Sleight of Film

Today’s quick review: Superman: Doomsday. Superman (Adam Baldwin) meets his match when Lex Luthor (James Marsters) unearths Doomsday, an invincible alien bent on absolute destruction. Superman stops the creature at the cost of his own life, leaving Lois Lane (Anne Heche) in mourning and Metropolis unprotected. But when Superman seemingly returns from the dead with a new, violent personality, it falls to Lois to investigate what’s going on.

DC Comics brings another of its comics to the screen with Superman: Doomsday, an animated superhero movie loosely based on The Death of Superman. The movie depicts Superman’s last stand and its aftermath, emphasizing the impact has on his girlfriend Lois Lane and his nemesis Lex Luthor. Superman: Doomsday features high-stakes action and a decent mystery, but neither its character work nor its sense of drama take full advantage of the setup.

Superman: Doomsday gets the basics of the story right. The fight with Doomsday is suitably cataclysmic, a distilled version of the city-threatening brawls Superman is known for. Luthor’s schemes are a useful hook going into the second half of the movie. Lois carries a lot of the narrative weight, both acting as the emotional heart of the story and driving the investigation into Superman’s reappearance.

However, Superman: Doomsday makes a few mistakes that keep it from hitting as hard as it could. The setup is rushed, with only time for a couple of character introductions before Doomsday reaches Metropolis. The balance of the story is peculiar, with the biggest fight up front. Finally, Superman himself does not have as much personality as some of his other incarnations, and his muted reactions undermine some of the drama.

How much you get out of Superman: Doomsday will depend on your taste in superhero movies. Fans of clean storytelling with the classic versions of the characters will enjoy it the most. But fans who prefer more stylized versions of the characters or more emotionally laden drama may find that the movie is missing the spark it needs.

For a more complete adaptation of the same comics storyline, try The Death of Superman and Reign of the Supermen. For an animated Superman movie that deals with similar themes, try Superman vs. the Elite.

[7.0 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0934706/). I give it a 6.5 for a decent story that’s missing some punch.

Today’s quick review: Green Lantern: First Flight. Hal Jordan (Christopher Meloni), a cocky test pilot, finds a higher calling when he is chosen to become a Green Lantern, part of an alien police force that keeps the universe safe from a variety of threats. Training under Sinestro (Victor Garber), one of the top Lanterns, Hal’s skills are put to the test when he learns that Sinestro is planning to betray the Green Lantern Corps.

Green Lantern: First Flight is an animated superhero movie based on the DC Comics character. The movie tells the origins of Hal Jordan as the Green Lantern, as well as introducing the audience to the Green Lantern Corps and longtime villain Sinestro. First Flight is a fairly basic adaptation of the source material, but dynamic animation, a well-developed setting, and some good moments for Hal will make it an enjoyable watch for superhero fans.

First and foremost, Green Lantern: First Flight gets the basics of Hal’s story right. It glosses over the details of his life on Earth and skips some of the finer points of his powers, but it embraces both his fearless attitude and the wide swath of the Universe he is assigned to protect. Hal also has a nice character progression, advancing from unskilled rookie to respected leader largely on his own merits.

Other aspects of the movie are a mixed bag. The dynamic animation style lends itself to action scenes quite nicely, but the cartoonish alien designs would be more at home in Osmosis Jones or Men in Black than the DC Universe. The plot has almost nothing to do with Hal’s civilian identity or his life on Earth. And while Sinestro makes for a fine villain, the story could have benefited from a complementary external threat.

Green Lantern: First Flight is a solid pick for fans of the superhero genre and a worthy introduction to the character of Hal Jordan. The main points against the movie are its miscalibrated aliens and the repetition of a story DC fans should already be familiar with. But for anyone willing to put up with these minor quibbles, First Flight offers a healthy mixture of spacefaring action, sci-fi world-building, and heroic character development.

For a live-action take on the same basic story, try Green Lantern, starring Ryan Reynolds. For a different variation on the character’s origin, try Justice League: The New Frontier. For a sci-fi anime adventure with some of the same feel, check out Space Adventure Cobra. For a more down-to-earth crime drama about a rookie cop with a corrupt mentor, try Training Day.

[7.1 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1384590/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for good fundamentals.

