As a long-time fan of action movies and both Jason Statham and Jet Li, I must confess that I was rather disappointed with “War” when it was released back in 2007. With such an impressive cast and pedigree, I expected nothing short of martial arts mayhem and explosive action sequences. However, the film fell short on many counts, leaving me feeling a tad let down.
In terms of box office returns, the action genre can sometimes be unpredictable (except for when Tom Cruise is involved), as even well-known stars don’t always guarantee substantial earnings. However, when two popular figures from the genre collaborate, success becomes almost a certainty. Both Jet Li and Jason Statham have built impressive careers over the years, delivering high-octane action and memorable characters. The 2000s were particularly fruitful for both actors.
In 2007, I followed a film titled “War,” which, to my initial expectation, seemed destined for success. However, it failed to impress critics and struggled at the box office. Now, as we approach almost two decades since its release, I find myself reflecting on why this action movie didn’t resonate with audiences and whether revisiting it with a fresh perspective might prove worthwhile.
Jason Statham and Jet Li Attempted to Raise War at the Box Office
Following the tragic loss of FBI agent John Crawford’s partner, Tom Lone, along with his entire family at the hands of the mysterious assassin Rogue, Crawford becomes consumed by a relentless desire for vengeance. Simultaneously, Rogue skillfully orchestrates conflicts between the Japanese Yakuza and Chinese Triads in San Francisco, using the ensuing turmoil to his advantage and eventually leading Crawford closer to him. In time, these two formidable adversaries engage in a fierce battle of wits and strength.
It appeared that pairing Jason Statham and Jet Li would be a hit combination, generating anticipation that their team-up would entice action movie enthusiasts to flock to cinemas. Despite the less favorable reception of “In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale” for Statham, he remained popular due to releases like “Crank” and “Transporter 2” a few years earlier. Jet Li, already an icon in the action genre, had gained global acclaim with films such as “Hero,” which was released in the early 2000s.
In 2001, both Jason Statham and Jet Li teamed up in the film “The One,” with Statham taking a secondary role. The idea of these two action stars sharing lead roles was quite thrilling. However, director Philip G. Atwell, who had previously worked on music videos, helmed this project – an unusual choice that might have raised some eyebrows. Nevertheless, the presence of renowned director and fight choreographer Corey Yuen was a major draw for dedicated action movie enthusiasts. Regrettably, despite all its promise, “War” flopped at the box office.
War Failed to Capture Audience and Critical Praise
The film “War” received generally unfavorable reviews across the board, as indicated by its ratings on various platforms. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a rotten score of 15% based on 59 critic reviews and a mediocre 51% ‘popcorn’ meter. Other sites are slightly more forgiving, giving it a 6.2/10 on IMDb and 2.6 on Letterboxd. Although “War” wasn’t a complete box office failure, its earnings fell short, generating $42.7 million against a budget of $25 million ($22.5 million domestically). Despite the poor critical response, the film might have faced difficulties regardless, as it was released alongside two other action movies, “The Bourne Ultimatum” and “Rush Hour 3,” both well-anticipated entries in their respective franchises, and an action movie with a less than appealing title.
Despite receiving criticism from many, particularly Paul Arendt of the BBC who pointed out that the film had more elements of a gangster investigation than martial arts combat, with action sequences appearing as a blur due to excessive editing and lacking the humor that is characteristic of Jason Statham’s best performances; the main points of criticism were the weak script, lackluster action scenes, disjointed editing, and an unsatisfying conclusion. Despite these issues, the movie has managed to find appreciation among some viewers, leading us to question whether it remains worth watching over a decade after its initial release.
Should You Give War a Second Chance?
War, despite its controversial nature, has its share of enthusiasts who appreciate it as an entertaining action spectacle without much thought. While critics might have panned the ending as disorganized, fans who rated the movie highly saw it as a fresh take on the genre. Admirers of Jason Statham and Jet Li, for instance, were thrilled to see them together on screen, even if the film itself wasn’t top-notch. For some, it serves as a light-hearted escape, a movie that shouldn’t be taken too seriously but enjoyed for its pure entertainment value.
While it’s challenging to suggest “War” to enthusiasts of action movies or either actor, as it falls short compared to their finest performances. However, they would find a bit of redemption with “War”, as both actors later became part of the “The Expendables” franchise. If you are an action genre fan, there’s undoubtedly more excitement in these movies than “War”. On the other hand, if you wish to witness Statham at his peak, consider watching “Snatch” (2000), “The Transporter” (2002), or “The Bank Job” (2008). For Jet Li’s best work, I recommend “Once Upon a Time in China” (1991), “Hero” (2002), and “Fearless” (2006). You can watch “War” (2007) on Amazon Prime Video, The Roku Channel, or Plex.
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2024-11-15 01:01