No Smoking

Plot Outline:
K (John Abraham) is a 30 year old man who thinks of himself as quite the catch and refuses to listen to advice from anyone. Overly confident about himself and whatever he does, he is also a chain smoker in the true sense of the word. Catching hold of this habit from a very young age, he hasn't looked back ever since. His well wishers have tried in vain to see to it that he kicks the habit but all to no avail.

When his wife decides to leave him over this, he finally decides to take a move in the right direction and approaches a clinic recommended by a close friend. Here he finds the one man who will help him: Baba Bengali Sealdahwale (Paresh Rawal).

Baba guarantees results, but first he offers a quick look at the terms and conditions (a huge book) and forces the signing of a contract. K can't leave until he has signed. Once he has, he's stuck. Baba has his own simple way of curing his patients. They must follow all his orders as per the terms and conditions signed and if they don't, he turns their life to hell, quite literally.

Overall Impressions:
It would be no overstatement to say this is by far the most surreal Indian film I have ever seen. It'd also easily make my Top 5 films this year. Since a lot of the events are beyond the realm of logic, the quirk factor fits the mood of the film perfectly. The story is connected in such a way that it leaves a lot to be understood by the audience, rather than being spoon-fed all the answers, thus making it a movie for quite a selective crowd. That and the parts that are just deflecting you from the actual on-goings, make this an instant cult classic.

It's the kind of cinema I can proudly recommend to others. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the masala flicks like Partner or Namastey London just as much as the 'generic' audiences, but if someone hadn't seen a Bolly-flick before, no way would I recommend them, I'd pick something smarter, like this.

Beneath the gloss there is a lot being portrayed here that is being missed (judging by the reviews I've read). It seems the expectations of the critics as well as the masses was of a generic entertainer. Why though? I don't really understand that logic. From what little promos I've seen, it was advertised as a film that promotes anti-smoking. How can you make a flick about this, that wouldn't seem bland? Let's see how that could have panned out: He decides to attempt quitting at plot point 1 (all same upto this point), end resolution of he does or does not, what could you put in the middle that would keep you engaged??

The way it has been handled is definitely ground-breaking as far as Indian cinema is concerned. I would compare it to what the Russians did with Vampires in Nightwatch, mixed perhaps with what the Americans did with sports films in Field of Dreams. If I am to complain I'd say the songs are the only points where I felt the time to look at my watch, meaning if they were removed, no harm would be done. Otherwise the background music too was totally fitting.

Perhaps the advertising could have been altered too? I don't have any suggestions as to what I would do though so I won't dwell on this too much, but after the film I felt torn between whether this is a film that is anti-smoking or anti-anti-smoking. I guess I should clarify: It's clear that Smoking is injirious to health, kills, etc, etc, it isn't disputing that. In fact if kids were made to watch this film, one way or another, they'd probably get the message. (but being a 15 rated film, 'obviously' no kid will see it -- HA!).

So yes, smoking is bad is certainly 'a' message, but the impression I got more strongly was that the people convincing him that he should quit, were just as sadistic & in the wrong - if not more. Having read the director's blog entry about it afterwards, it did make more sense. It's certainly worth a read.

Some other subtle touches such as Hindi subtitles when English is spoken and thought bubbles, was novel to see. You have to give the production credit for not doing a half-baked job, amongst so many out there that will do the minimal in post-production.

A respectable film about our battles with our own demons, as well as a swiftly judging society that we live in. A total two-thumbs up.

Saw IV

Plot Outline:
Jigsaw and his apprentice Amanda are dead. Now, upon the news of Detective Kerry's murder, two seasoned FBI profilers arrive in the terrified community to assist the veteran Detective Hoffman in sifting through Jigsaw's latest grizzly remains and piecing together the puzzle. However, when a SWAT Commander is abducted too and thrust into the game, the last officer of the team untouched by Jigsaw has but ninety minutes to overcome a series of demented traps and save an old friend or face the deadly consequences.