Today’s quick review: Justice League: The New Frontier. In the 1950s, heroes like Superman (Kyle MacLachlan), Wonder Woman (Lucy Lawless), and Batman (Jeremy Sisto) contend with a public that distrusts them and a government that keeps them on a short leash. As a new generation of heroes searches for its place in an increasingly hostile world, a series of cryptic clues point to the arrival of an immensely powerful being known as the Center.

Justice League: The New Frontier is an animated superhero movie that reimagines the DC Universe against the backdrop of the 1950s. Characters like Hal Jordan (David Boreanaz), Barry Allen (Neil Patrick Harris), and John Jones (Miguel Ferrer) wrestle with the scars of war, government secrets, and the barbs of a skeptical public. This ambitious premise yields rich characters and a broad world but comes at the cost of a fragmented plot.

The New Frontier has a few points in its favor. The historical setting opens up some interesting conflicts, testing the characters in ways that they rarely have been. The selection of characters complements the themes of the movie nicely; the origins of Green Lantern, Flash, and Martian Manhunter play into the tensions between idealism and disappointing reality. All of this gives the movie a deeper set of ideas than many superhero adventures.

However, these elements come with a price. The New Frontier has a loosely connected story that has a hard time balancing its large cast. Mainstays like Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman dip in and out, while the new crop of heroes takes a long time to see any action. To make matters worse, the central mystery is a weak one. There is little the heroes can do to prepare for the Center, and when it arrives, it ends up being a blunt instrument.

How much you get out of Justice League: The New Frontier will depend on how willing you are to follow it down winding paths. The number of characters and the odd way the movie uses them can make the story difficult to follow, even for dedicated DC fans, and the movie has trouble weaving its ideas into a satisfying whole. But viewers willing to overlook these issues will get something out of its themes and character work.

For a somewhat darker superhero movie with a 20th-century setting and similar themes, try Watchmen or Superman: Red Son. For a family superhero adventure that looks at the relationship between superheroes and the people they protect, check out The Incredibles.

[6.9 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0902272/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for engaging ideas attached to a peculiar plot.

Today’s quick review: Justice Society: World War II. The Flash (Matt Bomer) is bewildered when he’s transported back in time to World War II. There he meets the Justice Society, a secret team of superheroes led by Wonder Woman (Stana Katic) that is helping America fight Nazi Germany. As the Flash tries to figure out how he was sent there, the Justice Society attempts to decode a message that holds the key to stopping the Nazis’ latest plan.

Justice Society: World War II is an animated superhero movie based on DC Comics characters. The movie follows the Flash, a modern-day superhero, as he goes back in time to visit the Justice Society, the World War II predecessor of the Justice League. The movie scores points with its colorful action and expansive universe. However, the weak backbone and mediocre payoff of the story make it a step down from DC’s best animated offerings.

The main strength of Justice Society: World War II lies with its cast of lesser-known heroes. Characters like Hawkman (Omid Abtahi), Hourman (Matthew Mercer), Black Canary (Elysia Rotaru), and the original Flash (Armen Taylor) provide a nice change of pace from DC’s usual lineup. Their character development is not as subtle as it could be, but their interactions are enjoyable enough, and their different powers help vary the action scenes.

Unfortunately, Justice Society: World War II lacks a strong backbone to support it. The initial hook of Barry Allen traveling back in time works well enough, but after that the story quickly loses momentum. Barry tags along on a series of Justice Society missions, but the mystery of why he is there is never fully addressed. Furthermore, the bookend scenes of Barry in the present are some of the weakest in the movie, dampening the story’s impact.

Justice Society: World War II is an enjoyable outing for fans of DC superheroes, but its plot leaves something to be desired. Viewers who are willing to take it as a standalone romp with a few loose ends will have some fun, but anyone hoping for top-tier character work or a satisfying mystery will be disappointed.

For a superhero origin set in the same continuity, try Superman: Man of Tomorrow. For a live-action superhero movie that takes place during a World War, try Captain America: The First Avenger or Wonder Woman. For another animated superhero movie that takes the Flash to a different world, try Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox. For an iconic superhero drama that puts a similar cast of characters through the wringer, check out Watchmen.

[6.4 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13804084/). I give it a 6.5 for a decent setup with weak follow-through.

