Reviews (52)

Kinda sad when you think about it
I feel that this movie was an okay movie because it is about my favorite thing in the world: Capoeira. I feel that the main character would be better if he was a real capoeira mestre, not some Karate Champion. The only parts worth watching are the first and last 5 minutes where you get to see roda in action. I am a self-taught capoeira student and I can play better than the goofs that they put in the movie. It is a good movie for capoeira newbies, but if you really want to know about REAL capoeira, research and find a mestre near you so that you can experience the exhileration of practicing such a beautiful art.

Axe camaradas!
This is a charming movie with a stupid storyline like those seen in most martial arts movies. But hey, the point is to see the hero beat the bad guys with some sweet moves, right? And this movie delivers just that. So why bother analysing it any deeper?

Mark Dacascos plays a young capoeirista (a guy who practises capoeira) who gets some misfit students onto the right side of the law by teaching them capoeira. Of course this leads to some showdowns between him and various criminal elements. And that's it, really. But capoeira is a beautiful sport to watch, and the movie is a good teaser for the real thing.

But Dacascos isn't really a capoeirista, and the movie misinterprets some of the basic elements of the sport. If you become interested in learning more after watching the movie, look up the nearest capoeira club in the phonebook and try it for yourself. I guarantee it will be an experience well worth your while! I speak from personal experience.

Great Introduction
Years ago I woked at a bookstore and had a customer request a book on Capoeira. I was intrigued by what I read, and wanted to see how it was performed.

I found info about this DVD online when I looked for an mp3 for the "Mazda" Zoom song & discovered it was a (badly mangled) version of one of the songs from this video.

So this is my first time seeing the actual art...the story-line sounds hokey, but it works because everything is beautifully choreographed by Frank Dux. It was a great introduction to an art form that is still little-known in the US.

My husband and I have watched it twice already tonight, it's fun,has great music, and made me wish to learn more about Capoeira.

Unassuming B-movie, great fun
ONLY THE STRONG (USA 1993): Upon returning home to Miami, a former Green Beret (Mark Dacascos) is employed by his local high school to rehabilitate some of its worst students by teaching them the art of capoeira (a form of martial arts from Brazil, using dance-like moves). But his work brings him into conflict with a local drug lord (Paco Christian Prieto), whose operations are threatened by Dacascos' interference...

A predictable B-movie plot is elevated above the routine by virtue of its slick presentation and interesting cast, all of whom turn in creditable performances under the assured direction of Sheldon Lettich (former scriptwriter of RAMBO III who went on to helm some of Jean-Claude Van Damme's most popular entries, including LIONHEART and DOUBLE IMPACT). The script - co-written by Lettich and Luis Esteban - provides a showcase for the visual artistry of capoeira, practised with genuine flair by DTV favorite Dacascos (BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF), whose mastery of the form helps to win over some of the most problematic students at his former high school, now a crime-ridden wasteland whose faculty (led by Geoffrey Lewis, acting everyone else off the screen) is clearly at the end of its collective tether. A faint air of camp hangs over the entire enterprise, as ultra-buff Dacascos flaunts his pumped-up torso through a variety of tight-fitting vests (drool! slobber!) while facing off against ultra-butch Prieto (a real life martial arts instructor, making one of his first screen appearances), though ultra-cute Stacey Travis hovers around just long enough to blunt the film's relentless macho swagger and provide a fleeting romantic interest for Dacascos, thereby reassuring the movie's target audience that his character is entirely heterosexual. The film is naive, obvious and predictable, but it moves at a rapid clip and is well-staged thoughout, and the bone-crunching fight scenes manage to live up to every expectation. Good, catchy music score, too.

Fox's DVD is a no-frills affair, including both widescreen and fullscreen versions of the film, along with a trailer (curiously framed at 2.35:1, though the main feature is correctly framed at 1.85:1). Sound and picture quality are uniformly fine.

95m 52s
1.85:1 / Anamorphically enhanced
[Fullscreen 1.33:1 version also included]
DVD soundtrack: Dolby Surround 2.0
Theatrical soundtrack: Dolby Stereo SR
Optional English subtitles and closed captions
Region 1

Excellent movie, a must see
This is my favorite Mark Dacascos' film. I been trying to find it on DVD for a long time and I'm so glad it finally was relased on this version. If you're a fan of Dacascos and enjoy to watch martial arts, this is a must, trust me. ... Read more

Reviews (332)

Brotherhood Of the Wolf-A Masterwork of Period Horror
Director Christopher Gans (Crying Freeman, Necronomicon)has adapted the 300 year old case of the Beast of Gevaudon into the absolutely brilliant BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF (Le Pacte De Loups). Samuel Le Bihan stars as King Louis the XV's chief naturalist, war veteren Gregoire De Fronsac, sent to the French countryside with his best friend, a Native American warrior named Mani (Marc DeCascos)to hunt and kill a wolf-like "beast" responsible for a series of bloody deaths. Along the way, they encounter political intrigue, a witchy courtisan (the stunning Monica Belucchi) and the Beast itself, with amazing results.
Although compared to The Matrix, Crouching Tiger and Jaws, I found this breathtaking film more in the vein of Tsui Hark's Once Upon a Time in China series, with a dose of Dragonslayer thrown in for good measure. Complete with amazing locations, spot-on costumes and butt-kicking Savate sequences courtesy of DeCascos, Le Bihan and the menacing Vincent Cassel (The Crimson Rivers), BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF was well worth the year's wait (it was released in France in January of 2001). By all means, treat yourself to this truly ORIGINAL film. Within five minutes, you'll forget the subtitles, drawn in by the film's voluptuous beauty and thrilling plot twists.