Overall Impressions:
I went in thinking, surely this can't work, came out thinking, okay, so it can work, but it's still no patch on the previous films. I definitely still think they should have stopped after the 3rd instalment.

It has all the ingredients of the prior films as far as traps, gore and nifty little surprises go, but the overall statement that Jigsaw was giving about having value for life, seems to have fizzled. For people like me who dismiss the gore as a mere aftereffect, this means it loses its soul. I fel this was happening earlier in the series, but then it was explained. Here, unfortunately, they've resorted to confusing rather than explaining. I get the feeling to make this work they have pulled together irrelevant parts of what we have already seen and added depth to it, which is reasonable, except for the part that it feels that way.

It does have some more positive parts, like the background behind Jigsaw and how parts of the prior films actually came about, but even this doesn't outweigh this feeling of "stop, you're ruining it".

If it's Halloween it must be Saw?? No, not really. They've got a lot of people in this time due to the curiosity of "Seriously? How can they??" but I doubt instalment #5 will even have that advantage going for them.

Jab We Met
जब वी मेट (When We Met)

Plot Outline:
Aditya (Shahid Kapur), a defeated industrialist, is even more broken as the girl he loves is getting married. Unable to muster up the courage to return home, he drifts out of the gathering and aimlessly boards a train, bounding away into the night. As luck would have it, on the very same train he meets Geet (Kareena Kapoor) – a beautiful but annoyingly talkative girl who is leaving Mumbai to go her hometown – Bhatinda (Punjab). Later, she has plans of eloping with her boyfriend. Geet irritates Aditya to the point of getting him to leave the train. As she tries to get him back on the train, she ends up missing it and the two find themselves stranded on a desolate station with no luggage or money.

Overall Impressions:
How things go from here is pretty predictable. This one falls under the age-old "boy meets girl, they hate, they love, obstacles are found then removed, leading to a happy ending" genre, but is it any good?

Well, on the screenplay level, it seems formulaic, everything that happens is followed up later with something that reflects it, which is great however it shouldn't be so visible to the viewer. It needs to be more surrounded with drama and emotion, it is, but not nearly quite enough.

That said, it's a decent enough chick-flick. An old story in a new package, a pretty, well decorated package at that, making it an entertaining flick, but no classic. A better soundtrack could have enhanced its outcome by milestones. I guess the main thing working to its advantage is that it's certainly a good vehicle for the starts to strut their stuff. The characters allow them this leisure, and they use the opportunity wisely.

As well as the word of mouth of their performances, the fact that Shahid and Kareena were an item in real life until quite recently, will surely get some extra media exposure for it.

In the end, I felt entertained, which is what counts, but I won't be in a hurry to see it again, due to a mediocre soundtrack.

Ratatouille'

Plot Outline:
Remy is a rat, constantly risking his life because of his love of good food, as well as a desire to become a chef. Yet, obviously, this is a rather tough dream for a rat. But when fate places Remy in the sewers of Paris, he finds himself ideally situated beneath a restaurant made famous by his culinary hero, Auguste Gusteau.

Despite the apparent dangers of being an unlikely - and certainly unwanted - visitor in the kitchen of such a fine restaurant, an opportunity he can't refuse knocks when a young boy, who desperately needs to keep his job at the restaurant (despite his lack of cooking abilities), discovers and partners the young Remy.

Its up to the two of them to avoid the insane head chef, bring the rest of Remy's family up to his standards, win his partner a girl, and, of course, produce the finest Ratatouille in all of France.

Overall Impressions:
Pixar films have always been a treat to watch, this one is no different in that respect, but naturally if they keep raising the bar at each new film, eventually something's got to give. I think that's what happened with Cars (the only one I didn't watch). After the success of Finding Nemo and The Incredibles, for some reason Cars just didn't appeal. This one however .. Thumbs-Up!

