Entertaining, lots of twists and turns, never quite sure what's next or where it's going, but the ride's good, especially the 4 leads. Almost didn't rent due to some bad reviews here, I guess sometimes good to trust the positive ones
847 Reviews
People praise John Wick and the sequels, but hate on this? Why exactly?
uolevivittu23 April 2021
Because it's the same kind of thing... no plausibility, no human interest, plenty of nasty violence, 1 antihero wins all fights against impossible odds. Violence is what people see these for, right? I think Wick movies are vastly overrated, and this wasn't bad. It's nowhere as good as something like Leon The Professional, because that movie had heart, not just violence. Here, just violence (and some sex), some plot twists, who double-crosses who. But the action is well made, and bodycount is high.
Solid Shoot Out
Tweetienator16 September 2019
Well, I don't get all those harsh critics about the lack of realism, for example regarding the fight scenes, I mean, common, of course a killing machine like Anna is an impossibilty, but does anyone complain about the killing capacities of guys like James Bond, John McClane or John Wick!? Those movies any more realistic!?
Anna is simple a nice entertaining action flick with some good fights, a beautiful and well performing actress, but for certain one of the more conventional and simpler movies made by Mr. Besson. All in all a good movie with some twists and fun moments but no masterpiece.
Switching channels it grabbed me and wouldn't let go, very enjoyable.
FilmFan77719 April 2021
Like any story, sit back and let it take you for a ride. Too many focus on how the carpet is flying instead of just fly along and it ruins their ride.
Story took several smart twists and turns I didn't expect and it kept me focused intently. Helen did a great job as usual and the lead was captivating and quietly realistic. Luc did a good job on the story directing and casting. Far better and more sophisticated than Salt and others, I was pleasantly surprised, thanks for the enjoyable ride.
Story took several smart twists and turns I didn't expect and it kept me focused intently. Helen did a great job as usual and the lead was captivating and quietly realistic. Luc did a good job on the story directing and casting. Far better and more sophisticated than Salt and others, I was pleasantly surprised, thanks for the enjoyable ride.
Nikita again
SnoopyStyle17 September 2019
In 1985 Moscow, CIA agent Lenny Miller (Cillian Murphy) loses nine operatives to KGB chief Vassiliev. Years later, Anna (Sasha Luss) is struggling in life and signs up for the Russian Navy. KGB agent Alex Tchenkov (Luke Evans) recruits her to be an assassin under the supervision of Olga (Helen Mirren).
It's another hot assassin movie from Luc Besson. La femme Nikita is almost 30 years ago. He's like an old painter who keeps returning to the same style over and over again. He's trying something a little grittier and a little more real. It's not his lane. His lane is hot girl doing wild actions with simplistic story. He tries to add layers to the story. At last, he's no Graham Greene which brings to mind the acting skills of model-turned-actor Sasha Luss. She tries and the character is essentially her without the killings. She's surprisingly functional but she's no Meryl Streep. Finally, I would try to clean up the constant time-jumps in the plot. They are supposed to be shocking reveals but they mostly confuse and are unnecessary. If he does a straight forward timeline, the movie may actually gain some tension of wondering if anybody can be trusted. He's probably not capable of doing the truly gritty espionage movie. Somebody should do a film retrospective of his hot female assassin movies.
It's another hot assassin movie from Luc Besson. La femme Nikita is almost 30 years ago. He's like an old painter who keeps returning to the same style over and over again. He's trying something a little grittier and a little more real. It's not his lane. His lane is hot girl doing wild actions with simplistic story. He tries to add layers to the story. At last, he's no Graham Greene which brings to mind the acting skills of model-turned-actor Sasha Luss. She tries and the character is essentially her without the killings. She's surprisingly functional but she's no Meryl Streep. Finally, I would try to clean up the constant time-jumps in the plot. They are supposed to be shocking reveals but they mostly confuse and are unnecessary. If he does a straight forward timeline, the movie may actually gain some tension of wondering if anybody can be trusted. He's probably not capable of doing the truly gritty espionage movie. Somebody should do a film retrospective of his hot female assassin movies.
I liked the movie.
maryiabarakova24 September 2019
I liked the movie. Interesting moments intertwined in an even more interesting way. The movie is not realistic, but I didn't expect anything else. I liked the dynamics, the acting, the tangled story and the action.
As well as the finale, which is definitely satisfying.
I didn't like the length of the movie. As well as the fact that the action was a little faster. And not focused on one particular part. But at least everything was put together in a great way.
Stylish and Wild Action Film with a Rather Weak but Fun Plot
danew1316 October 2019
Not as well written as his Nikita, but Besson keeps the body count flowing in Anna with far greater numbers. Much of the film keeps you guessing and then answers with several flashback scenes.