Magnificent folly, way ahead of its time
BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF (Le Pacte des Loups, 2001): In 18th century France, a brave young naturalist (Samuel Le Bihan [TROIS COULEURS ROUGE]) and his Native American companion (Mark Dacascos [DRIVE]) are hired to trace the origins of a bloodthirsty 'beast' which has been terrorizing the countryside, killing women and children. But their investigations uncover an appalling conspiracy which cuts to the very heart of French high society...

Loosely based on true events, this high-powered Gallic blockbuster - directed by Christophe Gans, hired on the strength of his incredible genre-bending adaptation of CRYING FREEEMAN - wowed French audiences when released in 2001. And no wonder! A high-kicking combination of horror movie, period drama, political thriller and 'Matrix'-inspired kung fu pageant, the film combines the best elements of these disparate sub-genres in a dazzling display of technical wizardry. Photographed in widescreen Super 35 by Dan Laustsen (MIMIC, THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN), and played with solemn conviction by an all-star cast - including relative newcomers Vincent Cassel (LA HAINE), Monica Bellucci (the MATRIX sequels) and Jeremie Renier (LES AMANTS CRIMINELS), and veterans Jean Yanne (most recently seen in BELLE MAMAN) and Edith Scob (the elegant heroine of Franju's LES YEUX SANS VISAGE) - the movie is a riot of action and intrigue, sustained by a multilayered screenplay (co-authored by Gans and Stephane Cabel) which recounts an elaborate fable of class warfare and religious bigotry during a grim period of French history. The fight scenes - choreographed with ruthless efficiency by Hong Kong movie veteran Phillip Kwok (MASTER OF THE FLYING GUILLOTINE, HARD-BOILED, TOMORROW NEVER DIES, etc.) - are fashioned with elegant grace, and edited to perfection by Sebastien Prangere and David Wu Dai-wai (another prominent HK movie figure, Ronny Yu Yan-tai's current editor of choice). Much of the film's otherworldly visual texture is due to the sumptuous art direction (by Guy-Claude Francois [JEFFERSON IN PARIS]) and costume design (by Dominique Borg), which roots proceedings in a recognizable period 'style', despite Gans' resolutely modern approach to the material. It shouldn't work, but it does, somehow. The 'explanation' for the beast and its murderous activities - which takes into account a wide range of modern research into the story of an animal which really DID terrorize the French countryside during the 18th century - forms the backbone of the entire production, and while much of the film is a rip-roaring joy, the climactic sequences are offset by an element of tragedy and sadness, which thoroughly distinguishes the movie from most of its Hollywood counterparts. All in all, BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF is a magnificent folly, way ahead of its time, and quite unlike anything ever made before.

This review is based on a viewing of the Canadian disc from TVR Films which presents the original French version in its entirety (the international version, including the one released in the US and UK, appears to be shorter by about 10 minutes) and runs 150m 34s, minus the logos which open the video print and weren't part of the original production, and letterboxes the scope frame at 2.35:1 (anamorphically enhanced). The US disc - a region 1 release from Universal - is a no-frills affair which features a letterboxed anamorphic version of the shorter print, and some reviews suggest it's a better-looking transfer than the one featured on the Canadian disc. Captions and subtitles are provided. The Canadian version, however, is a 3-disc spectacular, and features (amongst many other things) an extremely frank documentary on the making of the film which opens with an actress being clobbered during an accident on-set, and proceeds to outline the various obstacles which constantly threatened the production schedule (not least the unpredictable weather during location shooting) and ultimately strained relations between director Gans and co-producer Samuel Hadida. That such a remarkable film emerged from these traumatic circumstances says much about the talent and dedication of these extraordinary gentlemen and all those who helped bring their unique vision to the silver screen. A triumph.

terrible!
i am completely amazed as i read the other reviews of this movie and have to wonder if we saw the same film.
did we?
a movie with no characterization? terrible dialogue? a lot of slow-motion action sequences (trying desperately to copy the John Woo style)? a lot of style and glitz but no plot motivation to back it up? and a SUPER hokey ending?
and don't even get me started on the character of Mani. i'm from the region Mani is said to come from, and all of the displays of Native American traditions which are presented in this film are fabricated and presented to the point that i was insulted!

did we see the same movie?
this is a good movie for cutiosity sake but little else.

Regarding the Beast
From the outset of Le Pacte de Loups, we know that the central beast of the movie is no ordinary wolf. Regarding its identification, however - a point that is never truly elucidated whether you've seen the film or not - there remains debate. My initial and superseding question is, no matter how the beast appears, what makes it impossible to believe in the beast's specificity as a common French wolf? This fact is unmistakable to my intuitions. Many of you might not know French, but I looked it up and "loup" is actually French for "wolf" - not "beast," like many appear to think. First point, the movie title states this so-called mysterious answer from the outset. If the beast was a hyena, the French would be referring to "hyènes," and were it a lion, it would actually be called "lion" (the two languages share this word).

