'Unleashed': Sentimental chop socky
Palm Beach Post
Love it or hate it and moviegoers are bound to be divided on this one you have to admit that Unleashed is not your usual martial arts flick.
Rogue Pictures
B The verdict: A schizophrenic, but entertaining martial arts movie grafted onto a message film pushing family values. Director: Louis Leterrier On the web |
||
It does star Jet Li, has plenty of choreographed chop socky fighting action and more than earns its R-rating for brutal violence. But at its core it is a film about the value of family and the healing power of classical music.
Called originally Danny the Dog, it is the saga of a pit bull fighter (Li) who is trained by a snarling loan shark (Bob Hoskins) to attack and nearly kill debt deadbeats as soon as his neck collar is removed.
But Danny escapes from the mob thug's clutches and is shown kindness and taken in by a — get this — blind piano tuner (Morgan Freeman) and his teenage concert pianist stepdaughter (a charming Kerry Condon).
They wean Danny toward civility, like healing an abused puppy, but of course he gets reeled back in to his former calling.
Director Louis Leterrier (The Transporter) and screenwriter-producer Luc Besson handle both sides of this highly schizophrenic movie well, though martial arts fans will probably be bored by the message scenes and those who lean toward the sentiment will probably be appalled by the excessive violence.
Still, there is nothing quite like the genre-defying Unleashed and if you look close you can actually catch Li acting.
Inside AJC.COM
Holiday shopping
Realtime shopping updates for gift bargains in Metro Atlanta. See a deal? Tell everyone!
Weekend Best Bets
International Cat Show, Chante Moore, Magical Night of Lights, chef cook-offs and more!
Obama Inauguration
Travelling to D.C. on Jan. 20? Here's everything you need to know for your planning.
Cheap Travel
No need to drop big bucks. Here are 25 offerings for cruise, hotel and fall travel packages.
Top 5 in Atlanta
Skip those drive-thrus. Here are five of best places in Atlanta for a juicy hamburger.
Christmas House
The 2008 edition, with its garlands and wreaths, benefits Alliance Children's Theater.
From the Blogs
-
Radio & TV Talk
-
Movie Talk
-
Atlanta Music Scene
-
ATL Arts
Table Talk
-
American Idol Buzz
11/21: Phil Stacey loses label deal, Kristy Lee Cook begging for recognition
-
Chatter
Best Bets: Indie Folk, Unusual Gifts and the Return of the "Santaland" Elf
-
Misadventures in Atlanta
-
Peach Buzz
-
Social Butterfly
-
Best of the Big A
-
The Newcomer
Best of the Big A
-
Current nominations
-
Current voting
-
Latest winner