Some of the wild action is on the outrageous level of a Bruce Willis Die Hard film. but just as enjoyable. The lead Sasha Luss does a decent job as Anna the assassin.
Some of the wild action is on the outrageous level of a Bruce Willis Die Hard film. but just as enjoyable. The lead Sasha Luss does a decent job as Anna the assassin.
Entertaining
kerem-sogukpinar14 September 2019
This was a good watch. It has its color and tone, casting and acting is consistent with these. Witty and entertaining, had fun watching it. To give this one a 1 to 3 is taking it and oneself too seriously ... to the point of a bit pathetic.
Great Action, Wrong technology
AliensReservoir26 September 2019
I want to say that it was made in a parallel universe as the writers and makers never searched nor cared for the accurate technology of the 80s-90s...
In 1985 even in Europe we did not have cellphone, and here in Russia they have cellphone... In Russia, before that the wall of Berlin felt! in 1985 they have cellphone model from 1999-2000 Also there is a mix in tech for example a Nokia from 2005 in 1990 a laptop from 2005 in 1990 with Linux on it (with i3 alike), to let you know, Linux was created in 1991 and was NOT graphical yet as in the movie! a PDA which look like a tablet, and so on and on... (she fill up an online form in... 1987 to be incorporated, in Russia! seriously? not even in Europe it was possible! And the first USB flash drive appeared in late 2000, how come they have a USB dongle in 1990?)
Other than that it was a good spy movie with lot of actions, impossible fights and actions but at this point we don't care anymore.
8/10 stars for the action movie and negative -5/10 (5 below zero) stars for unbelievable lack of knowledge and not caring about the 80s and 90s tech, we are not stupid!
In 1985 even in Europe we did not have cellphone, and here in Russia they have cellphone... In Russia, before that the wall of Berlin felt! in 1985 they have cellphone model from 1999-2000 Also there is a mix in tech for example a Nokia from 2005 in 1990 a laptop from 2005 in 1990 with Linux on it (with i3 alike), to let you know, Linux was created in 1991 and was NOT graphical yet as in the movie! a PDA which look like a tablet, and so on and on... (she fill up an online form in... 1987 to be incorporated, in Russia! seriously? not even in Europe it was possible! And the first USB flash drive appeared in late 2000, how come they have a USB dongle in 1990?)
Other than that it was a good spy movie with lot of actions, impossible fights and actions but at this point we don't care anymore.
8/10 stars for the action movie and negative -5/10 (5 below zero) stars for unbelievable lack of knowledge and not caring about the 80s and 90s tech, we are not stupid!
candies for the eyes
clare_fontaine1 January 2020
Being aware of the story yet still picked up little surprises here and there. Can't we just enjoy the scenes and stop thinking how complex it should be?
For me it's a pleasant amount of twists, actions, and beautiful candies for the eyes. I think the cast and the director did a wonderful job.
Much better than Atomic Blonde n Red Sparrow. Yet to c The Villainess.
Fella_shibby23 September 2019
Of course the main attraction is Sasha Luss, but this film has lots of twists n turns n some decent action.
Cillian Murphy n Luke Evans r lucky fellas.
Comparison to La Femme Nikita is inevitable.
If u like Tinkle Tailor Soldier Spy, The Double n Bridge of Spies, then u will like this too.
Another good aspect bah this film is that this time they haven't shown the gloomy, sad n isolated parts of Russia but more of the urbann colorful parts.
USSR technology in 1987
edgy-827-48696523 June 2019
They even don't make basic research before create THIS schlock. How about notebooks in USSR? I am pretty sure even Gorby don't have one, but simple thug - yes, why not? Even with internet and wi-fi. And then we have at 1988 in Moscow bunch of cell phones! When actually first cell net was launch in 1991, and like in 1990 maybe was some personal cell towers. And this is just beginning. We have import cars like in 1993 or something. I mean you think - its not a big deal. But for USSR it WAS big deal. And even in Paris I don't think that in 1988 in even rich hotel they store video data on hard drives looks like my 10 mb hard drive from IBM 286. And its not that Anna can't feel some paper forms... why she even need notebook? Or why they so need to take not less then cell phone from a gangster in Glavpivtorg, when just paper telephone book was okay? Luc Besson have marasmus or something? He don't remember how 1988 year look? And they have bunch of russian actors two, who probably laugh out of their asses, but don't say a word to the creators of film. It could be not bad Black Widow eurojank mockbuster, but with all of this pure fantasy stuff its not.
