"Going that extra round when you don't think you can, makes all the difference in your life&quo...
"Going that extra round when you don't think you can, makes all the difference in your life" Rocky Balboa (Rocky IV)
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Prior to its release there was a big marketing campaign to promote the release of this film. The trailer was being shown in cinemas a long time before its release and by the time the film was due out I had decided that I must see this film. Going from the trailers the film looked to have a good storyline and good action scenes. Perfect for a non-taxing night in the cinema.
** Story Line **
Sean Vetter (Vin Diesel) is DEA and has grown up with the drug world before becoming a cop. He knows how things work and he has a lot of contacts and friends on the street. When Vetter arrests a major drug lord, Lucero (Geno Silva), he makes himself a treat to the drug lords and so makes himself a target. When an attempted hit on him results in the death of his wife Vetter sets out on a mission to find the people responsible for her murder.
All indicators point to “Diablo” being behind the hit. “Diablo” is attempting to fill the void left by the departed Lucero and would have liked to get Vetter out of the way. Vetter and his partner Hicks (Larenz Tate) use all their street contacts as well as consulting Lucero in an attempt to trace the supply chain back to find “Diablo” and revenge his wife’s murder.
** Main Characters **
Sean Vetter – played by Vin Diesel, is the main character in the film. He is a tough DEA cop who
grew up on the street before becoming a cop. He is very streetwise and knows how the drugs world works. After the murder of his wife he throws himself into his work in an attempt to find those responsible for his wife’s death. Single minded and determined, he will have his revenge.
Demetrius Hicks – played by Larenz Tate, is Vetter’s partner. He grew up on the streets with Vetter and forms the other half of a very successful partnership. After the death of Vetter’s wife, Hicks tries to keep him in line and help him in his quest as much as he can. Hicks is less focused on revenge than Vetter is and is more interested in finding “Diablo” from a drugs perspective. In this respect there are limits to how far Kicks is willing to go to find “Diablo” although he does covers for Vetter when he crosses the line.
Meno Lucero – played by Geno Silva, is a drug lord who is arrested at the beginning of the film. Vetter tries to get him to give him information on the people who killed his wife as well as the likely identity of “Diablo”.
** Review **
I first saw this film in the cinema shortly after it was released. Due to the excessive marketing and the trailers I had seen I must admit I was expecting quite a lot going into the cinema. Needless to say when I came out I was disappointed with what I had seen. I felt the storyline was weak, the acting poor and the action scenes disappointing. I think this was mainly due my expectations going into this film.
The second time I watched it I was expecting a bad film (but for some reason felt compelled to watch it again). This time I was pleasantly surprised. The storyline is simple yet effective and the ending completes the film nicely. There is nothing particularly complicated about this storyline and it does not require your undivided attention to follow and enjoy the film. The action scenes are graphic and detailed enough to enhance the scene without being too over the top.
I will confess that there are still some parts in the film where the acting makes me cringe (when Vin Diesel climbs out of a sewer having been shot in the leg springs to mind), but generally there were solid performances from all the major characters. There will not be any Oscars awarded for these performances but it is not that sort of film. You should not be watching this film if you are looking for seamless, perfect acting. The performances are good enough to enhance the film though. The characters are brought to life enough to carry the story and add depth to a simple plot.
The character in the film and character development during the film is more complicated than the storyline itself. I think there are two ways you can watch this film. The first way is to sit back and admire the action scenes and gun fights, the other is to look for depth in the characters. For people who are looking more than just a shoot 'em up there are quite interesting aspects to all the characters. All seem to be walking a line between right and wrong, good and evil, with even the “good guys” breaking the law at times when passion, loyalty and emotion get the better of them. A good example of this is when Hicks covers for Vetter when he kills a man during a set up. Rather than have Vetter have to answer any questions about the incident, Hicks covers his partners actions during a gun fight that follows. A touching moment and a show of the loyalty that exists between the two men.
Those who want a shoot 'em up will not be disappointed either. There are plenty of bad guys and lots of gunfights, as Vetter seeks to bring down “Diablo”. The fight scenes are a lot more realistic that a lot of other films, with some “good guys” actually getting shot in this film. Some of the fight scenes are quite graphic and satisfying for action lovers. The action scenes do not go over the top and take over the story but are realistic and graphic enough to carry the storyline along.Vin Diesel is building himself a reputation as an action actor and this film does nothing to harm that reputation. There are deeper elements to this film and Vin handles the emotional aspect of the role very well. He is much better as the all action hero though but at least has shown competence in a slightly different role.
The DVD comes with several additional features like deleted scenes and theatrical trailer.
I recommend that everyone should see this film at least once and remember that enjoying it is all about expectation management. I think there is something for everyone in this film.
Thanks for reading.
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Good review. Just saw this and really found the acting awful and the non-action scenes protracted and boring. Good gun fights though. If you didn't like this the first time why did you watch it a second time?
For years the U.S. Government has been losing the war on drugs. Now one cop is going to ... more
turn the tide. Sean Vetter (Vin Diesel) is A Man Apart. He doesn't look like a cop. He doesn't act like a cop. He comes from the street. And he's part of the most...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
A MAN APART features Vin Diesel in a compelling role as tough DEA agent Sean Vetter, who ... more
sets out to avenge the brutal murder of his wife in a botched hit. As the drug wars rage along the US/Mexican border, a major player from the Baja Cartel is impris...
Advantages: Fantastic return to film noir, in your face, stylised violence with a new cool, great direction Disadvantages: Slightly too long, poor extras, lack of character storyline development
srtom 30.09.2005 (30.09.2005)
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