If you need more evidence, there is no lack in the film. Our beast is often seen running with its pack, howling at the moon, and killing people. While Grégoire attempts to denounce the belief in human murders by wolf, one of the final scenes of the movie clearly depicts wolves doing just that: an obvious statement to disaffirm his slander. If you listen to the revealing narrative at the end of the film, it is stated that while visiting Africa Jean-François found the beast and raised her offspring, selecting the largest and strongest to take back with him to France and training it to be more ferocious and cruel than the average wolf.

***WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.
Earlier we learn that this character has been savaged by a lion, which resulted in the loss of his right forelimb. Would you take the same animal that disfigured you and raise it as your own? Neither would Jean-François.

I had to chuckle at some of these reviews!
Wow! Four out of five. Three out of five. You have to be joking don't you? This movie is perfection. Pure, true, honest, stylish. Of course Americans get a bit ruffled when a 'foreign' film shows the good old US of A how 'it's done' yet again. You folk like you're movies with justification, explanation and gradification... all tied up in a bow. This movie is not sugar covered and goes in depth within (I won't give it away for those that have not seen it) an area that goes way back in time and is still happening today (Bohemiam Grove hint hint etc)which has always fascinated me. So why would you not like it? Firstly that pesky 'other' language (yes, it's in French - and so it should be) makes those of less IQ's have to read. Pesky pesky. Secondly it has many layers as a movie and does not always have to explain EVERYTHING that is going on, and instead relies on the intellect of it's viewers and allows us to progress on the journey and make up our own minds as to how, why and who. I will not go into 'explaining' the film as it is done already in the top review and you all seem to explain it over and over again. I am not French as you may all think, and instead an Aussie relieved and satisfied that a certain standard of perfection is retained in some movies in the world. Erotic, scary, action, suspense, intelligent, beautiful. Simply one of the best movies I have seen this year. (I'll put money on it that America will remake this movie very soon... and yet again bugger up another classic foreign film that should have been left well alone! Please don't! I beg you!) ... Read more

Description

When his daughter is kidnapped and held in exchange for diamonds, the leader of a crew of highly skilled urban thieves (DMX) forges an unlikely alliance with a Taiwanese Intelligence officer (Jet Li) to rescue her. Their race against the clock to find the precious stones ultimately unravels a plot to distribute a deadly new weapon of war. ... Read more

Reviews (69)

Plot finally outweighs the action.
'Cradle 2 the Grave' looks like it would be the typical martial arts action flick. But there is very little martial arts, and I thought the action was rather laid back as well. Seems that the Hollywood people are beginning to realize that there is room in the industry for action films with good stories and plots.

In 'Cradle', DMX portrays Tony Fait--a high-tech thief who goes into a building one expects to be well-guarded and steals fifty black diamonds. Of course, he has help. This is one of the best opening sequences I have ever seen. Perfectly timed.

Jet Li plays Su, an agent from Taiwan. He also wants the weird, black diamonds. So does everyone else. Fait and Su team up when Fait's daughter is kidnapped. All of this leads to the climax--another well timed cut between three fight sequences.

The movie only goes bad during the end credits. But I am giving this film five stars because I really enjoyed Anthony Anderson, who finally tones down and plays a more serious role--and he is able to remain funny at the same time.

Like action flicks? C2G does not disappoint!
Popular rapper DMX has teamed up in an earlier martial arts film with Steven Segal, and has stepped his role in action films up a notch with martial arts superstar Jet Li, who has (to my mind)established himself as one of the greatest martial arts stars of our time.

DMX's role is Tony Fait, a smooth (but somewhat excitable)master thief. He and his crew (including the lovely Gabrielle Union and his partner-in- crime from the afore-referenced "Exit Wounds" Anthony Anderson) break into a diamond exchange, and steal a cache of black diamonds. They were created by the Taiwanese government, and when agitated (kinda like what we saw as the principal weapon in the fifth Bond flick "Diamonds Are Forever") unleash incredible energy. They were originally stolen by the real bad guy Ling (Mark Dacascos), who intends to auction them off to a room full of worldwide nogoodnicks. Ling then abducts DMX's baby girl to ransom them back. And as they say, it is ON.

You cannot have these guys together without great fight scenes, and this movie does not disappoint. Li has an incredible nonchalance about himself, and actually fights (and easily handles, of course) his first few adversaries with one hand in his pocket! He has to use both hands, though, when he ends up in the middle of a brawl with a crew of Ultimate Fighters. Of course, he can, and does, without raising much of a sweat (but he does get around to tossing around a midget as a "weapon").

Just as he did in Exit Wounds, Tom Arnold provides some comic relief (among his best lines: "I cannot read Chinese, but I know cop in every language").

Forget about the folks who dog out this movie. The acting is just fine. This script does not call for Meryl Streep, and neither is it incredibly thought provoking screenplay. It does not need to be. It doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is, a slammin', ultra-violent, retribution filled, sexy action film. While I thought at first that the one-handed fight scenes were a bit much, as another reviewer noted, it does show another side of the virtuosity of Jet Li. And I don't really care whether Kelly Hu (bad-guy Ling's equally ultra-fine sidekick) would have beat down Gabrielle Union in two seconds "in real life". The two of them on the screen is worth seeing, in my humble opinion.

