Shoot ‘Em Up

Year: 2007

Grade: B+

Country: USA

Director: Davis

Review

not your typical shoot ’em up. it starts with a beautiful, off-kilter shot of clive owen on a dirty, wet street on a slight incline. the camera is set level so the incline is obvious and we know not all is right. soon owen is dragged into a twisted mystery involving murder, a baby’s life, a prostitute (belucci), and lots of violence. these are typical shoot ’em up elements, but the film takes everything to the extreme. fight choreography is out of a comic book or video game, the visuals are in-your-face, the one-liners come early and often, and the soundtrack features nirvana, motorhead, and the like. this isn’t a film for the meek or uninitiated or unadventurous. only a few of us were really along for the ride from the very beginning, but most of the crowd had warmed up to the style by the end. if you’ve got an open mind and don’t mind laughing at gratuitous violence then this is the movie for you.