Unleashed

Jet Li is one mean kung fu asskicker. Fans of Hong Kong action cinema probably already know this. When it comes to hands down relentless fighting scenes, he's done better in his home country, but that's not to say that his aggressive techniques aren't a blast in this one. As an action movie, it pretty much delivers the fun times in the first and third acts.
In between these moments, once Danny befriends Sam and Victoria, it's prety much a straight drama. I don't mind the fact that things slow down in an effort to bring about an emotional connection, because a good drama mixed into a tough action movie is what makes some films downright fantastic. Such as with Lethal Weapon. This is no Lethal Weapon, but it is entertaining. It almost gets a little too sappy at some moments, but thankfully it doesn't completely cross the line.

For the action scenes, he kicks some hardcore, and there's an underground battle sequence against several opponents in which the baddies are all dressed like bad Euro-fashion show rejects. The movie's "final boss" is laugh out loud ridiculous. He's dressed all in white, with a shaved head, really tall and doesn't talk. I guess his silence, and his willingness to present himself in public dressed like a wuss shows how badass he really is!

For those looking to have a great time without using your brain, and want some action with a bit of drama mixed in, I'd say that Unleashed is worth watching.

GRADE: B-

Reviewed 5/14/05