Like action movies? Then this one is for you. Enjoy it for what it is, and you will have spent a great ninety minutes.

yawn............................................
dmx knows his tired rap act is through,so now hes trying to spread his tired image into movies.is it any wonder his movies(AND EVERY MOVIE OF THIS KIND)barely make it to see a second weekend?the saving grace here is jet li(a minimal save).jet li is also in a massive decline and proved that action also needs acting/believable plot.every rapper acts the same way,they are interchangable/easily forgotten.since i rented this,im not so upset.can you imagine how the crowd was during and after movie?rowdy and uncontrollable as if they were on prison leave.to some extent,you can tell the charactor of a person by what entertains them.im pretty sure the males in the audience couldnt wait to be dmx tough and start some nonsense.we all know how tough guys are....tough from a distance and only with alot of backup.typical and pitifull.any monkey can direct movies this horrible,but how can people actually rush to see this?so very sad...............................

dissapointing
Only saw this movie because I'm a Jet Li fan. This is definately not one of his best movies, probably because he is redelegated to the role of sidekick. Some fights were decent but story wasn't very intertaining. DMX is only good at playing one role-gangbanger. Maybe he should stick to his day job.

A Solid Action Film
"Cradle 2 the Grave" stars Jet Li and DMX as an odd couple duo who must get back a package of black diamonds from a rogue Taiwanese intelligence agent. DMX plays Fait, a master thief who undertakes a very high-paying job to steal some black diamonds from a very high security vault. Jet Li plays the Taiwanese intelligence agent Su who has to get them back.

At first Fait and Su are opponents after the diamonds. When they are taken by Ling (Mark Dacascos) they team up to retrieve them. Su wants the diamonds and Fait wants his daughter Vanessa (Paige Hurd) back. Ling has kidnapped her as leverage against Fait.

"Cradle 2 the Grave" also stars Anthony Anderson, Tom Arnold, Gabrielle Union, and Drag-On as Fait's assistants, willing and forced. They stage a raid on a deserted airfield where Ling is holding Fait's daughter and the diamonds.

As far as martial arts movies go, "Cradle 2 the Grave" isn't bad. Many of the fight scenes are too well choreographed though and far too Matrixy in the way the actors bodies seemingly mock gravity. I seriously doubt that Jet Li can throw a 200 pound man about 20 feet through the air. This movie also makes the horrendous mistake of having one guy fight about 15 other guys one at a time. Just once I'd like to see all 10 or 15 guys jump the hero at one time and see how he gets out of it. I know that if I were one of those 15 guys, I'd be looking to take a cheap shot while he's working over one of the other guys.

My only real problem with this film is the title. What exactly are they referring to when they call it "Cradle 2 the Grave". Ususally that term is reserved for discussions about Swedish social programs. At no time in this movie did Jet Li and DMX expound upon the benefits of an all-encompassing social safety net vis-a-vis the social benefits of a low-tax economic policy to foster long-term wealth production and distribution. Then again, the movie producers didn't even have enough time to spell out the word 'to'; so, I doubt they had the time to work such a policy discussion into the movie. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The bloody story of an assassin who silently weeps for his victims, CryingFreeman began as a 1986 manga by Kazuo Koike and Ryoichi Ikegami.In addition to this six-part OVA, the story has been filmed twice in liveaction. The leaders of the Chinese Mafia known as the 108 Dragons brainwashceramicist Yoh Hinamura and transform him into the ultimate assassin. Virginal artistEmu Hino witnesses a killing by Yoh, but when he comes to murder her, sheseduces him and wins his heart. Defying the syndicate, he refuses to give her up.Emu and Yoh subsequently become the bosses of the 108 Dragons. They run theorganization--whose illegal activities are tactfully glossed over--on theprinciples of honor and absolute loyalty extolled in live-action Yakuza movies.

Like true love, the course of mob business seldom runs smoothly, and the bodycount for the entire series runs into the thousands. Hit men and women aredispatched with knives, throwing knives, swords, karate chops, pistols, machineguns, grenades, missiles, and electricity. As the plot grows more baroque, theanimation grows more limited. After a certain point, the images of knivespenetrating skulls, full-body tattoos, bare breasts, and awkwardly animated sexualencounters become monotonous, but Crying Freeman is definitely not forthe squeamish or prudish. (Rated 17 and older, but more appropriate for 18 andolder: graphic violence, violence against women, rape, torture, ethnicstereotypes, extensive nudity, explicit sexual situations) --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Amazon.com

Previously filmed in 1933 (as Island of Lost Souls) and 1977, the classic H.G. Wells story was filmed again for this graphic 1996 version. The film was roasted by critics, but it's an utterly fascinating failure, largely due to the performances of David Thewlis, Val Kilmer, and especially Marlon Brando in the title role as a mad (and in this case outrageously bizarre) scientist whose experiments in crossbreeding humans with animals have gone terribly awry. Thewlis plays the wayward scholar who is rescued at sea by Kilmer and brought to Moreau's island to discover the doctor's unnatural "children." Fairuza Balk plays Moreau's half-cat daughter, but it's Brando and Kilmer (in one scene doing a killer Brando impersonation) who steal the show, along with the astounding makeup effects created by Stan Winston. A guilty pleasure by any measure, this movie has definite cult-favorite potential, and in addition to offering a "director's cut" with previously unseen footage, the DVD includes audio commentary by director John Frankenheimer, who replaced the original director on short notice and completed this film under highly stressful conditions. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (60)

Not terrible, not great
I owned a copy for a while and watched it several times. I did keep thinking it could have been so much more, but I was entertained to a certain extent. The acting was good in places. The bad animal costumes was distracting at times and I'm sure they could do the special effects so much better now. It's worth a rental.