Enjoyable But Anachronistic
saintseminole28 November 2019
When Nikita meets Kill Bill
lacompagniadelbordello11 March 2021
Spectacular and groundbreaking assassin flick with lots of action , crossfire , fights , violence and plot twists
ma-cortes14 May 2023
Solid French thriller finely directed by Luc Besson about an unfortunate lower-class girl who becomes an undercover assassin. Violent and nail-biting film stars Anna (Sasha Luss) who's living with her abusive boyfriend Piotr (Alexander Petrov). Then she's recruited by KGB agent Alex Tchenkov (Luke Evans) and Anna finds that has been spared her life in order to be trained as a government assassin . So she can be elaborately trained as phantom killer and subdued into KGB handler Olga (Helen Mirren)'s obedience. After a dramatic transformation, she is allowed to leave and start a new life for herself but underground working for KGB and as a cover, she gets a new identity . Long time after , another recruiter walks through a market and meets Anna Poliatova, a beautiful vendor of China dolls. He invites her to become a model, and although hesitant at first, Anna joins him. Anna is brought to Paris, France to take modeling gigs, where she meets another fashion model, named Maud (Lera Abova) whom clearly shows a romantic interest in her. The two fall in love, but that complicates jobs . On her eventual release she turns into a sophisticated girl thanks to her success at the fashion catwalks. However, she begins to discover that there is more to life than she previously thought and soon begins to wish she could escape from her obligation. But the Russian government aren't so easy to evade .Never Make the Weapon the Target !. Revenge has a new name !.
This hair-rising and exciting thriller is packed with tension , chills, romance , suspense , crosess , double-crosses , twists , turns and loads of noisy action . From the start to the ending the action pace and intrigue are fast moving, providing fast and furious entertainment with overwhelming scenes. It packs nonstop action and is extremely entertaining and really thrilling . Some scenes are brutal and with a load of violence . Still it's a good movie, I think furthermore the incredible chemistry between Sasha Luss and Luke Evans , as well as Sasha and Cillian Murphy , the plot was moving and intense , it makes you want to know what happens after . Sasha Luus gives a nice acting as Anna Poliatova whose striking beauty lies a secret that will unleash her indelible strength and skill to become one of the world's most feared government assassins. She is pretty good as the heroine who turns in violent tendencies to patriotic use , both as the anti-social rebel of the early scenes and the sophisticated, seductive young lady of the later ones . It benefits enormously from a memorably assured performances from veteran Helen Mirren , Luke Evans and Cillian Murphy.
It displays a rousing and moving musical score by Eric Serra , as well as colorful and brilliant cinematography -shot in various countries- by Tierry Arbogast , perfectly remastered . The motion picture was lavishly produced and well directed by Luc Besson with his ordinary visual pyrotechnics , though with no much originaly , because partially copies the previous film ¨Nikita¨. Besson often features fully enclosed sets with no natural lighting and typically, during the opening-titles, the camera moves towards something important for the movie, but looks down until the important part of credits was shown, then swings up, now looking at a place or character. Luc often casts Jean Reno and music always by Eric Serra. Besson is the greatest producer and director from France with hits as ¨Leon¨ , ¨Joan of Arc¨ , ¨The fifth element¨ , the ¨Taxi¨ series , ¨Big blue¨ , ¨Lucy¨, ¨Malavita¨, "The lady¨, ¨Les aventures extraordinaires d'Adèle Blanc-Sec¨, "Arthur and the Minimois¨, ¨Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets ¨and , of course , ¨Nikita¨ , ¨Anna¨and many others . Rating 6/10 . Well worth watching . The pic will appeal to action movies fans.
This hair-rising and exciting thriller is packed with tension , chills, romance , suspense , crosess , double-crosses , twists , turns and loads of noisy action . From the start to the ending the action pace and intrigue are fast moving, providing fast and furious entertainment with overwhelming scenes. It packs nonstop action and is extremely entertaining and really thrilling . Some scenes are brutal and with a load of violence . Still it's a good movie, I think furthermore the incredible chemistry between Sasha Luss and Luke Evans , as well as Sasha and Cillian Murphy , the plot was moving and intense , it makes you want to know what happens after . Sasha Luus gives a nice acting as Anna Poliatova whose striking beauty lies a secret that will unleash her indelible strength and skill to become one of the world's most feared government assassins. She is pretty good as the heroine who turns in violent tendencies to patriotic use , both as the anti-social rebel of the early scenes and the sophisticated, seductive young lady of the later ones . It benefits enormously from a memorably assured performances from veteran Helen Mirren , Luke Evans and Cillian Murphy.
