Shoot 'Em Up (2007)

One of my all time favorites.

brilliant actors, brilliant editing

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

Apparently this movie has been receiving conflicting reviews - peculiar because I think it's ruddy great! The entire film is very obviously tongue-in-cheek, yet semi-serious in content and violence. Massively over the top in pretty much every scene, the characters and actors cast as them were brilliant. Clive Owen was perfect, I really think he would make a superb James Bond. Paul Giamatti is my favourite actor/person so it goes without saying that he stole the show. As for Monica Belluci, I think she's a great actor and pardon me but she's god damn sexy as hell in my male, red-blooded opinion. I thought they all gelled in their roles and I enjoyed every minute of it. More like this please.

Sorry, but I'm giving this a 2. The plot seems right out of the politically motivated mind of anti-2nd amendment hack, Michael Bloomberg. ...complete with all the clichés you'd expect from a foaming at the mouth leftist. The irony is despite the non-stop anti-gun rhetoric, it's a good guy with a gun that saves the day. If you have a strong stomach for political tripe, and if you liked Sin City's over the top comic book style you might be entertained.. I was not. The villains were unbelievable as were the heroes...I couldn't wait for it to be over.

Shoot 'em Up (2007): Dir: Michael Davis / Cast: Clive Owen, Paul Giamatti, Monica Bellucci, Stephen McHattie, Greg Bryk: Title pretty much sums up the potential of this dead beat action crap. Clive Owen plays a hit-man of sorts under the name Mr. Smith who intervenes when a group of men are pursuing a pregnant woman. He delivers her baby while dispatching every thug within reach. She still ends up dead but he finds a prostitute to assist in looking after the kid. Then it is more bang, bang, bang, bang, bang! Director Michael Davis can film action but the screenplay is one big piece of sh*t. A third grader can write better stories than this. Owen is unsympathetic especially seeing him kill someone using a carrot. Does it not occur to him to eat it? Now they're using items in the produce section in the grocery store to assassinate people. Lord forbid he show up on the scene with a fully stocked picnic basket. Perhaps we may see action films heading our way that present cooking show hosts as action stars. Paul Giamatti steals scenes as the villain who is often interrupted with phone calls from his wife. How this is settled is a cheap laugh but at least Giamatti puts in an effort. Monica Bellucci looks stunning as a prostitute but does little more than flee the scene. She should have fled to the set of a better film. Action scenes are well done but it should be used as target practice. Score: 2 ½ / 10

Shoot 'Em Up delivers on what is sets out to be, a high octane action thrill ride, and it is exactly that. Simply by reading the plot synopsis or viewing trailers, one can see exactly how this film would turn out. Right from the very scene where we see a mysterious lady running while being chased by a criminal, with Smith (Clive Owen) sitting by the bus stop bench, we can already sense the action that this film will bring.Bringing a lot of great action sequences including a running gag with Smith using carrots to project his guns, and car chases and constant shooting scenes. The characters work here, and the film doesn't take itself as serious which is why it is entertaining. From the gimmicky over the top villain (Paul Giamatti), to the calm and collected lead (Clive Owen), to the lead female sidekick (Monica Bellucci). There is some clever humor coming from both Giamatti and Owen, including their final showdown towards the end where they go back and forth with one another.What I also enjoyed about Shoot 'Em Up is the runtime. In many action films, they tend to drag on quite a bit to include unnecessary scenes, but in Shoot 'Em Up the film is relatively short and it does not drag on. Although the film has a very minimal plot, it is thick on action. Protecting the newborn baby was a great twist.Memorable scenes would include: Smith shooting a dozen of men while going in a downward spiral of stairs (around 33:30), Smith killing another villain while injecting a carrot through his eyes (39:38), Smith being chased upon by several men then him landing in their van eventually killing 10+ of them (58:50). Recommend Shoot 'Em Up for those who enjoy high constant brainless action films.