Bad adaptation
The original book by H.G. Wells is perhaps one of the best books I've ever read (not the top, but up there). The visuals I got that book, from the animals chanting the law to the narrator's chase through the forest, chilled me the way no movie could. Speaking of which...

This movie is nothing like the book, except for the fact that a guy is stranded on an island with a man who claims to have the name Moreau and is a doctor. The book had a lot to say about our society and the inner beast, but the movie is basically violence accompanied by a corny love story that was just as unnecessary. It wasn't romantic, you have to wonder why Fairuza Balk looked more human than the other animal-people, and you also have to wonder why Doctor Moreau didn't consider her the "perfect human" that this film claims the doctor was looking for.

The animal designs in general were pretty awful. They're all almost the same - it's basically "Planet of the Apes" with spotted and striped apes. The people in "Cats" looked more feline than the character Cheetah. There was probably very little creativity put behind this aspect of the film.

Making the doctor some thing of a sadist dictator is a bad turn as well. The first film adaptation, "The Island of Lost Souls," portrayed the doctor as a sadist dictator as well. H.G. Wells was alive at the time and hated that portrayal, and I'm certain he would abhor this film version. Much of the doctor's wit and wisdom is lost in the screenplay, which is sad considering Marlon Brando has some amazing acting talent and would have been a perfect choice to play the title character. In fact, most of the actors have amazing potential but are wasted with a bad script. The hero is perhaps the only hammy one of the group, and his character's only highlight is at the end when he turns the villains against each other.

The last five minutes try to make up for H.G. Well's symbolism, as if the writers thought, "Wow that was some badass action, awe darn we forgot the plot!" Sadly, its too little too late. If they had taken out the mutant rats, the catgirl, and the script, they might have had some thing, but unfortunately all efforts are wasted.

Tragically underrated
I can't stress enough how important it is for anyone considering seeing this movie to ignore the heaps of negative reviews here. Most justify their opinions by calling this film strange, grotesque, or both. Both are fitting, but there's alot more to this film than that, and those two things in themselves are not necessarily reason to dislike a film. Quite the contrary, when Hollywood is so overrun with unchallenging, unoriginal fodder.

I could praise the movie on any number of levels. Every actor here carries his or her eccentric role with a perfectly tasteful care not to go over the top or become too cartoonish. The dialogue is free of fluff and carries quite an element of eloquence, which is fitting when considering the overall dramatic intent. On a more basic level, the creature effects used on the half human, half animal hybrid creations inhabiting Moreau's Island are handled by none other than Stan Winston and done very well, and the soundtrack is appropriately eerie, with tribal drumming used in parts to enhance the mood. And, of course, the themes explored here, despite their familiarity (the power of instnct, and the danger of playing God), are driven home with potent efficiency, probably thanks to the extreme and sometimes bizzare nature in which they're handled.

The fact that this movie carries such a human element with it is what I really like about it. It's easy to feel for the man-beasts, tragic abominations intelligent enough to know they're nothing but the waste products of a madman's search for genetic perfection. The protagonist, as well, benefits from the fact that he is very much an introvert and probably speaks less than Val Kilmer, who is less vital to the plot. His quiet observation helps add to the realism and mold a film which could have easily been a silly mess into a moving, artfully crafted piece of work.

If you choose to judge this movie as harshly as most have, then go ahead, but at least see it first with an open mind. I for one feel a movie this bold deserves every bit of respect.

one of the worst movies of 1996
come on people, 5 stars for this junk. yes it has Val Kilmer and Marlon Brando in it but they dont save it, not by a long shot. it starts off good but then when they get into all that beast and grotesque situations..it downs the movie big time and did we have to see that mother beast giving birth I mean come on now!! the only good part is when Kilmer's and Brando's characters die. a mess of a movie

zero stars
Yes folks, it really is THAT bad. Brando is funny playing a loon, but then he gets killed for no good reason. His mini-Brando sidekick is pitifully ugly, too; you feel sad looking at him. David Thewlis is a fine actor, but he has trouble reacting properly to the people in bad make-up and the computer generated mutant rats. Somehow, everything explodes in the end. This is a horrible film, not even so-bad-it's-good (like, say, Showgirls). ... Read more

Description

By taking the Chinese names "Ron Tayan" (Dragon Sun) and "FuChing-Ran" (Tiger Orchid), Hinomura and his wife Emu Hino show their commitment tothe venerable Hong Kong cartel The 108 Dragons. Now they face both betrayal fromwithin their own group and a hostile take-over attempt by a new terrorist gang trying tomuscle in on the international crime scene.

