“WAR”

Jet Li
Jason Statham
John Lone
Devon Aoki
Luis Guzman
Saul Rubinek
Ryo Ishibashi
Sung Kang
Mathew St. Patrick
Nadine Velaquez
Andrea Roth
Mark Cheng
Kane Kosugi

R           103min           2007

After his partner is brutally murdered by the infamous assassin Rogue (Jet Li), FBI agent Jack Crawford (Jason Statham) vows to find the elusive killer and personally avenge his partner’s death. However, Crawford’s thirst for vengeance jeopardizes his professional judgment, and as the violence escalates, he finds himself in the middle of a conflict between two rival Asian gangs. Now nothing is quite what it seems and he must be prepared for WAR! – from back cover

“War” is an re-teaming of Jason Statham and Jet Li in an average revenge action movie. The twist in the end makes this film worth watching and changes how the entire film plays out in your mind. It takes elements from westerns and Asian karate films to create a standard action film

This re-teaming is more cohesive than “The One”. Statham and Li play off each other better. Statham is more comfortable with the action and Li is more charismatic on screen. In addition, this time around they are on equal billing. “The One” was a starring vehicle for Li where “WAR” is top billing for both.

“War” is a standard action film just above the rest. It is one man fighting for the injustice of his dead friend and the one man he wants is standing on the other side of an army. The karate action is a little over the top and brings up many question once the film ends.

The plot twist near the end of elevates this film for the bottom of standard action films. It also opens the book for sequels for Li’s Rogue character. Turns the entire film on its head; everything you thought you knew changes once the reveal comes. Personally, I like to see where several of the characters go from the end of this film.

There are several special features on the “War” DVD. There are three audio commentaries one with the director, one with the writer, and an audio trivia track. There are featurettes on the action and scoring the film. It has the standard gag reel, deleted and extended scenes. It has movie previews for “3:10 to Yuma”, “Good Luck Chuck”, “Saw IV”, “Shattered” and “Crank”

I give it 3/5 Gs.

“Shoot ‘Em Up”

Clive Owen
Paul Giamatti
Monica Bellucci
Stephen McHattie
Greg Bryk
Daniel Pilon

R           86min           2007

When the man known only as Smith (Clive Owen), a gorgeous streetwalker (Monica Bellucci) and a maniacal hit man (Paul Giamatti) get swept up in a deadly game of cat- and mouse. It sets off an explosion of armed thugs, flying bullets and nonstop action so big; it will blow you away! – from back cover

“Shoot ‘Em Up” is an action film someone wrote while they were high. Everything is a little over the top and slanted on a curve. However, this all works for this film. It is worth giving it a look.

Everything in this film is over the top. The action is full stylized over the top. They do things that look cool on the screen but are humanly impossible. Stuff never tried by experts just to see if it could be done.

The characters are all over the top. Clive Owen is the nanny from heaven or hell depending on your perspective. Monica Bellucci plays a specialized hooker. Paul Giamatti plays one of the most unlikely hitman on screen and even with that said he works as hitman in “Shoot ‘Em Up”.

The best thing besides the stars they have to act in this film is the action. It is so over the top that you can wait to see what they do next. The craziness of it all leads to moment of pure hilarity. I liked because it was over the top, which works in the context of this film.

“Shoot ‘Em Up” has more movie previews than special features. There are the standard deleted and extended scenes. It has an audio commentary with the writer/director Mark Davis. There is an making of featurette and animanics of the action in the film. There movie previews for “Be Kind Rewind”, “Harold and Kumar 2”, “Number 23”, “Rush Hour 3”, “Mr. Woodcock”, “The Invasion”, “The Brave One”, “The Hard Easy”, and “M:I 5”.

I give it 4/5 Gs.