Shoot 'Em Up

Shoot 'Em Up is fast-paced and unique. It's fight sequences are far-fetched and over the top. If the film does well enough in the box office, it might have a profound effect on how action films are made in the future.

I'm not sure if this would be a good thing. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed "Shoot 'Em Up," but I felt like the storyline of the film took a backseat to the intense action. The best dialog in the film came in the form of witty, Die Hard-esque one-liners for comic relief after the action sequences. The movie just had no substance. It was a combination of good scenes, but it wasn't a good movie.

So why did I enjoy it? The movie seemed to know what it was. It didn't try to be "Citizen Kane." Director, Michael Davis, let the action take control of the movie without forcing scenes that didn't work. The film was only 80 minutes. I can't remember the last time I saw a movie that short, but I think the reason the film was so short was obvious. Davis knew what he had, exciting action sequences that didn't really fit in with a particularly good plot.

Clive Owen and Monica Belluci were fantastic, but I felt like Paul Giamatti stole the show. He was cold, but he was funny. He was ruthless, but he was almost likable. Giamatti needs to play the bad guy more often because he can make you love to hate him. Isn't that what makes a good bad guy?

If my mixed review makes you unsure of whether or not you want to go see "Shoot 'Em Up," think about the end of "Kill Bill: Volume 1" when the Bride takes on the Crazy 88. Imagine if the whole movie was like that fight scene, but extended and the entire plot of the movie was removed. Would you like it? If you would, then "Shoot 'Em Up" is for you. If not, you better hope the film doesn't do well in the box office. If it does, action movies as we know them could change forever.