It displays a rousing and moving musical score by Eric Serra , as well as colorful and brilliant cinematography -shot in various countries- by Tierry Arbogast , perfectly remastered . The motion picture was lavishly produced and well directed by Luc Besson with his ordinary visual pyrotechnics , though with no much originaly , because partially copies the previous film ¨Nikita¨. Besson often features fully enclosed sets with no natural lighting and typically, during the opening-titles, the camera moves towards something important for the movie, but looks down until the important part of credits was shown, then swings up, now looking at a place or character. Luc often casts Jean Reno and music always by Eric Serra. Besson is the greatest producer and director from France with hits as ¨Leon¨ , ¨Joan of Arc¨ , ¨The fifth element¨ , the ¨Taxi¨ series , ¨Big blue¨ , ¨Lucy¨, ¨Malavita¨, "The lady¨, ¨Les aventures extraordinaires d'Adèle Blanc-Sec¨, "Arthur and the Minimois¨, ¨Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets ¨and , of course , ¨Nikita¨ , ¨Anna¨and many others . Rating 6/10 . Well worth watching . The pic will appeal to action movies fans.
A feel-good CIA/KGB Girl Power Action Flick
skepticskeptical1 March 2024
Knowing that the director of Anna was Luc Besson, I decided to watch the film despite my wariness of the action genre, which in recent years has dramatically increased the volume of bloodshed in direct proportion to a diminution of ideas. The film is obviously a riff on NIKITA, so lots of suspense and thrilling and chilling action scenes.
Anna is new in that it offers a feel-good CIA/KGB slant and a big shout out for girl power. So if you have a hankering for a feel-good CIA/KGB Girl Power Action flick bursting with homicides, Anna will fill the bill!
Helen Mirren was excellent, as always, and despite the various implausibilities throughout, the film came through with a surprise ending, which I'll not spoil here!
Anna is new in that it offers a feel-good CIA/KGB slant and a big shout out for girl power. So if you have a hankering for a feel-good CIA/KGB Girl Power Action flick bursting with homicides, Anna will fill the bill!
Helen Mirren was excellent, as always, and despite the various implausibilities throughout, the film came through with a surprise ending, which I'll not spoil here!
Sexy and Feel nostalgic for La Femme Nikita Fans, but generic for younger generation
Herlinda_Marlina14 September 2019
I decide to give it a shot with zero expectation beside its directed by Luc Besson who give me La Femme Nikita and Leon the professional which i love and yeah its kinda mediocre in story but i love modern touch in action scene, remind me of Lucy that directed by him too, i think nothing much novelty in here, and i feel i watch many movie like this in recent time, feel like our heroin "Anna" are playgirl that juggling with 2 handsome agent KGB Luke Evans and Cillian Murphy with dangerous espionage and assassin as spice to add interesting thing at "Anna", Helen Mirren "Olga" as usual always give us outstanding performance and give what this movie needed to not fall below mediocre action movie, , in the future, i hope Luc Besson found again what make him respected in 90's movie as director, the authenthic and touch of novelty that give audience shock factor. He's kinda stuck in same genre lately and it will fly away our curiosity for his work.
Good movie
joan-373043 January 2020
Nikita - the Russian version
corbett-hoxland28 June 2019
Not a reboot, but a redo. The script is too similar as are the characters and the story. You have seen it before with little to no surprises.
Why the story was set in the past is an interesting choice.
The one , yes one, highlight is the right scene seen in the trailer. That's it.
The acting and character growth is disappointing. Surprising considering some of the actors involved. Things happen too quickly and for no reason at all.
Biggest gripe about the movie is the confusing timeline. The story keeps jumping forward and backward in time so that you are totally lost when the story is happening.
All in all, go watch Nikita again , this is a poor clone of a classic
The one , yes one, highlight is the right scene seen in the trailer. That's it.
The acting and character growth is disappointing. Surprising considering some of the actors involved. Things happen too quickly and for no reason at all.
Biggest gripe about the movie is the confusing timeline. The story keeps jumping forward and backward in time so that you are totally lost when the story is happening.
All in all, go watch Nikita again , this is a poor clone of a classic
Nikita revisited after 29 years by its prodigy author/director
cemil-turun21 June 2019
I have watched Anna on the first day of screening in a cool Istanbul cinema. I am a big fan of Luc Besson, knowing full well his great as well as some disastrous works. However, Nikita, Leon also Subway, Big Blue, Fifth Element are among my all time favorite films. Also "Taken" character is a creation of Besson! He is very original, a real European prodigy.
