War (2007 film)

Last updated
War
Warposter.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Philip G. Atwell
Written byLee Anthony Smith
Gregory J. Bradley
Produced bySteve Chasman
Christopher Petzel
Jim Thompson
Starring Jet Li
Jason Statham
John Lone
Devon Aoki
Luis Guzmán
Saul Rubinek
Ryo Ishibashi
Sung Kang
Mathew St. Patrick
Nadine Velazquez
Cinematography Pierre Morel
Edited byScott Richter
Music by Brian Tyler
Production
companies
Lionsgate
Fierce Entertainment
Mosaic Media Group
Distributed byLionsgate
Release date
  • August 24, 2007 (2007-08-24)
Running time
103 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguagesEnglish
Cantonese
Japanese
Mandarin
Budget$25 million [1]
Box office$40.7 million [1]

War is a 2007 American action thriller film directed by Philip G. Atwell in his directorial debut and featuring stage combat choreographed by Corey Yuen. The film stars Jet Li and Jason Statham, and was released in the United States on August 24, 2007. War features the second collaboration between Jet Li and Jason Statham, reuniting them for the first time since 2001 film The One . Jason Statham plays an FBI agent determined to take down a mysterious assassin known as Rogue (played by Jet Li), after his partner is murdered.

Contents

War's working title was Rogue, it was changed to avoid conflict with another film with the same name. It was re-titled as Rogue Assassin in New Zealand, [2] Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Australia, the Philippines and several European countries.

Plot

During a shootout against Japanese yakuza at a San Francisco dock warehouse, FBI agents John Crawford and Tom Lone stumble across the notorious assassin Rogue, a former CIA assassin who now works for the Japanese yakuza.

Rogue ambushes Crawford and is about to execute him when Lone appears and shoots him in the face, causing him to fall into the water. Rogue's body was never found and he is presumed dead. However, Rogue survives and retaliates against Lone, his wife and his daughter. He kills them, burns down the house, and leaves their three corpses in the ashes of their home.

Three years later, Rogue re-appears, working under Chinese Triad boss Li Chang. While working with Chang, he secretly instigates a war between the Triads and the yakuza, led by Shiro Yanagawa. Rogue first attacks a club run by the yakuza by killing the gangsters and later on the runners in order to recover a pair of antique gold horses, Chang's family heirlooms.

Now the head agent of the FBI's Asian Organised Crime Unit, Crawford is determined to hunt Rogue down and exact revenge for Lone's death. Crawford's obsessive pursuit of him has taken a toll on his personal life causing him to be estranged from his family. He comes close to catching Rogue in the wake of his various killing sprees against the Triads and yakuza, but he always manages to stay one step ahead.

Ultimately, Rogue's actions have gained the trust of both Chang and Yanagawa. He succeeds in killing Chang, but spares Chang's wife and child, turning on the yakuza. With Chang dead, Yanagawa appears in America, intending to expand his business operations. However, he is confronted by Crawford and the FBI; although Crawford presents Yanagawa with proof that Rogue has betrayed him and spared Chang's family, he refuses to assist him in locating Rogue.

Later, Rogue delivers the horses to Yanagawa personally, who turns around and demands the location of Chang's family. Rogue kills all of Yanagawa's men, then engages in a sword fight against Yanagawa himself. Yanagawa discovers he is not the real Rogue, who was killed when attempting to assassinate Lone. He is in fact Lone, who in turn surgically altered himself to assume the assassin's identity.

Lone reveals that his actions have all been designed to bring him face-to-face with Yanagawa, to kill the man who ordered the death of his family. Yanagawa reveals that Crawford had been in his pocket that whole time and responsible for leaking Tom Lone's identity and home address to the real Rogue. Angered, Lone disarms and decapitates Yanagawa.

Meanwhile, Chang's wife receives a package from Lone, containing one of the two golden horses that belongs to Chang's family and a message reading, "Make a new life". Yanagawa's daughter also receives a package with the same message and inside the box is her father's head. Lone then calls Crawford as he is packing up his office, asking him to meet him at the dock warehouse where they last made their investigation. Before going to the warehouse, Crawford enlists the help of FBI sniper Goi that aided Crawford throughout the investigation.

