Review of Unleashed (2005) by Mara P — 17 Jul 2008

Jet Li takes on quite a few lukewarm roles in Western-produced flicks but I reckon he struck gold here! In this flick he plays Dannny, a man bred to be little more than a two-legged pitbull for his "uncle" , the brutal loan-shark and East End chancer Bart (Bob Hoskins). This slavish way of life continues until events conspire to separate the pet from its owner. Introduced to an alternative way of life by a kindly blind man (Morgan Freeman) , Danny regains a sernse of autonomy, but the leash never strays too far from the neck and our hero has to face off against his past to ensure his future.

Jet Li - who seems to exude less charisma in his Occidental roles - finds himself well-cast here as the physically and psychologically-leashed Danny; the role takes his contextual llimits into account whilst allowing him to do what he consistently does well - kick an army of arses! Morgan Freeman can always be counted on to put in a solid "guiding hand performance" but is similarly not stretched here. Brit girl Kerry Condon shines brighter as Freeman's skittily endearing/annoying adoptive daughter. Of course, you have your slew of Cockney thugs to add that extra element of grit.

For me however, what elevates this flick above others of its ilk is the psychological angle, exemplified most strongly in the relationship between Danny and his "uncle" Bart; I reckon Bob Hoskins should pocket some kinda reward for his portrayal of this psychopath; he adds another layer to his usual Cockney 'ardman routine, imbuing his character with a certain carrot-and-stick menace that proves chilling. This somewhat warped character comes off as an amplification of a certain type of person all too common in society - the power-crazed prick who uses a combo of malice and manipulation to ensure domination. (He certainly reminds me of a few cocksuckers I've had to deal with!) The slither of humanity Bart displays enhances - not diminshes - his fascinating repulsiveness.

In summation, Unleashed/Danny the Dog's a more-than-competent action drama flick made all the more compelling by some interesting psychological ovetones and Hoskins' rough-and-ready, well-studied performance.