By Ryan Parsons | Image property of New Line Cinema.
Shoot 'Em Up
When you have a shoot 'em up film to the likes of well, Shoot 'Em Up, you are guaranteed that some critics aren't going to like it. Come on, it's a killfest where one guy seems to dodge bullets, so mixed reviews are to be expected.
Official Reviews: Shoot 'Em Up
We have been alerted to a couple of the first official reviews for Shoot 'Em Up and you should notice a trend that probably won't end. The big, professional publication gives the film criticism while a fanboy site raves.
First Showing (Positive)
The film speaks for itself. Shoot 'Em Up is one of the best action movies I have ever seen, period.
This of course gives director Michael Davis the chance to have literally every scene in the movie be an over-the-top action scene that is as uniquely stylized as it is entertaining. There are gunfights in abandoned buildings, during sex, bathrooms, and even while skydiving in the air. Davis seems to be out to top every scene by a following scene. Some may find the action too over-the-top and cartoonish to be taken seriously, but that's the fun of it. Mr. Smith chews on a carrot for most of the movie and even finds himself spitting out lines like, “what's up doc?" Clearly a sign that this is a film not to be taken seriously, but one that knows who its fans are.
Variety (Negative)
Director Michael Davis makes the transition from straight-to-DVD stinkers to the bigscreen in conspicuous fashion, with an action movie that is violent and vile in equal measure. When hitman Paul Giamatti is dispatched to assassinate a pregnant woman, not-so-innocent bystander Clive Owen intervenes on the baby's behalf, unleashing a firefight of epic proportions. Good taste is the first fatality in this gonzo thrill-seeker, sure to offend mainstream dispositions, yet too stylistically audacious to dismiss outright. Like "Running Scared" and "Boondock Saints" before it, shamelessly sordid pic, which opens Sept. 7, will likely fall short theatrically but find its audience on DVD.
I have a feeling that I'm going to be (closer) in agreement with FirstShowing. Check out both official reviews for Shoot 'Em Up by clicking the bold links above.
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