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A Fistfull of Bullets

by Scott Mantz

“Shoot ‘Em Up”
Starring: Clive Owen, Monica Bellucci, Paul Giamatti
Directed by: Michael Davis

“I’m a British nanny, and I’m dangerous.” --Mr. Smith (Clive Owen), “Shoot ‘Em Up”

The title pretty much says it all in “Shoot 'Em Up,” an over-the-top thrill ride that delivers the explosive goods in a big, loud, fun way. That’s not to say that it’s for everybody — clearly, it isn’t — but if stylish action scenes, hyper-violent shootouts, excessive carnage and an exceptionally high body count are your cup of tea, then “Shoot 'Em Up” fires on all cylinders. Try to imagine John Woo’s classic “Hardboiled” on steroids, and you get the idea.

Clive Owen plays Mr. Smith, a scruffy, angry, cynical loner who literally finds himself caught in the crossfire between an innocent newborn child and Hertz (Paul Giamatti), a heartless hitman who wants the baby dead. Smith teams up with a beautiful prostitute (Monica Bellucci) to help him keep the baby alive, but with Hertz’s gang of well-armed assailants attacking them on all sides, Smith has to rely on his killer instincts to keep them out of harm’s way.

“Shoot ‘Em Up” starts off with, well, a bang, but writer-director Michael Davis comes up with clever ways to sustain that energy for the duration of its 93-minute running time. Normally, action flicks that peak early tend to have a numbing effect on moviegoers, but Davis keeps it engaging, entertaining and funny by pushing the boundaries of inventive action (and, some might say, bad taste) with each passing scene. The results become increasingly far-fetched, but it’s so outrageous to begin with, you just have to go with it.

And in perhaps the film’s most obvious nod to the twisted violence inspired by the Looney Tunes cartoons, Clive Owen — saving babies once again after last year’s “Children of Men” — effortlessly plays the carrot-chomping bad-ass who comes up with proficient ways to hold off the bad guys while delivering a baby, skydiving and making love to the voluptuous Monica Bellucci. And as Hertz, Paul Giamatti seems to relish playing the chief villain who has no scruples whatsoever.

Those looking for proof that certain movies glorify violence will most likely find their calling card with “Shoot ‘Em Up,” but then again, they’re probably not the audience for this anyway. Besides, it’s far too outrageous to be taken seriously on any level. If anything, you have to admire a director like Michael Davis for proudly displaying his flair for bad taste like a badge of honor, and the result is an action thriller that’s slick, stylish, sexy and very funny. The summer may be over, but judging by “Shoot ‘Em Up,” the fall is already off to an explosive start.

VERDICT: SEE IT!

Copyright 2009 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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