I wouldn't say it's my favourite from their picture house if I had to pick one, it's not as great as half of the reviews I've stumbled across, I'd even say it surprises and amuses me how high up it holds in the imdb Top 250, but in addition to this all, it has to be said, it is a fun film to watch. I can't deny it that. Do I sound conflicted? Well get over it, go see it and decide for yourself. :-P It is worth seeing, I guess just the over-done rant and rave around it had me expecting more is all.

Anybody who likes their food tasty will like the film. Basically, fun for all the family.

Mr. Brooks

Plot Outline:
After Mr Brooks (Kevin Costner) receives a "Man of the Year" award, we find out he is a serial killer haunted by the voice of his alter ego inside his head. Divided between a cold and racional Brooks and an emotional and intuitive Marshall (William Hurt), he decides to satisfy Marshall by killing his last victims and then "retiring" to a simple family life.

Something goes wrong in this final deed and he cannot leave his life of crime. Meanwhile, other things start to go wrong with his perfect family life too, and adding to this some more a rough cop (Demi Moore) familiar with his killing pattern also begins to chase him.

Mr. Brooks soon finds out that the only way to put an end to his life of crime is to kill again, and then some more, or die/disappear in the process.

Overall Impressions:
Unlike most of the people I know, I don't hate Kevin Costner as an actor, that might be because I haven't seen the films that people thought were a letdown. Haven't seen The Postman or Waterworld. I remember him as the guy from Field of Dreams, Robin Hood, The Bodyguard and that kick-ass film The Untouchables, but even so does a couple of bad films make a bad actor?. Okay, on that note I do realise I've said bugger-all about Mr. Brooks yet so I'll get to it.

From the very opening it had me gripped, as he and his partner (alter-ego) move onto their 'last' murder, it was interesting to see the words exchanged. The guy was a perfectionist, but when all was said and done, he even noted the loose end he had left. Anything else that we may have missed out from that scene was explained by the police at the crime scene the following day.

As I said earlier I think Costner is a good actor, but even I didn't think he had it in him to pull this one off, but he has, perfectly at that. The poster reminded me a bit of One Hour Photo, which though cool I was a little disappointed by. This one ticked all the right boxes by my book. An addicted killer trapped by a loose end and his addiction leading to ... ah well yea' that's the crunch, how can this end? Surely the options are whether he gets away with it, or not? As I played these out in my head I came to realise, neither would have been satisfying for me. Since films like The Usual Suspect, A cool bad guy that 'wins' is just as much a cliche' these days as good winning over evil, yet somehow they managed to satisfy me with what they did do. The end result: Finally a film that shows some freshness in the films about serial killers. Bravo.

I just caught it on it's way out of my local cinema, unlike Invasion this time I'm glad I did. Definitely worth a watch. On my DVD shopping list for sure.

Invasion, The

Plot Outline:
A crashed space shuttle brings a form of bacteria to earth that becomes catalysed during sleep, and turns the infected host into an emotionless human. A psychiatrist (Nicole Kidman) becomes infected whilst trying to find her son, and therefore must not fall asleep lest she become like them. She and her boyfriend (Daniel Craig) discover that one of her patients and her son are immune to the virus, due to a severe strain of chicken pox they had in a previous year, and so they fight their way into a quarantined area where they can be tested to create a possible cure.

Overall Impressions:
I haven't seen any of the 'Body Snatcher' flicks, so no comparisons here. I had heard that the cast wanted nothing to do with the promotion of this film, which usually means bad news. Now having seen it, I can see why. That said it's not terrible, it's okay, watchable. I probably wouldn't watch it again but it is well acted and the concept is interesting.

Unfortunately the whole profound message it was trying to give saying that "humans are primal and with humanity comes war", though interesting, doesn't really stick, so I feel it fails in its intentions there. As far as the story-telling narrative is concerned though, it's okay. The journey of an infected woman, safe-guarding her son, in hope for a cure, that part works, the problem being it's too predictable and hence bores you.

