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'Unleashed': Sentimental chop socky

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 'Unleashed' B The verdict: A schizophrenic, but entertaining martial arts movie grafted onto a message film pushing family values. Director: Louis Leterrier Starring: Jet Li, Morgan Freeman, Bob Hoskins, Kerry Condon, Vincent Regan Run time: 103 minutes Release date: May 13, 2005 Rating: R for strong violent content, language and some sexuality/nudity. See showtimes On the web Official movie site View the trailer    Trailers require Quicktime Rate "Unleashed"   Go see it   Make it a matinee   Wait to rent   Don't bother Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

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.