At the warehouse, Crawford and Lone battle each other in an intense hand-to-hand fight in which Lone reveals his true identity to Crawford. Devastated, Crawford reveals that it was true that he was working for Yanagawa at the time but had no idea that Rogue was still alive. He was then blackmailed into giving Lone's address to Yanagawa thinking that Yanagawa's men were only going there to "rough him up a bit". Ever since, Crawford was angry at himself and wanted revenge against Rogue and those involved in what he thought was his partner's death.

Crawford asks for forgiveness, but Lone refuses. Crawford jumps in front of Goi’s line of sight to prevent a kill shot. Lone then shoots Crawford in the back, killing him. The next day, Lone drives out of town to start a new life.

Cast

Reception

Box office

War opened on August 24, 2007, with $9.8 million from 2,277 theaters, a $4,312 average. [3] As of December 2007, the film grossed $22.5 million in the United States and $18.2 million in international box offices, totaling $40.7 million. DVD sales totaled $28 million. [1]

Critical response

Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 13% and an average rating of 3.90/10 based on reviews from 60 critics. The website's "Critics Consensus" for the film reads, "Jet Li and Jason Statham find themselves on opposing sides in the immensely boring War, which is full of clichés but short on action." [4] On Metacritic the film has a score of 36 out of 100, based on reviews from 15 critics. [5] Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film a grade B. [6]

Paul Semel of Premiere wrote, "War is like Statham's other actioners The Transporter and Crash -- fun, but not big or dumb enough to be glorious." [7] Joe Leydon of Variety magazine wrote "Quickly devolves into a standard-issue crime drama laced with routine martial artistry." [8]

In 2014, Time Out polled several film critics, directors, actors and stunt actors to list their top action films. War was listed at the 93rd place on this list. [9]

Soundtrack

War
Soundtrack album by
Brian Tyler
ReleasedAugust 21, 2007
Length65:09
Label Lionsgate Records

The soundtrack was composed by Brian Tyler. The additional music is by RZA, Mark Batson and Machines of Loving Grace.

  1. "Spyked" – 2:31
  2. "War Opening Titles" – 5:05
  3. "Confession" – 3:05
  4. "Rooftop Pursuit" – 1:44
  5. "Whips" – 2:14
  6. "Swordfight" – 5:16
  7. RZA – "Rogue Cleans Da Hizouse" – 2:15
  8. "Getting Started / Scene of the Crime" – 2:51
  9. Mark Batson – "The Set Up / Mr. Chang Sends Regards" – 2:36
  10. "Shiro Comes to Town" – 3:55
  11. "Bangkok Downtown" – 2:18
  12. "This Isn't Japan" – 2:16
  13. "Cop Hunting / Face to Face" – 2:42
  14. Mark Batson – "Compliments of Mr. Chang" – 0:36
  15. "Rogue's Revenge" – 1:09
  16. "Showdown" – 2:49
  17. "Plans for Retaliation" – 4:00
  18. "Watching the Changes" – 0:45
  19. "Shiro's Estate" – 2:33
  20. "War End Credits" – 5:31
  21. Machines of Loving Grace – " King" – 4:04
  22. "War Opening Titles (Remix)" – 4:54

Related Research Articles

<i>The One</i> (2001 film) 2001 film by James Wong

The One is a 2001 American science-fiction action film directed by James Wong, written by Wong and Glen Morgan, and starring Jet Li, Delroy Lindo, Carla Gugino, and Jason Statham, with action choreography by Corey Yuen.

