Bloodtype Online

    "War" takes two of modern cinema's top action stars and pits them against one another mano a mano. The film is directed by Phillip G. Atwell best known for directing music videos for stars including Eminem and 50 cent. The script was written by Lee Anthony Smith and Gregory J. Bradley. The two action stars mentioned in the opening sentence that headline the film are Jason Statham and Jet Li. The synopsis of the film follows FBI partners Tom (Terry Chen) and Jack (Statham) as they are in the middle of a mission. Bullets are whizzing threw the air, explosions are erupting all over and much of the environment is on fire as Tom and Jack make their way, taking out any hostiles in their path. Soon, Jack is almost taken out by an extremely fast assassin, but Tom has his back and apparently takes out the mysterious killer before he finishes Jack off. Jack then mentions that he believes that this man was "Rogue", an almost mythical assassin that the Yakuza use for only special operations. Tom doesn't even believe that "Rogue" exists.

     Not long after this opening scene, Jack and Tom are planning on taking their families to a football game together. Before they can enjoy their day, however, Tom and his family (his wife and son) are brutally murdered. Devastated, Jack thoroughly examines the crime scene and finds a bullet shell that is the trademark of "Rogue" (Li). Three years pass and Jack is still obsessed with bringing Rogue to justice and avenging his partner. His hunt for Rogue has lost him his marriage and has got him no closer to finding the elusive assassin. It seems as though Rogue had disappeared for all this time. Jack is then called in to a murder scene where high profile Yakuza members have been taken out. Jack immediately observes that it is the work of Rogue and that he is back. The remainder of the film follows Jack's hunt for Rogue as the plot also twists in with battling Yakuza families and Rogue's own interest in revenge.

     The technical aspects of the film are all high budget. The effects, explosions and action sequences are all professionally done. Atwell definitely uses his music video background as he utilizes many technical effects that reminded me of films such as "Rome Must Die" or "Charlie's Angels". These include many of the scene cuts, camera tricks and even the text that appears in the corner of numerous scenes. Personally, these kind of technical aspects come off as too "MTV-like" for my taste, however, most of the film is a visual feast. Overall, though, I would say that Atwell did a solid job for what I believe is his first full length feature film.

     In the end, though, I had a lot of problems with "War". I think that right off the bat I was expecting more from an action film starring both Jet Li and Jason Statham (both of whom I am a fan). The first problem (and its a big one) is the plot. The main story of "War", although some of it is creative, has been done a thousand times. Crime sagas about the Yakuza are nothing new. Li's character Rogue is mysterious and, for most of the film, the viewer can't tell just whose side he's on. This aspect did little for me, though, and then you throw in Statham's character who is a special agent out to avenge his partner and I am just not sold. My other biggest problem with the movie was the action sequences. I did mention that I thought the director did a decent job and I stick to that. The problem I had was that just none of the sequences stood out. They were alright, but there was no real originality or stand out creativity that had me blown away. I never assume anything with a film before I see it, but in this case, I had thoughts in my head that Statham and Li would be going ape shit within a flimsy plot. "War" turns out trying to twist and turn with an intricate plot along with the action and it just doesn't work. I would recommend "War" for any action fans who need a quick fix just don't expect too much.

Rating - **

Jared Bajoras