War (Widescreen Edition)
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Movie Reviews of War (Widescreen Edition)
Movie Review: War in a nutshell
Summary: 4 Stars
This , in short, is a good movie. I really enjoyed that it was not super high budget. It really keeps you hanging right till the end on who the antagonist is and the whole story of why he is doing what it is he is doing. I always enjoy a good Jason Statham movie and was not disappointed wit this one.Movie Review: War review
Summary: 4 Stars
JetLi and Jason- what a combination, their engrossing (film) personalities and their acting skills make this an enjoyable action flick.Movie Review: War dvd
Summary: 4 Stars
With 2 high profile martial art actors, this movie was packed with fighting scenes that rocked.Movie Review: Do not go to WAR
Summary: 3 Stars
What the hell happened? This movie did not at all live up to expectations. I love both these action stars, Jason Statham and Jet Li, and what they bring to the table. I believed it was a can't miss premise: that of Statham and Li facing off against each other. Was I ever wrong!
Here's the plot: The slaughter of his partner and his partner's family causes federal agent John Crawford (Jason Statham) to go on a personal vendetta against a legendary assassin named Rogue. After three years, he finally gets a whiff of a lead. But, as Crawford hunts him down, Rogue (Jet Li) follows his own mysterious agenda. Having snaked his way into the Triad's inner circle, Rogue schemes and manipulates the Triad into engaging in warfare with the Yakuza. All the while, he is relentlessly hounded by Crawford and his task force.
Jason Statham brings his virility and patented angry intensity onto the screen. Jet Li, however, sleepwalks and delivers his lines without any type of conviction. Only in the action sequences does Jet spruce up, and, even then, we don't get to see him much in full out action. In an interview, Jet claimed that WAR isn't a martial arts film and I guess he's got this picture pegged perfectly. Oh, there's a ton of shooting with guns. But with namebrands like Jet Li and Jason Statham, with the latter having rapidly garnered a film rep as a martial artist (based on The Transporter series), I expected serious wushu mayhem. But Jet Li only gets to really cut loose wushu-style in one sequence when he goes up against ninja-clad Yakuza. Statham sees even less action, although he does have a pulse-pounding tussle in a teahouse. But, other than that, you'd never know Jason was well versed in the martial arts.
I was hugely anticipating Statham pitting his brawn and ferociousness against Li's agileness and speed. But, basically, the momumental throwdown between them never happens. They do get it on at the warehouse climax, but it comes off as more an amateurish and unfulfilling clash which emphasized wrestling, punching, and the two throwing each other thru things. Definitely not what I was hankering for. These guys both have built-in fan bases, and, in my opinion, the fans were just let down. I am sorely vexed.
Then, on top of that disappointment, you throw in the plodding nature of the story. Rogue persists in his machinations to set the two crime cartels against each other, forcing the audience to endure all the resulting dreary plot convolutions. Given, these aren't really dead spots in the film as much as the camera tending to hone in on sordid characters and situations I didn't give a crap about. But, even when things were happening, the film felt like it dragged. There are times when Statham's storyline is relegated to the background. Frankly, more focus should've been given to Crawford's pursuit of Rogue, especially since Statham, to me, is the more charismatic actor here. We're introduced to one promising character - the Yakuza head's capable and ambitious daughter - but nothing really comes of her story arc. However, I did appreciate the present she received.
There's one positive here in that a very nice twist is introduced late in the film, and it did surprise me. But, in the long run, too many things turned me off. When Jet Li and Jason Statham finally meet each other face to face, I expected fireworks. Not necessarily a fight, but...something, I dunno. But that scene left me cold. Sad to say, but these two lack chemistry together. The ending, when it came - and an unsatisfying and abrupt ending it was - couldn't have come any sooner. Two and a half stars of bitterness for this one.
Movie Review: Too many problems
Summary: 3 Stars
WARNING: RANT REVIEW
Many movies are so well-made that any incredulities are swept away by one's "willing suspension of disbelief." Not so with "War." There are too many black holes that suck in belief in this mess of a movie. After it was over, the thought was, Why was it made? To validate revenge? To rack up murder counts? To show the stupidity of rival factions and obsession with violence? To show that madmen can produce mad progeny? To show the devastating effects of corruption?
Whatever, both Jet Li and Jason Statham are wasted in this atmospheric film devoted to violence and the madness of men and one cold babe (think another b word). Jet Li is required to wield all manner of guns (none of this is a spoiler as the opening scene shows such). What is it with all these martial arts movies that EVERYONE is as good as the next guy? Is this reality? Are there that many people who have studied long enough to fight anyone, everyone? Correction: This is not a martial arts movie, it is a bloodbath!
Two rival factions, one Chinese, one Japanese, allow the same man in their organizations to defeat the other. Each side is clueless, yet he is there on the scene every time. Who is this Rogue? An urban legend? A CIA operative? An FBI man? A rogue from what?
Are there really FBI men like Jason Statham, whose character seems to have no one as his manager? Is such a one really free to operate the way he does in this movie? Don't say, It's only a movie. Movies should have a seeming of realism, not vigilantism by government.
And the ending, the ending. Both men spoke their final lines in a mumble, leaving this viewer partially clueless as to the meaning of the ending.
If the point of this movie references any of the questions asked at the beginning of this review, then how sad. How wasted. What does it say for America that we condone this sort of violence. Have we reached a point where violence is the answer to crime? Jason Statham and Jet Li were wasted in this production. There should be a rematch in a better vehicle for the talents of these two actors. Justice, if any is left, demands it.
Addendum
While this movie does not live up to expectations (see other reviews as well), it does have its merits. This addition is for balance. "War" is a wonderfully atmospheric film, one of the best. Shot in darkened places to connote dark doings, it never flinches in maintaining the darkness of men's souls. Even when mob leaders, Chinese or Japanese, demonstrate their heartless natures, there will be an immediate family scene that shows these men, particularly the Japanese leader, as wonderfully loving and caring family men. Perhaps the implication is facade. However, once a man acts in certain ways over and over, a modus operandi is established, making the next heinous act easier and so on.
This was the first film I have seen of Jason Statham and would like more. From other reviews I learned he is quite the action hero. I have a soft spot in my heart for Jet Li because of his character in "Unleashed," a movie I love and gave five stars. I still contend that a rematch between these two in a action film more characteristic of them, perhaps pairing them together rather than against each other is a great idea. I would also like to see the Chinese daughter in another film as she has a commanding presence. Ditto for Jason's two FBI partners.