<i>Rush Hour 2</i> 2001 film by Brett Ratner

Rush Hour 2 is a 2001 American buddy action comedy film directed by Brett Ratner and written by Jeff Nathanson, based on the characters created by Ross LaManna. A sequel to Rush Hour, it is the second installment in the Rush Hour franchise and stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker reprising their roles from the first film. The story follows Chief Inspector Lee (Chan) and LAPD Detective James Carter (Tucker), who go to Hong Kong on vacation only to be thwarted by a murder case involving two U.S. customs agents after a bombing at the American embassy. Lee suspects that the crime is linked to the Triad crime lord Ricky Tan (Lone).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Statham</span> English actor (born 1967)

Jason Statham is an English actor. He is known for portraying characters in various action-thriller films who are typically tough, gritty, or violent. Statham has been credited for leading the resurgence of action films during the 2000s and 2010s. His film career through 2017 generated over $1.5 billion in ticket sales, making him one of the film industry's most bankable stars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Lone</span> American actor

John Lone is a Chinese-American actor. He starred as Puyi in the Academy Award-winning film The Last Emperor (1987), for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.

<i>Romeo Must Die</i> 2000 film by Andrzej Bartkowiak

Romeo Must Die is a 2000 American action film directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak in his directorial debut and features fight choreography by Corey Yuen. The film stars Jet Li, Aaliyah, Isaiah Washington, Russell Wong, DMX and Delroy Lindo. The film marks Aaliyah's only film that was released during her lifetime before she was killed in a plane crash a year later. The plot is loosely related to William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, transplanted to contemporary Oakland with Black-American and Chinese-American gangs representing the feuding families.

<i>Shanghai Grand</i> 1996 Hong Kong film

Shanghai Grand, also known as Shanghai Grand 1996 to differentiate this film from the more illustrious 1980 television series of the same Chinese title, is a 1996 Hong Kong action crime drama film directed by Poon Man-kit and starring Andy Lau, Leslie Cheung, and Ning Jing.

<i>Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever</i> 2002 film by Wych Kaosayananda

Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever is a 2002 action thriller film directed by Wych Kaosayananda. The film stars Antonio Banderas and Lucy Liu as opposing secret agents who team up to fight a common enemy. It is an international co-production among Canada, Germany and the United States.

<i>Fair Game</i> (1995 film) 1995 American film

Fair Game is a 1995 American action thriller film directed by Andrew Sipes. It stars Cindy Crawford as family law attorney Kate McQuean and William Baldwin as police officer Max Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick ends up on the run to protect McQuean when she is targeted for murder by ex-members of the KGB with interests in a ship owned by a Cuban man who may lose it in a divorce case being pursued by McQuean. Written by Charlie Fletcher, Fair Game is based on Paula Gosling's 1974 novel A Running Duck, which was previously adapted into the 1986 film Cobra.

<i>The Art of War</i> (film) 2000 Canadian-American film by Christian Duguay

The Art of War is a 2000 action spy film directed by Christian Duguay and starring Wesley Snipes, Michael Biehn, Anne Archer and Donald Sutherland. It is the first installment in The Art of War film series. The film's title refers to the ancient Chinese text of the same name by war strategist Sun Tzu. The film was followed by two direct-to-video sequels, The Art of War II: Betrayal and The Art of War III: Retribution. The latter did not feature Snipes.

<i>Into the Sun</i> (2005 film) 2005 film

Into the Sun is a 2005 action film directed by Christopher Morrison and starring Steven Seagal, Matthew Davis, Takao Osawa, Eddie George, Juliette Marquis, and William Atherton.

<i>Versus</i> (2000 film) 2000 zombie film by Ryuhei Kitamura

Versus is a 2000 Japanese zombie action film directed and co-written by Ryuhei Kitamura. The film was an independent co–production between Kitamura's company Napalm Films and Wevco Production in association with KSS and Suplex. In the film, a nameless prisoner, a nameless female and her Yakuza abductors fend off zombies in a forest that resurrects the dead while the Yakuza's mysterious leader attempts to open a supernatural gate hidden within the forest and seize its dark power.

<i>Crank</i> (film) 2006 American action film

Crank is a 2006 American action film written and directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor in their directorial debuts. It stars Jason Statham, Amy Smart and Jose Pablo Cantillo. The title of the film comes from a slang word for methamphetamine. In the film, Chev Chelios, a Los Angeles–based hitman, is poisoned by the mafia and must keep his adrenaline flowing constantly in order to keep himself alive, while he tries to track down the man who poisoned him.

