War

Director: Phillip Atwell

Action Director: Yuen Kwai

Cast: Jet Li, Jason Statham, Ryo Ishibashi

If any sentence can make fans of Asian cinema squeamish its, “Jet Li is going to be starring in a new American action film with Jason Statham”. It’s a general fact that Jet Li and American film making do not mix. Not to say he cannot find decent jobs outside of Asia. Danny the Dog was a magnificent opportunity for Li to show his acting talents, and Kiss of the Dragon was also a pretty decent film (They were both European productions).

However it seems that in America they just have no faith that Li could carry anything that wasn’t co-starring an R&B or Rap artist. Of course many can remember Statham and Li teamed up back in 2002 for the somewhat entertaining sci-fi flick “The One” which still ranks higher then the likes of Cradle to the Grave and Romeo Must Die.

So now they are together again in Phillip Atwell’s gangster flick War. “Wait, Who?” you ask? I did the same. Atwell is the famed director behind such classics as . . . um . . . Well actually he is a Hip Hop music video director who also helmed one episode of The Shield. By now I assume those who have not seen War have probably lost all hope.

However this is the part of my review where I tell you the shocking news. War is actually a damn good film!

Set to the backdrop of an ongoing three-way war between the Triads, Yakuza, and the Police. Statham plays an FBI agent who loses his partner to the hands of a notorious Hitman named Rogue (Jet Li). So now he has basically gone a little nuts, and set his sights on tracking down and killing his partner’s slayer. In the mean time sacrificing everything including his marriage and his relationship with his son. Meanwhile Rogue himself has his own agenda, using his keen ability to show no emotion whatsoever to easily gain the trust of both the Triads and the Yakuza. Only to continuously betray both sides and only infuriating the rivalry between them.

So what exactly is Rogue up to? Well obviously I cannot say, because if I do I will spoil what could be one of the best, and most unexpected plot twists ever seen!

There wasn't as much action as expected, and almost no martial arts. But that’s fine, the story (I thought) was really good, and again, the twist was fantastic! Despite their greatest efforts most films so called "Twist ending" is predictable and usually lame. But up till the very instant it was revealed I had not even the slightest clue! Then after watching it, I started recounting the events of the film and it all made so much sense. There were some moments throughout that seemed somewhat strange, but once the big surprise came along, it all made perfect sense!

Critics may hate it, but I think they have a winner! This is easily Jet Li's best American film.

Rating: 8.9 out of 10.0

-Jeff Wildman