They sort of were protecting one another, fighting together, technically MacAvoy killed for her. Now, I know to quote Speed “relationships formed under intense circumstances rarely work out” but at the end rather than going back to his regular miserable life, MacAvoy could head off into the sunset with Belle who would get all patched up and job done.

Anyway I thought the premise was interesting. It’s like a grown-up Hunger Games. I’m quite sure people’s heads don’t actually explode like that but it was a spectacle. I think half of their budget must have gone on fake blood practically, it was kinda unnecessary. Also I really want to know, who got the 10 million dollar prize money? Technically Lai Lai was the surviving assassin but with Joshua doing that fake out, and then the manager guy dying, would they have still paid out?

Now I am actually a fan of action movies. This one is pretty mindless, and pretty stupid in places, but it wasn’t bad. The Anton character that cheated, which is how MacAvoy got drawn into the game, he did some fairly awesome acrobatics. Actually full props to the stunt team, they did know how to fake fight very well. I’m almost sorry that guy died. He was the only one clever enough, or daring enough to take out the tracker. Good for him!

So in terms of being an actual movie, then yeah not bad. I have to be honest it’s something I might have watched anyway, and not just for Robert Carlyle. As much as I love Lachlan, I can’t say the same about something like California Solo. In terms of watching just for Robert Carlyle? It was alright but like I said I really didn’t connect with MacAvoy. I am beyond impressed with all the incredible Macelle writers. To be honest I might be tempted to recommend just sticking with reading the Macelle and don’t bother with the movie. The writers really bring a depth to MacAvoy which the movie just doesn’t.