Just noticed the review formatting has returned, thank god for that
Just noticed the review formatting has returned, thank god for that
Member since:29.08.2002
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Despite my liking for Steven Seagal action films I'm not what you would class as a huge fan of martial arts films. When I seen that Morgan Freeman was starring alongside Jet Li in his latest Kung Fu film I was intrigued as to the resulting film. I never had Freeman down as a Kung Fu film actor and likewise I hardly expected Li to be in the kind of films that Freeman and Bob Hoskins normally star. In this Luc Besson penned film however all three actors have been cobbled together in the unlikely location of Glasgow. Whether or not the resulting film would actually be any good would be revealed to me over the next hour and a half.
Jet Li stars as Danny a young slave raised by one of the top gangsters in Glasgow, Bart (Bob Hoskins). He doesn't really know where he came from or even the simplest emotions. His anger is controlled and channelled by Bart to obey his every wish. When Danny meets a Piano tuner, Sam (Morgan Freeman), by chance he is shown compassion for the first time he can remember. Danny manages to get away from Bart and for a while ends up living with Sam and discovering the joys of life. It isn't long before the past catches up with him and Danny must chose between his
former life and his new family.
The plot isn't the type I would normally relate to a Kung Fu film. In fact unlike a lot of Jet Li movies there is really a minimal amount of fighting with only a few real intense scenes. I felt the stories content was a lot more mature or adult in nature and as well as being entertaining really had an aspect of humanity about it. The gripping aspect of the movies script is the main reason why actors such as Morgan Freeman and Bob Hoskins can appear quite comfortably in a movie with Jet Li. Unlike his other movies there is quite an intense plot and a lot more emphasis is put on Besson's story rather than just the action sequences.
It's not just about the script however and I felt that Louis Leterrier did quite a decent job. As a relatively new comer to the film world he has already made a couple of decent films. Between the 2 Transporter films he's come up with this little hidden movie. While his direction isn't perfect the fight scenes are well choreographed and look quite impressive. Of course like a number of martial arts films the fights can be a little unbelievable but the fast pace and decent use of camera angles makes them easy to watch and achieve the right end result, they're enjoyable.
Although the film is set in Glasgow you would be forgiven for not realising. Apart from a couple of references there is nothing to tell you where the film is really set and personally I didn't find this a problem. The feeling the setting gave out worked perfectly for the story and the actual physical location is really of secondary importance. There is also a decent soundtrack with Massive Attack providing all the music for the movie. They have really utilised the setting and feeling of the movie to make some very well suited pieces of music that add to the tension and feeling of the movie overall.
While there are some parts of the film that the director has done incredibly well I also felt there was an equal amount of the film that could have been improved. For instance towards the start of the film there is around 5 minutes of footage of Danny and Bart going round to various places and beating people up. I felt this did add a little to the overall story and characterisation the angles and actual filming of it seemed quite out of place. There were also times during more emotional scenes where I felt he kept the close ups to a minimum and it would probably have had more effect with a few close ups thrown in.
While there are little niggles about other aspects of the film I could personally have no complaints about the cast. I always find that Morgan Freeman has a real presence in some films and at times would happily just watch him on his own. He takes to the role of Sam, the blind piano tuner, superbly and really makes the character come alive. I found his performance to be very heartfelt and his interaction with both Li and Kerry Condon who plays his daughter to be superb. Condon and Freeman seem to be able to portray a real loving family atmosphere easily and although there were complaints about parts of the direction the acting is incredibly heartfelt.
Likewise the performance of both Li and Hoskins really brought Besson's story to life and gave it a nice little edge that a lot of martial arts films lack. I do quite like Li's films and this one especially sees a side to him that I feel should be used more often. As well as an amazing martial artist he is also a very talented actor. While Hoskins is perfect as Bart, the big time mobster, and seems to be having a bit of fun, whilst still playing quite a serious role. The relationship between Hoskins and his for want of a better word Slave is the total opposite to the relationship between Freeman and Condon. I felt it was very well portrayed and all 4 main stars really put in a solid performance.
Overall I was quite impressed with this film. I quite liked Leterrier's previous effort with the Transporter and I felt that helped me to enjoy this film. It isn't your normal Martial Arts film and I think that actually helps with the story. There is just the right mix between fight scenes and plot, which works well. The combination of the parts looks to be an odd one and on first glance doesn't seem like it could work but despite my initial scepticism I really enjoyed the film. It is a good mixture of the Martial Arts and Drama genres that fans of either will be able to enjoy.
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Advantages: Great action scenes. Great direction. The cast are all on top form. Disadvantages: Not as emotionally involving as it likes to think it is. Depressed me...
moxon123 26.02.2006 ·
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penfold27 16.02.2006 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Unleashed (DVD)
Advantages: Great action scenes. Great direction. The cast are all on top form. Disadvantages: Not as emotionally involving as it likes to think it is. Depressed me...
moxon123 26.02.2006 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Unleashed (DVD)
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