Overall, it holds together structurally, but it's just pretty dull to watch pan out. A shame.

30 Days of Night

Plot Outline
For 30 days every winter, the isolated town of Barrow, Alaska is plunged into a state of complete darkness. It's a bitter time when most of the inhabitants head south. This winter, a mysterious group of strangers appear: bloodthirsty vampires, ready to take advantage of the uninterrupted darkness to feed on the residents remaining in town. Barrow's Sheriff Eben (Josh Hartnett), his estranged wife Stella (Melissa George), and an ever-shrinking group of survivors must do anything they can to last until daylight.

Review
A stranger is seen in town (Ben Foster) in conjunction with a number of strange cases of vandalism/attacks as the town prepares for it's 30 days of darkness. The setup is perfect. They clearly make you feel that things are going to be going wrong here, big-time. Though Ben Foster has little screen-time, in these initial scenes he flawlessly adds to the sense of intimidation. He knows something that explains the strange occurences around town, but he doesn't spell it out, only hints at it. "They're coming!"

As expected of a film of this genre it has the key characters defined early on, the main couple with a conflict in their back story, other key individuals, relatives, families, some of which will become prey, some not, and it's up to you to guess who. Thankfully they don't spend too much time messing around once the setup is complete. Time to watch as the bloodbath ensues. People start getting slaughtered as the vampires are revealed. Defnitely another big win for the film. These are mean looking vamps. Gone are the days of dodgy morphs and painted faces, the effects fit the genre to the tee. I personally also liked that they didn't speak English. It made them more, believable.

From here the ride is pretty constant up to the pre-climax. Is this good? Well, yes and no. The plus side is that the action keeps you engaged, consistently, with intimidation, people turned to vamps, vamp to dust, beheadings, the usual stuff you'd expect from a decent vampire flick. The good stuff.

On the flipside, there isn't much there to suggest that days are passing by. Josh gets stubble, but not much else changes. An in-depth progression of time may be much to expect from a film like this, but with a title like this, I'd have expected that they put in something, unfortunately, we only get a caption 3 or 4 times in the film telling you what day it is. Before you know it, day 30 has arrived, and this is where it gets interesting (and not in a good way).

If you were to compare the good times you have when 'drinking and merry' with 'the aftermath' or worse the situation where you're not careful, leading to 'projectile reverse of swallowing', well that's precisely how I felt about the film upto this point compared to its last 10 minutes. Everything was going so well. Since I intend to keep this spoiler-free, my sentiments are simply 'why-oh-why did you do that??' My own possible justifications were, perhaps to add more drama to the 30th day? To remain true to the graphic novel? Just for fun? I couldn't say for sure, but if they had to incorporate it, I think it was crucial that they had some setup for those final events. It seemed a little far fetched (okay I can let that slip, since it's a film about vampires after all) but also too sudden. Even films with a good twist have some setup, something to look back at and think, ah that makes sense. Here there is none.

Overall, if the last 10 minutes were removed from memory (which is really unfortunate that I can't) I would have recommended it as a top-class vampire film, with some good characterisation and numerous humerous kills (human and vampire alike). Alas, at my current standing, I'll say its a pungent disappointing after-taste sticking with you after an otherwise good meal.

Last Legion, The

Plot Outline:
As the Roman empire crumbles, young Romulus Augustus flees the city and embarks on a perilous voyage to Britainnia to track down a legion of supporters.

Overall Impressions:
As a yawn flick, this stands well. Passable in every respect. The performances were good. I didn't think Colin Firth had it in him to do brave and sword yielder. Bollywood starlet Aishwarya Rai adds glamour and humour to the mix, without standing out as awkward. Ben Kingsley is his usual spectacular quirky self, but there's simply no covering up that it's just plain boring.

There is lots of 'seen before' stuff going on, you can see the betrayals, the wars and their results three scenes before they happen. The whole thng is just too damned familiar, which can work if a certain freshness is added, alas that is not the case here.