Later, master Naiji-a powerful and driven fanatic-schemes to use the 108 Dragons'influence to spread his "Great Bear God" religion throughout the world. Forming anunlikely aliance with two of Freeman's past enemies, Naiji plans to replace the reluctantleader of Hong Kong's pre-eminent crime cartel with a perfect double capable of foolingeveryone, even his wife! ... Read more

Description

In the thrilling tradition of THE CORE and INDEPENDENCE DAY, SCORCHER stars Mark Dacascos (CRADLE 2 GRAVE, CHINA STRIKE FORCE), Rutger Hauer (CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND), and John Rhys-Davis (THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy, INDIANA JONES trilogy) in an action-packed adventure where extraordinary heroes take on the ultimate fight to save the world! In the wake of a horrible nuclear accident, devastating natural disasters abound as the Earth's massive tectonic plates shift violently and unnaturally. To stop the earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that are leading up to an inevitable doomsday catastrophe, scientists decide that a nuclear bomb must be detonated in Los Angeles! From there, the fate of the world and the safety of its inhabitants rest with Ryan Beckett (Dacascos) and his elite team, who must pull off this do-or-die race against time. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

scorcher
When writing this review, they would not allow me to put NO stars.

I laughed till I tried to sleep, but couldn't stop laughing!
I'm laughing now because the maximum amount of words that I can use to describe what obvious absurdity this movie was, is a 1,000. I won't give whoever was a part of this joke of a movie the satifaction, except if you want a clean, fun, laughable night of what happens when actors (I almost said good actors) sell out to this dribble. I would love to know how much Rutger Hauer made on this movie. I really wanted to keep Rutger Hauer out of this, but he keeps failing me, as I try to still believe that he can actually act; beyond Blade Runner and The Hitcher, (he is getting bigger though). I'm starting to go back on me not writing more than I said I would, but now I can't help it. Thinking about this movie and writing this review is making me laugh again. Thanks to all who put this ludicrous flick together. If their is a part two to this movie - oh no - I'm starting to laugh... again...

Deliciously Bad - I cried with laughter.
I decided to watch Scorcher with some friends last night. Little did I know that I was in for a treat. There are some disaster flicks that are tongue-in-cheek, but they have a good story line so they are watchable. Scorcher should go down in the annals of history as the worst disaster movie made.
The acting is consistantly horrible, not because of the quality of the actors, but the script is like wading shoulder deep through molasses.
The storyline is bad on so many levels that a thesis could be written on it. Rutger Hauer as the president??? What were they thinking? And please, at least give him a jacket that fit. Their command center is an abandoned soundstage?? Where were all the extras to help fill out the movie? You see the same people over and over. Also could you develop at least one character? Ah never mind!
Scorcher should be made a requisite at all film schools as a good example of a bad example so others can learn what a good example is.

perhaps the worst disaster film ever made
I love good disaster flicks, even the ridiculous ones, but this movie is downright dreadful. ... Read more

Description

Dynamic star Charlie Sheen (TV's SPIN CITY, TERMINAL VELOCITY) is teamed with Martin Sheen (TV's THE WEST WING, THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT) in this explosive, action-packed crime thriller! While hot on the trail of the city's most notorious heroin dealer, cops Bill Peterson and his son Jake uncover rampant corruption in their own police force! Without knowing who to trust, the Petersons must quickly learn a lesson in loyalty and honor ... as the tension soars before a $50 million drug deal goes down! As father and son work together to swiftly bring the criminals to justice, brace yourself for nonstop high-powered adventure with intrigue, danger, and excitement! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

For Sheen Fans...only
Let me start by saying I'm a big fan of Martin Sheen and his clan. So I enjoyed seeing Martin, Charlie, and especially Martin's brother Joe Estevez (the resemblence is so strong you'll know when you see him) together in this film. I have to admit that the script was just terrible. The actors did what they could with it, but even Martin's always excellent acting couldn't redeem it.(Clearly he did this film only as a favor for his son.) I love Charlie Sheen and I know he was a creator of this film, but I can't lie - sometimes it's just painfully bad. That being said, it's worth watching for Sheen fans. I loved Joe and wish he was in more movies with Martin.

Sheen Shines Again
This movie is a must-see for anyone who wouldn't dream of missing an episode of West Wing. Martin Sheen does for the police force what he has done for the Presidential office- show us what it could and should be- as a dedicated cop and family man. Never a dull moment. Great action scenes, including an explosive ending.

Second rate home movie
Charlie Sheen produced this home movie starring his father (Martin Sheen), his uncle (Joe Estevez) and himself. This is a B-minus film about dirty cops involved in a drug deal. Almost everything about this film is second rate. The story is predictable and unoriginal. The dialogue is mindless and insipid. The photography is dull and the music is awful. The only redeeming elements are the stunts and pyrotechnics, which are reasonably well done.

The acting is mediocre at best. Charlie Sheen is often embarrassingly bad, leaving his dad to carry the film. Uncle Joe is just a throw in to keep the family employed and adds nothing to the film. The three drug goons are wretched.

