War (2007) Movie Review, Trailer and Poster

USA 2007
Director: Phillip G. Atwell
Cast: Jet Li, Jason Statham, John Lone, Devon Aoki, Luis Guzmán, Saul Rubinek, Ryo Ishibashi
Rating: R
Release Date: 24 August 2007
Running Time: 1 hour 43 minutes

The Movie Review

Seeing the name Jason Statham and Jet Li, you would probably assume that if western badass meets eastern ass-kicker would make an explosive action movie, then you are standing in the thin line dividing wrong or right. As with War, this action movie certainly stands in that line with occasional tip-toes to either side.

War tells the story of an FBI agent John Crawford seeking revenge on the murder of his partner Tom Lone along with Tom's family. John suspects that it is Rogue behind all this. Rogue (Jet Li) is the mercenary known as the myth who doesn't have any master and is also untouchable for his deadly skills and some even believe that he doesn't exist.


WAR
Storyline:
Cast:
Ending:
Overall:

After three years have past, John (Jason Statham) finds a clue of Rogue's whereabouts as Rogue is now working for Chinese Triad leader Chang (John Lone) and on his mission to retrieve the stolen Gold Horses Statuette from Shiro (Ryo Ishibashi) the leader of the Japanese Yakuza. John's pursuit of Rogue now involves both the Triad world and the Yakuza world. Finally when John meets Rogue face to face, the final truth will be unveiled.

War, that is also entitled Rogue Assassin in some countries, makes use of unnecessary slow-motion effect for its small scenes such as picking up a bullet. Instead of making the scenes look cool, it makes them looks cheesy. Jet Li also seems to be holding his tongue as long as he can, which make Li's character the Rogue less interesting or soulless, hey, even bad guy supposed to have soul too, right?

One piece of suggestion in seeing War..., be patient. The same-o lame-o initial scenes are easily forgettable and don't have any real entertainment or even action value in it, although it's accompanied with great musical score. But still, simply dull. But the later part will start to kick your attention up a notch and will continue to be more exciting. It's always nice to see Statham jumps here and there and goes agro on everybody combined with Jet Li's martial arts prowess and his great agility.

Both actors Statham and Li have experienced in action movies with their own distinctive styles. Unfortunately they don't blend that well together. To those of you who have seen previous Statham's movies like The Transporter (2002) or Crank (2006) and Li's movies like Unleashed (2005) will probably frown to see their actions in War. Frankly, War is a good action film with enough adrenalin to be put on the hall of action genre, but compare to the other entries in the genre, War is just another usual shoot and jump movies.

© iwan pranowo of Movielogy.com