<i>High Risk</i> (1995 film) 1995 Hong Kong film

High Risk is a 1995 Hong Kong action comedy film written, produced and directed by Wong Jing and starring Jet Li, Jacky Cheung, Chingmy Yau, Charlie Yeung and Yang Chung-hsien. Corey Yuen serves as the film's fight choreographer.

<i>Hitman</i> (1998 film) 1998 Hong Kong film

Hitman, is a 1998 Hong Kong action film directed by Stephen Tung. The film stars Jet Li, Eric Tsang, Simon Yam and Gigi Leung. The film was released on 3 April 1998.

<i>Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon</i> 1977 Japanese film

Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon is a 1977 Japanese-language action thriller film starring Sonny Chiba as the international assassin Golgo 13. It is the second live-action movie based on the manga series Golgo 13, after the eponymous 1973 Japanese–Iranian film starring Ken Takakura.

<i>Dead or Alive 2: Birds</i> 2000 Japanese film

Dead or Alive 2: Birds is a 2000 Japanese film directed by Takashi Miike. Dead or Alive 2: Birds is unrelated to Dead or Alive (1999) or Dead or Alive: Final (2002) except that all three films have Show Aikawa and Riki Takeuchi in them, and they are all directed by Takashi Miike.

<i>Crying Freeman</i> (film) 1995 French film

Crying Freeman is a 1995 action film, based on the manga of the same name by Kazuo Koike and Ryoichi Ikegami. It is directed and co-written by Christophe Gans in his solo directorial debut and stars Mark Dacascos in the title role, a brainwashed assassin for a Triad secret society, who sheds a tear for every victim he kills. Tchéky Karyo, Julie Condra, Byron Mann, Masaya Kato, Yoko Shimada, and Mako play supporting roles.

<i>Smokin Aces 2: Assassins Ball</i> 2010 Canadian film

Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' Ball is a 2010 action thriller film directed by P.J. Pesce and starring Tom Berenger, Vinnie Jones, Tommy Flanagan, Autumn Reeser, Keegan Connor Tracy, and Ernie Hudson. The film is a prequel to Joe Carnahan's 2006 film Smokin' Aces, centering on an FBI desk jockey who is targeted for murder by various hired assassins. It was produced by Working Title Films, and was released direct-to-video on January 19, 2010, by Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

<i>Safe</i> (2012 film) 2012 American action thriller film

Safe is a 2012 American action thriller film written and directed by Boaz Yakin, produced by Lawrence Bender, Dana Brunetti and Joseph Zolfo and starring Jason Statham, Chris Sarandon, Robert John Burke and James Hong. In the film, Luke Wright (Statham) is an ex-cop and former cage fighter who winds up protecting a gifted child being chased by the Russian mafia, Chinese Triads, and corrupt NYPD officers.

<i>The Man from Toronto</i> (2022 film) 2022 film by Patrick Hughes

The Man from Toronto is a 2022 American action comedy film directed by Patrick Hughes. The film stars Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson, Kaley Cuoco, Jasmine Mathews, Lela Loren, Pierson Fodé, Jencarlos Canela, and Ellen Barkin.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "War (2007) - Financial Information". The Numbers . Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  2. ↑ Rudkin, Francesca (2008-02-14). "Rogue Assassin". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2011-02-24.
  3. ↑ "WAR". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2011-02-24.
  4. ↑ "War (Rogue Assassin)". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  5. ↑ "War". Metacritic. 2007.
  6. ↑ "WAR (2007)". CinemaScore . Archived from the original on February 6, 2018.
  7. ↑ Semel, Paul (August 27, 2007). "War". Premiere Magazine. Archived from the original on October 20, 2007.
  8. ↑ Leydon, Joe (August 24, 2007). "War". Variety.
  9. ↑ "The 100 best action movies". Time Out . Retrieved November 7, 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.