Charlie Sheen's once bright career continues to grind gears with this clunker. I rated it a 4/10. Action lovers might enjoy it, but others will want to pass. ... Read more

Description

The hit-making director of RUMBLE IN THE BRONX and JACKIE CHAN'S FIRST STRIKE, Stanley Tong, now brings you a fast-paced, high-octane adventure where extortion, murder, and drugs fuel the action for exciting star Mark Dacascos (CRADLE 2 THE GRAVE) and hip-hop headliner Coolio! A renegade cop with his own rough-edged way of fighting crime, Darren Tong, is on a mission to take out the vicious and greedy local mobster Tony Lau (Dacascos) and his cutthroat ring of drug smugglers. But if he hopes to bring down Lau and cripple his notorious crime syndicate, Tong must team up with a sexy undercover agent and infiltrate the bloodthirsty gang! If you're an action fan who demands adrenaline-pumping excitement, nothing hits harder than CHINA STIRKE FORCE! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Mark Dacascos is the real star
Although the other actors make a decent effort, it's obvious that Mark Dacascos is the one who really knows what he's doing. While the others use wires to make themselves look good, Mark doesn't, and he still looks better.

Disecting the story would be pretty pointless. It's standard fare and offers nothing revolutionary, but as with all martial arts movies it's what you come to expect. Kind of a shame really, but anytime I can watch Mark is ok with me.

There is a rather touching performance dealing with the death of a character and the girls are lovely. Again, if you're looking for something deep this isn't the movie for you.

Above Average Action from Director of "Rumbles in the Bronx"
This is an average Hong kong actioner with its cast from diverse countries. From Hong Kong, upcoming star Arron Kwok appears as a special agent in Shanghai while America provides Coolio as a drug lord and Mark Dacascos as a gangster hungry for money and power (rare case for him to play a bad guy). Plus from Taiwan you get singer Leehom Wang as Kwok's hot-shot sidekick, and Japan also sends its popular actress Norika Fujiwara as a mysterious spy. It is obvious that "China Strike Force" (in Japan where I saw it, it was called "Spy_N") is made for international market, and whether it succeeds or not, I don't know, but as an action film it fares better than many other outings from Hong Kong, where you can see no longer Jackie, Chow, or maestro Woo constantly.

And the story is about a Chinese police team of Arron Kwok and Leehom Wang, who must stall some plot of a joint force of Chinese crime syndicate (Dacascos) and American gangster (Coolio), about some drug deal, but it is just a usual excuse to carry on 90 minutes of exciting actions and dull dialogues. Just wait till the film kicks off its action scenes, which are quite impressive.

There are two things that you might be interested. Director Stanley Tong is famous for Jackie Chan films, especially "First Strike" and "Rumbles in the Bronx" (the latter reaching the No. 1 box-office hit in US), and ... (embarrasing silence) ... Lesley Nelsen's "Mr. Magoo." His first Holywood film was surely a bomb. But he went back to his roots, real Hong-Kong actioner, and made a pretty good one, even though it sometimes goes to far, showing too much superflous viloence.

Another thing is that the location is not in Hong-Kong, but in Shanghai, and that may add some value to the film. This means it was shot in China, not in a rather crowded city of Hong Kong, so the actions are done with a larger scale as a result, and especailly the following two -- a "Driven"-like car chase sequence, and the final action using helicopter carrying a car and a glass panel held at the deadly height -- is very exciting.

Great Action--Acting? I dont speak a lick of Chinese
The action in this movie is outstanding, the helicopter/glass pane scene is unreal, I loved it!--I am pretty sure the acting is pretty bad but I have watched this twice, once with Cantonese and the second time with the Mandarin DTS track (my girlfriend speaks Mandarin so when I saw it again with her she was happy) and I had to work with English subtitles. The DTS encoding is superb and the Lfe channel made my couch move a few feet to the right. And I can't forget Norika Fujiwara, she is one of my favorite foreign actresses, not to mention the fact that she is gorgeous (sharing the level of beauty with Shu Qui and Zhang Zhiyi)--and she is outstanding in this movie, you can't take your eyes off of her.

Diverse Cast, fairly good story
Although this movie was not one of the greatest Hong Kong movies I have ever watched, it was quite enjoyable.

Synopsis (taken from back): Two young and handsome cops Darren and Alex watch the charity event, and suddenly an assassination occurs. Alex follows the assassin and suspects the beautiful woman, Norika, with move of taking something off from the victim's jacket pocket. Actually, she's a Japanese interpol agent. Darren and Alex try to save Norika who is trapped, but in the midst of the bullet showers, Alex dies heroicall. Darren on a quest to save Norika and revenge for Alex, he pursues them relentlessly and defeats the gang in a high-octane action sequence involving helicopters, and fights on a large glass plane...

**I know the translation is bad, but that is what is written on the back cover.**

I have to say the fight sequences are well choreographed. Mark Dacascos looks great, Coolio does a passable job of the typical ghetto gangster, Aaron Kwok has improved in acting and his mandarin, the other actors performed well also. There is a great deal of English dialogue but it does not detract from the movie.

I am sure that audiences will really enjoy the helicopter fight sequence as well as the fight on the large glass pane fifty stories in the air...