Today’s quick review: Batman: Soul of the Dragon. Richard Dragon (Mark Dacascos) contacts his friend Bruce Wayne (David Giuntoli), now a crime-fighter in Gotham, to help him hunt down the snake cult Kobra. Richard and Bruce reunite with Lady Shiva (Kelly Hu) and Ben Turner (Michael Jai White), fellow students of martial arts master O-Sensei (James Hong), to stop the cult from summoning the Naga, a demon that wants to take over the world.

Batman: Soul of the Dragon is an animated fantasy action movie based on DC Comics characters. The movie expands upon Bruce’s martial arts training and embroils him and his allies in a battle for the fate of the world. Soul of the Dragon features a 70s setting that pays tribute to the kung fu movies of that era, as well as an original variation on Bruce’s backstory. However, weak villains and a misused lead make the movie a mixed bag.

Strangely enough, Soul of the Dragon is handicapped by the fact that it is a Batman movie. With his background in martial arts and mysticism, Batman should be a natural fit for the story. However, Soul of the Dragon chooses to sideline Bruce in favor of his fellow students, particularly Richard. The few parts of the movie where Bruce is in costume feel forced, and nearly every major moment in the movie belongs to someone else.

This awkwardness hamstrings what could be an engaging story. The plot is different enough from Batman’s usual fare that it breathes new life into the franchise. The supporting cast scores solid hits with Richard, Shiva, and Ben, skilled fighters with distinct personalities and fighting styles. The backstory of their training under O-Sensei manages to be intriguing, and while the action isn’t groundbreaking, it gets the job done.

However, Soul of the Dragon is dealt another blow by weak villains. The snake cult Kobra has very little that sets it apart, and the movie drops its attempts to build up the cult’s leader, Jeffrey Burr (Josh Keaton), into a James Bond-style supervillain almost immediately. Soul of the Dragon also whiffs with its 70s theming, opting for costumes and light stylization instead of fully embracing the era to draw the audience in.

Batman: Soul of the Dragon has an interesting premise, but its flaws keep it from living up to its potential. The three supporting heroes and a decent plot are enough to carry the movie through the finish line, but the bland villains, watered-down style, and uncharacteristically passive take on Batman all drag down the excitement. Fans of DC’s animated offerings may want to give it a shot, but it has little in common with Batman at his best.

For another animated Batman film that plays up the martial arts background of the character, try Batman Ninja, Batman vs Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, or Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League – Gotham City Breakout. For another action adventure movie that combines martial arts heroes with snake-themed villains, try G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra or Snake Eyes. For a spoof of the same era, try Black Dynamite.

[6.1 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12885852/). I give it a 6.5 for promising ideas with tepid execution.

Today’s quick review: Reprisal. Shaken by a robbery at his bank, bank manager Jacob (Frank Grillo) asks his neighbor James (Bruce Willis), a retired cop, to help him track down the culprit. Their investigation leads them to Gabriel (Johnathon Schaech), a criminal mastermind operating in the area. But when Jacob intervenes in Gabriel’s latest crime, he puts his wife Christina (Olivia Culpo) and daughter Sophia (Natlia Sophie Butler) at risk.

Reprisal is a budget action movie about a bank manager trying to catch the man who robbed his bank. Jacob becomes obsessed with his investigation, ignoring his wife’s concerns for his mental health as he searches for closure for the robbery he failed to stop. Reprisal has the skeleton of a decent plot, but its execution is lacking. Linear events, limited character development, and weak action all detract from what the movie is trying to do.

Reprisal suffers from issues of motivation. Jacob has no concrete reason to get involved in the hunt for Gabriel, just a vague sense of unease and the unrealistic belief that the police will blame him for the robbery. James exists as a plot device and a sounding board, egging Jacob on seemingly out of boredom. Gabriel’s motivations are fleshed out a little more, but not enough to make him a well-rounded or interesting character.

As a result, Reprisal always feels like it’s going through the motions. Jacob investigates because the movie wants him to, the clues he follows barely matter, and the movie has to bend over backwards to keep Jacob involved in the story rather than passing his information to the police. The tactics of Gabriel’s robberies are somewhat interesting, giving him a modest amount of menace, but the token action scenes they lead to undermine the effect.