If you've got nothing better to do, maybe, but with the wonder of multiplexes, this won't be the case. Will it?

Resident Evil: Extinction

Plot Outline:
Years after the Raccoon City disaster, Alice (Milla Jovovich) is on her own; aware that she has become a liability and could endanger those around her, she is struggling to survive. Meanwhile, traveling through the Nevada Desert and the ruins of Las Vegas, a group of survivors must fight to survive extinction against hordes of zombies, killer crows and the most terrifying creatures created as a result of the deadly T-Virus that has killed millions.

Overall Impressions:
What I enjoyed about this film (apart from watching Milla Jovovich) is that it hold up a sense of integrity. They've toned down some of what you saw in the second film and reconnected with what really worked for the original. It holds up as a standalone film but would definitely work better for those who have seen the first film. How well connected it is to the games that it is based on is something I can't really comment on, but it's a fun zombie flick.

The latest from the Umbrella Corporation gets thumbs up from me, not a must see, but certainly a good popcorn flick for a lazy evening.

As is blatantly obvious, I've fallen a bit behind with updates here, RD15 and otherwise, I have a lot drafted but not quite publishes so I expect that to fix itself (not even vaguely in any specific order) over the next week. So keep an eye open for posts appearing over the last 3 weeks or so.

Silent Salutes
_ram-jaane'

Fälscher, Die (Counterfeiters, The)

Plot Outline:
The true story of the largest counterfeiting operation in history, set up by the Nazis in 1936. Salomon "Sally" Sorowitsch (Karl Markovics) is the king of counterfeiters. He lives a mischievous life of cards, booze, and women in Berlin during the Nazi-era. Suddenly his luck runs dry when arrested by Superintendent Friedrich Herzog (Devid Striesow).

Immediately thrown into the Mauthausen concentration camp, Salomon exhibits exceptional skills there and is soon transferred to the upgraded camp of Sachsenhausen. Upon his arrival, he once again comes face to face with Herzog, who is there on a secret mission.

Hand-picked for his unique skill, Salomon and a group of professionals are forced to produce fake foreign currency under the program Operation Berhard. The team, which also includes detainee Adolf Burger (August Diehl) whose novel this film is based upon, is given luxury barracks for their assistance. But while Salomon attempts to weaken the economy of Germany's allied opponents, Adolf refuses to use his skills for Nazi profit and would like to do something to stop Operation Bernhard's aid to the war effort. Faced with a moral dilemma, Salomon must decide whether his actions, which could prolong the war and risk the lives of fellow prisoners, are ultimately the right ones.

Overall Impressions:
Well, it's certainly a very interesting story, that I didn't know before coming across the film, so it's certainly been educational. Who would have thought money could be so extremely important to the welfare of whole countries? When I came across posters of the film I just thought it would be based upon some criminal / crime outfit and some good conterfeiter who had a good go at it, got greedy or lazy and then got caught, kinda like all the films you see about drugs, with a moral to the story being good should prevail over evil and what not. So it was great to find a film of much deeper meaning and thought.

Not only does it make you think a little about how the 'evil' becomes much hazier when your life is on the line but it's also acted out and executed extremely well. What more can you ask for?... Yea' I know ..Big explosions, Ninjas, Guns, Knives, Swords, etc. Okay seriously though, the only small complaint I would perhaps have is that the narrative runs a little slowly, making the duration a little tiresome, but otherwise this film is just money.

An interesting story, well told, with superb performances. Definitely worth a watch.

Laaga Chunari Mein Daag'

Plot Outline:
Badki (Rani Mukerji) and Chutki (Konkona Sen Sharma) are the daughters of Shivshankar Sahay (Anupam Kher) and Sabitri (Jaya Bachchan). They live together on the banks of the Ganges river in Banaras. Life is sweet and fun-filled for the two, though the family is relatively poor. Badki especially is protective of her family and is determined to make sure Chutki completes her education.

