Basically, War is nothing more than an extended 100 minute visual attack, without the Kung Fu/Wire work mastery we know Jet Li is famous for (and really doing it without the help of wires).
The plot has very thin papers: The main actor Jack Crawford (variously handsome still aging handsomely Jaston Statham, British Vin Diesel, only smarter with his film choices, a little more talented and knows what his fans want. Sorry Vin, we are still waiting for greatness – to prove you and not you can brag about it) is obsessed with “The Traitor”, a legendary assassin who kills his partner and family for revenge.
Crawford goes on a three-year mission to find Rogue and kill him for what he did to Crawford’s partner, his marriage, his family (Andrea Roth, fantastic and amazing in F/X’s Free Me has nothing to do here..NOTHING). and his soul.
The film focuses on his journey to find “Rogue” and all the double crossings and shenanigans that go along with “Rogue” (playing games and surprisingly, with a touch of understatement by Jet Li) members of the Yakuza (Shiro Clan, led by rising star Kira-san (Devon Aoki), daughter of Shiro (Ryo Ishibashi).
Do you think that a film like this would be ahead of its time with the clever and complex plot, theatrical action, and the twists and turns of John Woo’s Face/Off, or any film of the present, past, or even future of Asian cinema. directors (Tsui Hark, Kar Wai Wong, Taashi Miike {exploitative or not, turns it with the theatrical, Chan-wook Park {Oldboy, etc.). And, it’s going to be powerful.
But it soon fell apart because the movie wasn’t well written at all. Why are we supposed to care about Crawford? He willingly returned his life and home to kill himself? Well, well. But Jack Crawford wrote in such a one-dimensional way that it was hard to care.
And, twist at the end of time? SHAAADE. You mean to tell me that with all the mediocre action scenes, the lack of bullets and ku fung (the movie didn’t have nonstop action…), this is how it ends? Wow, Lion’s Gate, Leo’s character has insulted the audience. FREE
Both Li and Statham are credible action stars who are credible actors who can handle a well-written and well-composed action/drama. The war was not that moving.
I think this pairing, if given a well-written script, could work for future films. It just doesn’t work in this one.
Grade: Performance: C-/Action: C-/Writing: NE/Audiences are disappointed in this one of the top movies of the weekend (Watch): NE Super Grade: C-/NE