Reprisal has potential but fails to live up to it. With better motivation for its characters, a greater emphasis on Jacob’s destructive obsession and its effect on his family, and sharper, more exciting shootouts and chases, Reprisal could shine. But as it stands, Reprisal is a bare-bones movie that does the minimum needed to play out its premise. Most viewers should steer clear.

For another budget action movie about a bank robbery, check out 211. For a budget action movie with some of the same feel to it, try Heist, starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Dave Bautista. For a much more engaging crime thriller about a criminal tactician, check out Inside Man or Law Abiding Citizen. For more Frank Grillo, check out Wheelman or Point Blank.

[4.3 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6547170/). I give it a 4.5 for basic action and a lackluster plot.

Today’s quick review: Unleashed. Ever since Danny (Jet Li) was a boy, his “uncle” Bart (Bob Hoskins) has raised him in captivity, treating him like an animal and using his fighting abilities to collect debts. Danny gets a taste of freedom when he meets Sam (Morgan Freeman), a blind piano tuner who takes him in and teaches him about the outside world. But when Bart comes to take Danny back, he must fight to defend his new life.

Unleashed is an action movie starring Jet Li and written by Luc Besson. The movie follows Danny, a man who knows only violence, as he seeks to leave his old life behind. Unleashed splits its time between the ferocity of his life as an enforcer and the tenderness of his life under Sam’s care. This distinction gives the movie more emotional depth than most action movies, but flawed writing keeps it from sticking the landing.

Unleashed benefits from talented leads doing what they do best. Jet Li is given fight scenes that show off his speed and acrobatic talents, as well as some quieter scenes that show the kind heart underneath. Morgan Freeman carries the emotional side of the movie as a caring, perpetually optimistic man who gives Danny a second chance. For his part, Bob Hoskins rounds out the movie as the sneering, abusive loan shark trying to keep Danny enslaved.

Unleashed gets off to a promising start with both sides of its story, but it struggles to tie them together in a clean way. The back half of the movie suffers from weaker plot logic, scenes that retread old ground, and action scenes that are poorly justified. The spectacle is still there, but there is an awkward seam where the movie tries to graft action movie rules to a story that was heading in a more grounded direction.

Unleashed is a fine pick for fans of the aggressive side of the action genre. The role is a peculiar one for Jet Li, but he handles it with grace, and between his fighting skill and Morgan Freeman’s kindness, the movie manages to carve out a niche for itself. However, its strengths come with a cost. Fans who are looking for an action movie with a lighter tone or a movie with tighter writing may want to look elsewhere.

For an iconic Luc Besson movie about a young woman trained for violence, try La Femme Nikita. For a crime drama about a literal attack dog, try Bullet Head. For another action movie about a violent man seeking redemption, try Bangkok Dangerous, Redemption, or Man of Tai Chi. For a sentimental drama about a kind-hearted man with a developmental disability, try Rain Man.

[7.0 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0342258/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for crisp action, a heartfelt story, and slight missteps with its writing.

Today’s quick review: Romeo Must Die. Han Sing (Jet Li), the son of mob boss Ch’u Sing (Henry O), escapes from a Hong Kong prison and flies to Oakland to avenge the death of his brother Po (Jon Kit Lee). There he finds that Po’s death has strained relations between his father and Isaak O’Day (Delroy Lindo), the head of a rival operation. As Han hunts for Po’s killer, he becomes involved with Trish (Aaliyah), Isaak’s independent-minded daughter.

Romeo Must Die is an action movie starring Jet Li. A Hong Kong police officer who went to jail to protect his gangster father becomes involved in the chaos following his brother’s death. Romeo Must Die features a satisfying mixture of action and plot. The rivalry between Ch’u and Isaak, the mystery surrounding Po’s death, and an escalating series of murders give the movie plenty to work with as far as its story is concerned.

Romeo Must Die splits its action scenes between gunplay and martial arts. The firefights are typical for an American-style action movie, with the usual complement of car chases and explosions to keep things interesting. The hand-to-hand fights show a little more creativity. The stunts are not quite as impressive as in dedicated martial arts films, but the movie finds plenty of clever ways to let Jet Li show off his athletic prowess.

Romeo Must Die is a solid pick for action fans. The movie never goes beyond the conventions of its genre, but it executes them well. The plot is worth following, the action scenes are flashy and enjoyable, and Jet Li and Aaliyah make for likable leads. Anyone who’s satisfied with the action formula should give it a shot. Skip it if you are looking for down-to-earth drama or realism.