As things go from bad to worse, Badki goes to Mumbai to find work. After numerous obstacles and feeling desperate and out of options, she makes herself over into a high class exclusive escort/call girl. Telling her family she is an event planner and sending them money for her father's medicines and to keep the family home from being foreclosed on, Badki hides her secret.

Chutki completes her MBA and, unannounced, comes to live with Badki in Mumbai. The younger sister becomes a trainee at an advertising agency falls in love with her boss, creative director Vivaan (Kunal Kapoor). As she inadvertently discovers what Badki does for a living, and as Chukti's wedding day approaches, the sisters and their family must face the secrets and lies once and for all.

Overall Impressions:
If you watch it merely for the aesthetic gloss, it's spectacular. Everything you would expect from India's No.1 production house. From the town of Benaras to the streets of Mumbai, every frame visually captures the mood for you. The performances by the entire team from the veterans, to the stars to the supporting cast, all worthy of applaude. Even. the music throughout captures the on-goings of the film with much finesse, yet even with all these strengths somehow you walk away a little disappointed by it all.

There are two main reasons that I can pinpoint. The narrative seems to know where it's going, but doesn't really know how to get there. The struggle for money leading to a girl moving to Mumbai to find a job seems plausible, within a short time being advised to become an escort? - not so convincing? If she could transform from the village girl into a sophisticated high-class escort, what was stopping her becoming a model? or a con artist? There were numerous ways she could have used the beauty to her advantage. Even her little forced love story seems to take forced coincidences as a path. So, the writing is my first reason.

My second reason is that stepping back to the mere concept of the film, it's a drum that's been overbeaten and ripped. The sound now is more of an irritating noise rather than a beat. I mean don't get me wrong, it is tragic, but she made her choices and dealt with the consequences. The woman of today will probably find it insulting more than anything else. My 2 cents anyway.

A well shot film, with great performances that you'll feel you've seen before. Reasonable, but passable.

Bhool Bhulaiyaa'

Plot Outline:
When US based Siddharth (Shiney Ahuja) and his newly wed wife Avni (Vidya Balan) decide on coming home, they are welcomed with open arms by the large extended family, but what the family resists is Siddharth's insistence on staying in his royal ancestral mansion during his stay, and with good reason. Legend tells that this very mansion holds a history in its realm, a deadly secret that has repeatedly destroyed the family for generations.

The scientifically inclined Siddharth pays no heed and starts staying at the palatial mansion with Avni who is equally modern in her thinking... But soon enough the couple is forced to rethink their decision... Unforeseen happenings, mysterious elements, horrific indications and life threatening incidents swarm their path. Suddenly it becomes a situation that urgently had to be dealt with before it got too late.

Siddharth instinctively finds the solution in his dynamic Doctor friend Aditya (Akshay Kumar). When Dr. Aditya finds his way into the mansion, he is a man on a mission. He just had to find the cause of all the upheaval before the effects caused more harm than could be imagined... Where did the answer lie??? The Scientific world or the Mystical one??? The puzzle had to be solved... It is not long before Dr Aditya discovers that nothing is what it seems and what seems, is not... and that the devastating reality was enough to shatter all truths.

Overall Impressions:
What comes as a surprise is that though it is a Priyadarshan film and has Akshay Kumar, it's not a laugh riot. He's decided to expand his horizons with ths one. Well, if you're setting a story whereby the events venture into the realm of supernatural, what better place to set it than a place where the belief still holds.

After you get past the introductions of the characters and their blind faith in the curse that surrounds the mansion, the story gets rolling pretty swiftly. The events unfold such that the stories and curse around the mansion seem to be manifesting themselves. Everybody is in agreement that the outcome is not going to be good. At this juncture we also have our doubts on a number of the family menbers. When things start escalating and getting bloody the doctor is called in.

