WAR **½

WAR is a slice 'n dice (literally) action film starring: Jet Li, Jason Statham, John Lone, Steph Song, Nadine Velazquez, Kane Kosugi, Andrea Roth, and Devon Aoki The director is Philip G. Atwell, who has basically been a video/Tv director until now.

The plot is more convoluted than usual for this type of film. It starts with two FBI agents in the middle of a gun battle which includes a deadly killer named Rogue. Rogue is supposedly killed by one of the agents and then some time later, that agent and his wife and daughter are killed by Rogue, who has resurfaced. The remaining partner vows revenge and finds Rogue three years later in the middle of a fight between elements of the Chinese Triads and the Japanese Yakuza. It soon becomes obvious Rogue is working both ends of the fight and instigating a fight to the death between the two groups. The battle you'd expect erupts and ends with the agent and the assassin finally coming face to face.

This is the type of film many males greatly enjoy. It features non-stop violence, sword slicing, explosions, lots of blood and flying body parts, fast cars, and a plethora of scantily clad young women. What's not to like? Most women will be much happier with something like Becoming Jane or The Nanny Diaries. But for those for whom fast paced action equals entertainment, this fills the bill nicely. There is a plot flaw which you'll realize at the end but most won't really care. A big screen and good sound will add to the pleasure.