Critic's Grade: C+

Frank's film tip: It's a dog eat dog world for high-flying action star Jet Li in the surprisingly thoughtful redemptive action thriller UNLEASHED

Asian action star Jet Li hasn't exactly been able to hit his stride based on some of the faceless frenetic flicks he's been featured in lately. In director Louis Leterrier's stylishly odd but brutal action thriller Unleashed, Li branches out artistically thus providing the kinetic-kicking performer with one of his most challenging and engaging characterizations in quite some time.

Li, who became a major sensation in Asia courtesy of the One Upon a Time film series, is placed in a convoluted but nevertheless intriguing story that promotes the ultimate revenge fantasy. There's no doubt that Unleashed may be dismissed as yet another vacuous pulsating popcorn piece, especially when flashy filmmaker Luc Besson's cinematic influence is involved in the arena of producing and writing. But surprisingly, Leterrier's combative narrative is constructed with a rare combination of treachery and tenderness. Although uneven at times from an emotional standpoint, Unleashed still manages to incorporate the spirit of a palatable actioner that resonates with energetic force.

Bart (Bob Hoskins) is a loan shark who has a rather unusual "guard dog" in the form of an incoherent-sounding Danny (Li). As Bart's self-assured enforcer, Danny is used as an attack animal whenever some unlucky stiff decides to not pay up on a timely basis. Of course Danny is an awesome spectacle in the fighting department so Bart's opponents are next to guaranteed mincemeat if they somehow deceive him financially.

Bart's exploitation of using Danny as an enslaved protector doesn't stop there. When there are some filthy rich bucks to be made in fighting death matches, Bart looks to expand his inhumane usage of Danny and strike it big in that particular venue. But the timing couldn't be any worse for Bart; he's suddenly targeted for death by one of his ardent foes. While Bart was busy dodging his imminent eradication, Danny was accidentally freed from the fatal incident.

Clearly ruffled up by the fray, Danny stumbles across the kindly guidance of blind piano tuner Sam (played by the recent Oscar-winning Morgan Freeman). Unlike being under the terrorizing tutelage of Bart, Danny is treated respectfully by Sam. In fact, Sam hopes to make Danny realize who he is as a wounded soul and help solidify the mysterious tie-tongued stranger as a lost man entitled to searching for his past while embracing a positive future.

Unleashed may not necessarily pack an overwhelming philosophical punch that's deep and original as far as action-oriented redemptive thrill-seekers are concerned. Still, Leterrier (The Transporter) knows well enough to flourish this vengeful vehicle with the typical strokes of motivational mayhem. The real kudos is reserved for the film's choreographer Yuen Wo-Peng (The Matrix) whose animated input in spicing up the eye-popping fist-and-fury scenes is quite convincingly astounding. Certainly Li enthusiasts will be more than satisfied by the impish screen star's prowess as an impacted and conflicted fighting machine armed with melodramatic muscle.

Wisely, the movie surrounds the dialogue-challenged Li with seasoned cinema pros such as Freeman and Hoskins that gives the proceedings a workable dosage of credibility. Within the framework of any martial arts flick, it's always a gamble to try and instill traces of misplaced sentimentality. Although Unleashed tries valiantly to wave the character-driven flag gingerly, it's still an admirable effort in trying to balance an action thriller in which busting skulls is almost as revered as healing bruised psyches.

Strangely thoughtful and pleasingly absurd in its escapist ultra-violence, Unleashed is a dazzling little drama that gives a passionate kick to the surging sensibilities.

Frank rates this film: ** and a half stars (out of 4 stars)

All Reviews by Frank Ochieng [Home page]
If you are the author of this review, you may edit it by signing in.