When Akshay Kumar enters the scene at interval point, the film becomes diverted solely to the investigation. What is handled very well here is that, as things progress and a conclusion is reached, this resolution leaves scope for both logic and myth to be upheld. Though the logical explanation is given more weight, the film doesn't go out of it's way to piss off the believers. In that respect it kinda reminded me of the X-Files.

An interesting look into a tale of a haunted mansion. Worth a see.

Dnevnoy Dozor (Day Watch)

Plot Outline:
It has been some time since the grand finale of the original film. Anton (Khabensky) continues to fight the forces of Darkness while simultaneously attempting to find and save his son from the clutches of those same forces. But when Dark Others start mysteriously being killed, and Anton is framed for their murders, he must put that goal on hold and try to escape the Day Watch that is looking for his blood.

Overall Impressions:
Depending on where you found yourself with the first one, you'll find this one better or worse. Sound like a riddle? Let me explain. The Night Watch was received well by most as a film, but I recall long chats with people about how they thought it was a little too much, eg; to see an owl transform into a woman (quite painfully at that). I would agree that there was a lot of quirk/strange factor. Personally, I loved that stuff.

This time round it's a little toned down, still there, but less so. In addition, it's quite clear that a lot more money has been thrown into this one (at the cost of creativity, perhaps?!). So coming to the point, it's more for the masses than perhaps the first was. That said, it's still pretty damned good & the money is utilisied well.

Though it's a slight different flavout to the first, I'd still thoroughly recommend it.

Michael Clayton

Plot Outline:
Michael Clayton (George Clooney) is an in-house "fixer" at one of the largest corporate law firms in New York. A former criminal prosecutor, Clayton takes care of the dirtiest work at the firm. Though burned out and hardly content with his job as a fixer, his divorce, a failed business venture and mounting debts have left Clayton inextricably tied to the firm.

Meanwhile, at a company called U-North, the career of a litigator rests on the multi-million dollar settlement of a class action suit that Clayton's firm is leading to a seemingly successful conclusion.

The tables turn as brilliant and guilt-ridden attorney Arthur Edens (Tom Wilkinson) who trained Michael decides to sabotage the U-North case in his new enlightenened (mental) state. Facing up to his mentor, Clayton now faces the biggest challenge of his career and his life.

Overall Impressions:
Falsely advertised a a thriller, it's more of a talkie-talk film. Interesting in parts but mostly I'd say the film is a large leadup to the final event. This final event is all well and good. Bravo to Mr. Clooney for making that worth the wait. Looking back at the film as a whole though, I don't really see the big deal. Clooney and Wilkinson are the focus of the film and their performances flawless, but the remainder of the film is quite bland. There isn't enough story for you to warrant the duration in my opinion.

Not really seeing what the big deal was surrounding this film. It was okay, wouldn't see it again.

War

Plot Outline:
After his partner Tom Wynne and family are killed apparently by the infamous and elusive assassin Rogue, FBI agent Jack Crawford (Jason Statham) becomes obsessed with revenge as his world unravels into a vortex of guilt and betrayal. Rogue (Jet Li) eventually resurfaces to settle a score of his own, setting off a bloody crime war between Asian mob rivals Chang of the Triad's and Yakuza boss Shiro. When Jack and Rogue finally come face to face, war ensues and the ultimate truth of their pasts will be revealed.

Overall Impressions:
Plot is mediocre at that, there are plot twists that seem forced and much of the rest is predictable, yet even so I will be buying this on DVD upon its release. Why? Style. If I sum up this film in one word it would be 'slick'. Jet Li is the very reflection of what a rogue assasin should be like. I prefer that title too if I'm honest. If it wasn't for the lazy plot, this could have made film of the year for me, alas it falls flat in that category.

Even so, it's high up there as Jet Li is too damned cool in it. He takes the role of a hitman that I would have in my head and amplifies it (which if you've ever had a discussion with me about scripts & films with assasins in them, you'll know is quite an achievement).

Worth seeing for Jet Li's cool and calm if nothing else. Really. He is 'that' good in it.