ART OF WAR PG-13
Starring Wesley Snipes, Anne Archer, Michael Biehn, Maury Chaykin, Ian Lee, Marie Matiko, Cari-Hiroyuki Tagawa, and Donald Sutherland
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Eric says: ******* (7)
Sometimes, I am just in the mood to take a nice walk through the park, a saunter, actually. Watching other people, listening to all of the sounds - becoming an observer. It's very relaxing to actually be able to notice the world around you. I tend to like my movies like that as well, allowing me to observe the actions at a comfortable pace. Sadly, your average American Action Movie instead hopes that we suffer from Attention Defecit Disorder. Isn't that right Mr. Bay and Mr. Bruckheimer? We are usually assailed with BOOMs and KAPOWs, explosions and noise. So when I get a chance to enjoy a nicely-paced action-drama, there are usually two constants - first, I'll like it, and, second, it ain't an American Production. Eye of the Beholder, Ronin, The Ninth Gate, and The Professional are all good examples of this idealogy. So is Art of War.
A Canadian production, War, directed by Christian Duguay, and starring Wesley Snipes, at first glance seems like nothing more than a retread of U.S. Marshalls (starring Snipes himself), Enemy of the State, The Fugitive, or similar Wrongfully-Accused-Man-on-the-Run action fare. Happily, this film then distinguishes itself as more - a relaxed drama with action over-tones.
Snipes' Shaw character is one of the best at his job - a covert United Nations officer. He is just as adept at espionage as he is at gunplay. But, of course, the UN would "disavow any knowledge" of him and his his comrades should they ever be captured. Towards the beginning of the film, Shaw is sent to help ensure the signing of a Peace Treaty with China that has been personally devised by UN Secretary General Thomas (Donald Sutherland).
The simple mission goes horribly wrong (of course!), though, when Chinese Ambassador Wu is assassinated. Shaw is mistakenly fingered for the murder (of course!) but escapes to find the real killer while keeping the treaty on course (of course). A very pedestrian BTDT (Been There, Done That) set-up, admittedly. It is how Shaw finds the answer that sets it apart.
With the help of lovely UN interpreter Julia (Matiko), Snipes' character sets forth to unravel the labrynthine conspiracy. We are introduced to "Chinese Business Mogul David Chan", crafty FBI Detective Capella (Chaykin in a wonderfully under-stated role), and Shaw's employer, UN higher-up Eleanor Hooks (Archer looking like Annette Bening from The Siege).
The remainder of the film is a relaxed journey into the events surrounding the treaty and assassination. While there are a few explosions and shoot-outs, they tend more toward exposition than gratuitity.
Rich with intelligent characters that defy the conventional Hollywood logic ("Let's create dirt-stupid characters who do inane things to further our mediocre plot!"), the film itself exudes a certain awareness and self-assuredness while still providing a forum for showcasing Snipes' impressive athletic abilities (and physique). Furthering my belief that he was born to don the mask and cape of Batman in the next films(there really is no other logical choice), he looks just as comfortable socializing at a soiree wearing a tuxedo as he does drop-kicking bad guys and rapelling off of skyscrapers (which he does in this film in a tux).
If you want a thrill-a-minute stupid fun, rent The Rock, but for more of a thinking-man's action flick, high-tail it on down to your local Megaplex and enjoy this cinematic walk in the park. An over-all solid bit of entertainment thanks to our Canadian brothers (good job, eh), AoW won't break any box office records, but at least it broke some American movie cliches.
****NOTE****
Jet Li was initially pegged to play the Shaw role, but opted instead to "kick it" with Aaliyah in the moderately entertaining Romeo Must Die. When Snipes took over, credit should be given to both Snipes and the writers for staying true to the initial vision, instead of altering it for a "black actor". Snipes is an actor who happens to be African-American.
David says: ********** 7/10
I am not as great as Eric.
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