For a Jet Li action flick with a similar attitude, try War, Cradle 2 the Grave, or The One. For a more comedic action movie about a Hong Kong cop who comes to America, check out Rush Hour. For a black comedy and action movie that features a similar mystery, try The Last Boy Scout.

[6.1 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0165929/). I give it a 7.0 for solid execution.

Today’s quick review: Meltdown. Two years after losing his wife to the ruthless terrorist known as the Doctor (Kelvin Wong), Kit Li (Jet Li) has taken a job as a stuntman and bodyguard for martial arts superstar Frankie Lone (Jacky Cheung). Kit gets a chance at redemption when the Doctor and his men storm a hotel gala and take dozens of hostages, including Frankie, his father (Wu Ma), and a brave reporter named Helen (Chingmy Yau).

Meltdown is a Hong Kong action comedy starring Jet Li and Jacky Cheung. Meltdown blends high-stakes action with ridiculous comedy against the backdrop of a volatile hostage situation. What the movie lacks in finesse, it makes up for in energy. The stunts are over-the-top, with plenty of gunplay, explosions, and hand-to-hand combat. The comedy stems from a goofy cast of hostages, who bumble and plead their way through the Doctor’s attack.

The downside is that Meltdown is not a very tightly written movie. It actually fares better than some of its peers in that the plot is coherent and the character motivations remain consistent. But between a needlessly convoluted setup, a cluttered cast, and the tonal whiplash of swapping between violence and humor, the movie never really comes together as a whole.

Meltdown is a fine popcorn watch for fans of the action genre. The movie does not have the delicate balance needed to make its action work with its comedy, and it lacks the iconic moments of the best films in either genre. But taken as a light romp that follows its whims, Meltdown finds a modest niche. Lenient viewers should give it a shot, while more exacting ones should steer clear.

For a less action-oriented film with a similar relationship between an actor and his stuntman, try Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. For an iconic action film with a similar premise, try Die Hard. For a Hong Kong action film with similar plot elements and a more serious tone, try New Police Story or Police Story: Lockdown.

[6.1 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114437/). I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for loose but enjoyable entertainment.

Today’s quick review: Contract Killer. Fu (Jet Li), a young hitman struggling to make rent, partners with Norman Lu (Eric Tsang), a small-time con artist, to go after the $100 million bounty on the King of Killers, the man who killed a powerful Japanese businessman. To collect the money, they must beat Eiji Tsukamoto (Sato Keiji), the grandson of the victim, to the killer while staying clear of Lieutenant Chan’s (Simon Yam) investigation.

Contract Killer is a Hong Kong action comedy about a mismatched pair of hitmen trying to collect the score of a lifetime. Jet Li stars as Fu, a man with the skills for the job but who has a soft heart. Eric Tsang plays opposite him as Lu, a grifter whose bad decisions always land him in trouble. Modest comedy, satisfying action, and a decent plot make the movie an entertaining watch, if not an exceptional one.

Contract Killer has just enough going on to keep the audience engaged. Fu wrestling with his conscience, Lu trying to spin every situation to his advantage, and the mysterious identity of the King of Killers give the movie plenty of material to work with. The plot is not too complicated, but it does have one or two nice twists. And while the jokes are not spectacular, the characters are charming and fun to spend time with.

Contract Killer gets a little further with its action. Once the story gets going, Fu squares off against other killers. The fights make good use of the environment, using everything from tables and chairs to elevators to vary up the combat. Jet Li also gets to show off his martial arts skills against guns, swords, and a variety of improvised weaponry.

Contract Killer is a fine pick for action fans. Neither the story nor the spectacle can compare to the best the action genre has to offer, but they manage to be entertaining without making any major mistakes. Give it a shot if you’re willing to meet the movie halfway. Steer clear if you are looking for something that’s more innovative or impressive.

For a more aggressive Jet Li action movie, try War or The One. For a more introspective movie about a hitman with a conscience, try A Company Man or The Professional. For an even more outlandish comedy about an unconventional hitman, try The Whole Nine Yards or Mr. Right.

[6.2 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0163818/). I give it a 6.5 for good fundamentals but not much more.