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Movie Review: Unleashed
No, the review itself isn't unleashed...that's the name of the film! [single tuba musically comments on this joke]
Danny, Jet Li's character in "Unleashed," bears at least indirect similarities to Li himself as an actor: Danny is the pet aggressor of Bob Hoskins' scenery-chewing, seemingly-immortal Glasgow bad guy, Uncle Bart, violently assaulting anyone on whom his master sics him. Bart cares little for Danny's feelings or well-being, save for what benefits his own interests. Similarly, the bigger Li becomes as an actor, the more he seems drawn to projects that allow him to act and develop a character rather than simply kicking ass for 90 minutes; but sadly, this is not what draws viewers to his films...the asskicking is.
This is unfortunate, especially this time around for Li, because what could be a dark and gritty examination of the psychology of submission becomes sabotaged by film-student dialogue and impossibly convenient plot advancements. What keeps the film going is the anticipation of what Danny will do when his collar comes off, which amounts to little more than trademark Jet Li destruction. As usual, his martial arts work is impeccable, but it can't carry a film so burdened with hamfisted messages and built on such a flimsy script. This story would be much better serviced in the hands of a Guy Ritchie, or even a mid-90's John Woo.
I'll grant two stars out of four to "Unleashed," a film that's watchable for the first half hour, but an exercise in rote predictability for the rest. Yes, Li kicks ass (although I must echo Zack and say I'm tired of the wirework in today's martial arts films, a trend thankfully bucked by the recent gem "Ong Bak: Thai Warrior"), but his performance can only help this movie muster a growl rather than a bite.
*************
Danny, Jet Li's character in "Unleashed," bears at least indirect similarities to Li himself as an actor: Danny is the pet aggressor of Bob Hoskins' scenery-chewing, seemingly-immortal Glasgow bad guy, Uncle Bart, violently assaulting anyone on whom his master sics him. Bart cares little for Danny's feelings or well-being, save for what benefits his own interests. Similarly, the bigger Li becomes as an actor, the more he seems drawn to projects that allow him to act and develop a character rather than simply kicking ass for 90 minutes; but sadly, this is not what draws viewers to his films...the asskicking is.
This is unfortunate, especially this time around for Li, because what could be a dark and gritty examination of the psychology of submission becomes sabotaged by film-student dialogue and impossibly convenient plot advancements. What keeps the film going is the anticipation of what Danny will do when his collar comes off, which amounts to little more than trademark Jet Li destruction. As usual, his martial arts work is impeccable, but it can't carry a film so burdened with hamfisted messages and built on such a flimsy script. This story would be much better serviced in the hands of a Guy Ritchie, or even a mid-90's John Woo.
I'll grant two stars out of four to "Unleashed," a film that's watchable for the first half hour, but an exercise in rote predictability for the rest. Yes, Li kicks ass (although I must echo Zack and say I'm tired of the wirework in today's martial arts films, a trend thankfully bucked by the recent gem "Ong Bak: Thai Warrior"), but his performance can only help this movie muster a growl rather than a bite.
*************
posted by JMP at 10:20 AM
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