Review of Shoot 'Em Up (2007) by Ryan M — 25 Aug 2011

8.4/10.

I'm no grouch when it comes to entertainment at the sacrifice of real characters of a compelling story; and this is precisely why I'm able to accept films as ridiculous, absurd, loud, and violent as "Shoot 'Em Up"; which is like a hyper violent lost episode of Bugs Bunny on crack. It's fast-paced and should be the perfect antidote for genre fans, because most action movies are either too restrained or not preposterous enough; they just don't cross the lines that this one does. You've already got a really fun ride as it is, but throw in an all-star cast, each member of it used to their best ability (as far as the movie's tone goes), and you've got near perfection.

But that's only as far as these kinds of movies go. Great cinema this is not; great fun it is. I realize that my rating is high, but you know what; so was the entertainment value for this film. I liked the style, I liked the self-awareness of the tone, and I liked how each ridiculous, potentially offensive act served as more of a simple prop than as an abrupt moment just asking for controversy. This film has received some heavy criticism for its lack of sense, and its lack of depth, but movies like this; they don't need much of either, and in that sense, this is a pretty damn good action film.

A man known only as Smith (played by Clive Owen, the handsome devil) is just sitting at a bus stop, enjoying a nice carrot, when he witnesses a man chasing a pregnant woman into a dark alley. He follows them and stops the man from killing the lady, shoving what's left of his carrot through the man's pie-hole. Smith then proceeds to shoot the living hell out of many other men, all while giving birth to the child of the pregnant woman, and sure enough, since this film needs us to know just how wild and ridiculous it is, this is a grand success; but the woman is shot, and Smith takes the baby.

One of his attackers, Hertz (Paul Giamatti) presumably wanted the child, and we learn that the man who got a carrot inserted through his mouth and at the other end was indeed one of his men. Smith, of course, knows this; and Hertz wants him dead. This is why to take care of the baby; he needs a lady with him. He confronts Donna (Monica Bellucci), a prostitute, to help him care for the young child; and this begins the grand journey through insanity.

In a sense, people have claimed that "Shoot 'Em Up" is like "live action Bugs Bunny". I get what they mean; Smith is Bugs, chewing on his carrots throughout and at one moment even saying that famous line ("what's up doc?), while Hertz is Elmer Fudd. Whether this was really where the inspiration came from or not doesn't matter to me so much; I just care that the comparison between the two is funny.

Screw story; screw characters. This is an absurdist action flick, and it's damn proud of it. I enjoyed it as much as I possibly could, and as it turned out, it's possible to like it a lot. "Shoot 'Em Up" is not traditional action fare, but neither is it reminiscent of most modern action films. It could be described as vile and tasteless, but that's precisely the point. I was forgiving; the film was well-made. It's not quite Grindhouse-esque action, but it reminded me of those classic exploitation film, since there's no message, no moral, no nothing; just a lot of blood, guts, and style.

But consider this; the film is also well-acted by its three stars, and the writing isn't actually THAT bad. Sure, I said it lacks depth; but what action movie does not? This is no classic, I accept that fact; but I had a LOT of fun with this movie. It's pure movie-making, and for its genre, I thought it was spectacular. It's just plain bad-ass, and if you like Clive Owen, Paul Giamatti, or a nice, sleazy, over-the-top action flick in which just about everything is possible, then I say; why not. No questions asked, this is the movie for you. It's vulgar, crass, and yes; stupid. But that's all a part of the charm.