Today’s quick review: Cradle 2 the Grave. When Tony Fait (DMX) and his crew steal a shipment of diamonds, they don’t realize they are stealing from a dangerous criminal named Ling (Mark Dacascos). Ling retaliates by kidnapping Fait’s daughter, offering her life in exchange for the jewels. But when the jewels are stolen from him, Fait must work together with Su (Jet Li), a Taiwanese intelligence agent, to get them back and save his daughter.
Cradle 2 the Grave is a crime movie with plenty of action. DMX stars as Tony Fait, a successful thief and a devoted father who is forced to take drastic measures to get his daughter back. Jet Li co-stars as Su, a law enforcement officer who has tracked Ling and his stolen diamonds to America. Fait and Su are shallow characters with the right attitude: they are there to take care of business.
Cradle 2 the Grave’s greatest strength is its action. None of the stunts are groundbreaking, but they are enough to make the movie entertaining. Jet Li shows off a few neat martial arts tricks, such as winning fights with his hands in his pockets. For his part, DMX manages to be a competent brawler in a movie that avoids having too many guns. Cradle 2 the Grave lacks the vision of a top-notch action movie, but it does manage to satisfy.
As for the rest of the movie, Cradle 2 the Grave avoids any major missteps. The plot has enough steps to flesh out the movie without feeling too complicated. The dialogue and acting are just good enough to keep the movie rolling without any major distractions, although the comic relief characters might annoy some viewers. Those expecting real quality will be disappointed; those looking for a typical action movie will be able to roll with it.
Cradle 2 the Grave is a good pick for action fans looking to unwind. Though far from the top of its genre, Cradle 2 the Grave is a fun popcorn flick that delivers what it promises. Skip it if you aren’t a fan of action for its own sake. For a crime movie with a similar attitude, more comedy, and a better script, check out Bad Boys II.
5.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for good action and a fun attitude.