X
- 2016
- TV-14
- Netflix
- 1 h 38 m
- 2016
- TV-14
- Netflix
- 1 h 38 m
Summary Sam Larson (Kevin James) is a mild-mannered would-be author who gets mistaken for a killer-for-hire when his fictional novel about an international assassin is published as a true story. When the book is a huge success, he is suddenly kidnapped, taken out of the country, and forced into an assassination plot. [Netflix]
Directed By: Jeff Wadlow
Written By: Jeff Morris, Jeff Wadlow
- 2016
- TV-14
- Netflix
- 1 h 38 m
- 2016
- TV-14
- Netflix
- 1 h 38 m
True Memoirs of an International Assassin
37
5.2
Summary Sam Larson (Kevin James) is a mild-mannered would-be author who gets mistaken for a killer-for-hire when his fictional novel about an international assassin is published as a true story. When the book is a huge success, he is suddenly kidnapped, taken out of the country, and forced into an assassination plot. [Netflix]
Directed By: Jeff Wadlow
Written By: Jeff Morris, Jeff Wadlow
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 6 Critic Reviews
37
0% Positive
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
67% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
33% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 6 Critic Reviews
37
0% Positive
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
67% Mixed
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
33% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
Cleverer than the average Kevin James comedy, though its better gags are unlikely to inspire more than a snicker.
True Memoirs Of An International Assassin scores a few lucky shots, but ultimately overstays its welcome.
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 28 User Ratings
5.2
29% Positive
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
43% Mixed
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
29% Negative
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 28 User Ratings
5.2
29% Positive
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
43% Mixed
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
29% Negative
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
What works in Kevin James' latest "average joe turned miraculous hero" style movie is that it really does portray it's lead as a regular guy. By that I mean it doesn't go overboard making him into some unbelievably, over-the-top stupid goof. Here James plays a character that feel an everyday, believable person who just so happens to get caught up in stuff way out of his league.
That's not to say the movie isn't absurd. Yes, the events that lead to Kevin James getting mixed up in all this obviously defy reality. Not too mention seeing him survive through the increasingly dangerous scenarios is also something that just would not happen. Yet, you can still get behind everything that's happening onscreen. It's all due to how the movie carries itself.
Jeff Wadlow handles the plot and it's lead with a pretty straight face. It allows the jokes to flow more naturally from the material and ensures that nothing reaches the level of absurdly goofy (and sometimes stupid) humor you'll find in James' Happy Madison films (Paul Blart, Here Comes the Boom). As a result it's kind of a more self-respecting comedy. One that doesn't rely on fart jokes and "fat guy falls down a bunch" style humor. Wadlow actually wants you to like this guy as more than just comedic fodder and get behind him as becoming the hero. For the most part, it works. Not all of the jokes land, and the premise is ridiculous. However it's executed admirably and it's nice to see Kevin James in a comedy that actually has him playing a real character people can relate to. Mix in some solid action and you get a comedy that defies expectations and doesn't carry that Adam Sandler/Happy Madison feel that turns so many off. As a result, this one has the potential to attract a larger audience.
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I thought it was really great! It is truly funny, expect to laugh a lot. Some things don't seem realistic, but it doesn't affect the story. The acting is great, and worth a watch.
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Ultimately, True Memoirs of an International Assassin isn’t entertaining enough to recommend, but it’s certainly not the torturous experience of recent James vehicles like “Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2” or “Pixels,” and parts of it actually work.
True Memoirs is harmless, disposable junk food that has just enough laughs to make you feel like you didn’t get scammed.
Using an overabundance of plot to pave over a remarkable paucity of jokes, “Memoirs” quickly tailspins into a lifeless supercut of cheap action, terrible gags, and a series of scenes in which increasingly dangerous stereotypes are fooled into believing that Sam is an actual assassin.
It’s damnable with faint praise. It’s too cheap to be thrilling, and too earnest to be all that offensive. Mired in clichés. Mostly flat. A weak Spy. Only Kevin James diehards need apply.
Happy Madison films are better when they don't rely on potty humor or raunchiness. Which is something I guess Sandler prefers for the ones starring him. So Memoirs mostly has charm without crude and childish humor.
I credit the movie for not trying to get laughs by having Kevin James clumsy and falling all over the place. However, I did wait for moments like that. I expected a spy version of Paul Blart in another words. Without James being a fat clumsy guy for laughs, there wasn't too many laughs. I don't know though. I enjoyed the movie despite it not being laugh out loud funny nevertheless. The cast was likeable.
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I don't know why I heard so many bad things about this movie as it actually was quite ok - nothing impressive, but it wasn't like I wanted to switch it off or anything. Only thing is that it was quite predictable and the story felt like I have seen it somewhere already.
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While it hs+as an original plot, True Memoirs of an International Assassin needs a wittier storytelling, a more believable script and nicer characters.
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