X-sections
Dutch
The Editor
e-mail Reggy!
|
|
Movie: Unleashed (aka Danny the Dog)
Director: Louis Leterrier
Actors: Jet Li, Morgan Freeman, Bob Hoskins, Kerry Condon
|
|
Unleashed is Jet Li's second collaboration with Luc Besson, they also worked together on Kiss of the Dragon. Besson acted as writer and producer of both movies, Louis Leterrier directed Unleashed and previously made The Transporter for Besson. Unleashed presents a different Jet Li than we're used to, but it fortunately also offers plenty of fight sequences, choreographed by master Yuen Woo-Ping. Unleashed is supported by a very interesting cast, including Bob Hoskins and none other than Morgan Freeman. First...
The story in a nutshell:
Bart (Bob Hoskins) is a low-life gangster from Glasgow who collects money with his extortion techniques. His bodyguard, Danny (Jet Li), assists when clients refuse to pay. Bart raised Danny and treats him like a dog, locks him up in a cage, feeds him with leftovers and even makes him wear a collar. But as soon as the collar comes off, Danny transforms into a wild and brutal killer who only listens to the orders of his boss.
Danny comes in contact with a blind piano tuner Sam (Morgan Freeman) who teaches Danny more about the world and being human. Danny wants to learn but must find a way to free himself from his dangerous boss.
Unleashed kicks off with a brutal, bone-breaking fight. We get to see Jet Li as a wild, mad dog that slams his opponent against the ground. The fights are fresh and gritty, with less martial arts moves and the overused wire-fu. The opening sequence sets the tone of a different kind of Jet Li film, not only the style of the fight scenes but Jet Li challenges himself as an actor. Jet Li is moving as the innocent, abused but also dangerous Danny. He breathes life into his character using just a few lines and without relying on the fancy martial arts moves. However, Bob Hoskins performance is a bit over the top. Bart is your typical gangster in a white suit with a big mouth who's screen time becomes pretty irritating after a while. Just like Victoria, Sam's stepdaughter played by Kerry Condon. She's your typical fast-talking teenager, whilst the actress is obviously a bit too old for the part. Fortunately, Morgan Freeman keeps everything under control with his excellent performance. His presence is enough to create magic. Morgan Freeman's scenes with Jet Li are moving and keep the film interesting, and of course it's also fantastic to see Jet Li go wild and kick some serious ass during the brutal fights.
Unleashed, I prefer Danny the Dog though, is despite its somewhat predictable story a different kind of Jet Li film, in a positive way that is. And a martial arts film with Jet Li starring opposite Morgan Freeman is reason enough to leave the dog at home and make a trip to the nearest movie theatre.
Written by Reggy 09/05/05
|
|