Anna is a kind of 2019 remake of La Femme Nikita-(1990) with a new and original face (Sasha Luss) who does a decent job of fooling the viewer into different roads during the film. She has a female poker face and smile. I think Besson noticed her ability to deceive viewers earlier in her motion capture role during Valerian (2017) shooting and decided to remake Nikita with her. (Did he also fall in love with her as happened before with Anne Parillaud and Milla Jovovich? I am curious.)
Some younger viewers may have a problem with the action scenes: A female lead doing fast action scenes is not so original they would say: Atomic Blonde and Kill Bill for example, had them. However, my younger viewer friends should know that these films owe big time to Nikita and Leon. Maybe for that reason, in Anna, Besson makes fun of both Atomic Blonde and Kill Bill! Her black leather fight costume is a salute to Atomic Blonde and tens of black suited body guards that she kills in a restaurant is a smile to Tarantino. The earliest female hitman, sorry, hitperson was Nikita! She was a very big shock to viewers in 1990 (I had watched it also on the first day). So was Leon. Americans almost couldn't watch that great film due to censorship.
Anna the character is: 60% Nikita, 20% Leeloo of Fifth Element and 20% Leon's girl. Character Alex is = 100% Bob (of Nikita).
I recommend everyone to go and see Luc Besson's latest ideas and without giving away spoilers it is impossible to write more about this film. I liked it and enjoyed it. 9/10.
Anna is a kind of 2019 remake of La Femme Nikita-(1990) with a new and original face (Sasha Luss) who does a decent job of fooling the viewer into different roads during the film. She has a female poker face and smile. I think Besson noticed her ability to deceive viewers earlier in her motion capture role during Valerian (2017) shooting and decided to remake Nikita with her. (Did he also fall in love with her as happened before with Anne Parillaud and Milla Jovovich? I am curious.)
Some younger viewers may have a problem with the action scenes: A female lead doing fast action scenes is not so original they would say: Atomic Blonde and Kill Bill for example, had them. However, my younger viewer friends should know that these films owe big time to Nikita and Leon. Maybe for that reason, in Anna, Besson makes fun of both Atomic Blonde and Kill Bill! Her black leather fight costume is a salute to Atomic Blonde and tens of black suited body guards that she kills in a restaurant is a smile to Tarantino. The earliest female hitman, sorry, hitperson was Nikita! She was a very big shock to viewers in 1990 (I had watched it also on the first day). So was Leon. Americans almost couldn't watch that great film due to censorship.
Anna the character is: 60% Nikita, 20% Leeloo of Fifth Element and 20% Leon's girl. Character Alex is = 100% Bob (of Nikita).
I recommend everyone to go and see Luc Besson's latest ideas and without giving away spoilers it is impossible to write more about this film. I liked it and enjoyed it. 9/10.
Enjoyable movie
weition11 April 2021
ussr laptops😅
the_dudde22 September 2019
The movie is borderline rediculous..
just watch the junkie in 1985 ussr write in her laptop.( In 1985, the Soviet Union purchased over 10,000 MSX computers from Nippon Gakki.) and sending her application via internet or the world wide web😂😂and since you cannot see any lines..we assume that she is wireless connected..
Characters lacked layers
yesiampatty11 July 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I am pretty easy to please in terms of movies but this I cannot help but cringe. I was a bit hesitant to view this after Lucy. (which hasn't been creative on Luc's part, two movies with both first name of women just tells you he may potentially think women are just flat simple characters)
Apart from the "action hero sequence flare" the plot was pretty predictable and the character don't have much layers nor depth. And the over usage of time jumps is a condescending way of telling the audience "bet you didn't catch this..." Helen Mirren's character is the only character I felt some form of gravitational force towards. The men in this just felt like simple minded jocks that wants to get into Anna's pants. The insert of Anna's lesbian girlfriend is something I do not understand, if you are going to introduce a character at least allow us to feel the nessesity of doing so and not merely to sexualized the character. I could go on and on about the little details of inaccurateness of the era and props in the movies - tons of 90s looking cell phones and lap tops but this movie is set in 1985-1988 which was clearly indicated 1 min into the movie.
Apart from the "action hero sequence flare" the plot was pretty predictable and the character don't have much layers nor depth. And the over usage of time jumps is a condescending way of telling the audience "bet you didn't catch this..." Helen Mirren's character is the only character I felt some form of gravitational force towards. The men in this just felt like simple minded jocks that wants to get into Anna's pants. The insert of Anna's lesbian girlfriend is something I do not understand, if you are going to introduce a character at least allow us to feel the nessesity of doing so and not merely to sexualized the character. I could go on and on about the little details of inaccurateness of the era and props in the movies - tons of 90s looking cell phones and lap tops but this movie is set in 1985-1988 which was clearly indicated 1 min into the movie.
Entertaining
bogeyman7866 December 2019
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