I hope this was helpful. ... Read more

Description

A bold kidnapping foreshadows a desperate plan by the lusty female leader of a deadly army of mercenaries. It is simple: transform Freeman - the enigmatic leader of the powerful crime syndicate The 108 Dragons - into a mindless "killing machine" fueled by desire and self-indulgence. Once again Freeman is forced to fight for his life, this time against combat-hardened "gladiators."Later, Freeman must ferret out a traitor bent on destroying The 108 Dragons. Freeman's final pulse-pounding battle is bracketed by a bittersweet journey of enlightenment punctuated by vice, violence and vengeance.Contains 2 complete episodes! ... Read more

Reviews (18)

THIS MOVIE IS AWESOME DUDES!
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST AWESOME MOVIES I HAVE SEEN IN MY LIFE. IT IS TOO COOL. "DOUBLE DRAGON" BEATS OUT "SUPER MARIO BROTHERS", "STREET FIGHTER", "MORTAL KOMBAT", "MORTAL KOMBAT: ANNIHILATION", AND DEFINETELY "POKEMON: THE FIRST MOVIE". YOU PEOPLE WHO GAVE THIS MOVIE BAD REVIEWS SHOULD BE ASHAMED. THIS MOVIE IS JUST TOO COOL. I LOVE IT. TOO BAD THEY CAN'T MAKE A SEQUEL. I RECCOMEND THIS MOVIE TO ANYONE, EVEN THE NON VIDEO-GAME FAN.

TERRIBLE
This is one of the worst movies I have ever seen in my whole life! Well I didn't actually see it - I watched 20 mins and I just couldn't stand it anymore! It's THAT bad!

NO good
This movie was very boring. It had terrible acting. I was excited to watch it for the first time cz I loved the cartoon show but the movie messed everything up.

"Don't call me Dragonfly!!!"
DOUBLE DRAGON can best be described as America's early introduction to Jackie Chan-style matrial arts movies. The two heroes (played by Mark Dacascos and Scott Wolf) are blackbelts who emerge out of fights unharmed by using there martial arts skils, but also using whatever props and tools they can get their hands on (the parking cone, for example.)

It has just enough comedy in it too. So that's how it is a Jackie Chan-style kung fu flick. It was critically trashed in it's day, and ended up being a box office ghost, but it deserved much better. Make no mistake, It is suitable for family viewing, but it also is enjoyable to martial arts fans and fans of the source video game. There's something in it for everyone.

DOUBLE DRAGON tells the story of the future in L.A. It is now called "New Angeles" after a horrible earthquake has partially submerged the city in water. Evil businessman Koga Shuko (Robert "T-1000" Patrick, who does these roles in his sleep) is seeking to get his hands on a mystical chines amulet known as the "Double Dragon". It was split into two halves, but whoever could possess and unite both halves who attain godly power. Koga already has one halve in his possesion, but the other half belongs to Satori Imada (Julia Nickson), who is the adoptive mother of martial arts expert brothers Jimmy and Billy Lee (Mark Dacascos and Scott Wolf). Koga is hot on their trail, and Jimmy and Billy join to stop Koga and save the world.

The story is one that is more than adequate enough to build a video-game-based-martial-arts-movie on, but that's just one of DOUBLE DRAGON's virtues. The movie is so crammed with action that it's almost impossible to imagine why it was so overlooked in it's day. In their first appearance onscreen, the Lee brothers establish theie martial arts credentials at a tournament, and things only go uphill from there.

Dacascos and Wolf and just as good actors as they are karate experts. They actually not only can act, but also look young enough to be playing brothers who are 17 or 18 years old. If you doubt this, then here's a little FYI. In 1994 (when DOUBLE DRAGON was released) Wolf was 26 years old, and Dacascos was 30!!! This may be the only kung fu movie Wolf has done, but not Dacascos. In fact, he recently played the bad guy in the Jet Li martial arts flick, CRADLE 2 THE GRAVE (which I plan on immediately buying.)

Julia Nickson is also very watachable, playing apparantly the only person who cares enough about the Lees to take them in. She even gets to do alittle fighting in the movie. As for Patrick, This may not go down in history next to his T2 villian, but it does in my book.

That Double Dragon medallion really is something, too. Satori's half gives "power over the body", allowing the wearer to become impervious to injury or death, just take anything and shake it right off. Koga's half gives "power over the soul", allowing the wearer to turn himself into some kind of ghost and take possesion of any human body. If I had that kind of power, I wouldn't even need to study Tae Kwon Do.

In closing, I would just like to say, DOUBLE DRAGON rules baby!!! Buy it, now!!!

Double the fun!
From my point of view this movie is great!It may not be as good as the game but is still good.There are some funny parts and no swearing.Just to let you know that this movie is double the fun and double action.And also this is double dragon! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

It's got Mark....
And that's about it. Yes, it's little more than a display of Mark's abilities as a martial artist and his charm shines through what is basically a lousy movie. There's poor performance everywhere and plot holes even I couldn't ignore. Mark goes to the police after seeing his friend killed and the chief says there's no evidence. NO EVIDENCE???!!! What would you call a first hand account of the murder?

Ok, let's look at the good points. Um...Mark. I loved watching his various workouts, especially the one towards the end where he's standing outside the ranch house. He makes a gesture which seems to move the flock of sheep about him. Mere serendipity I assume, but effective. He then proceeds to show off some back flips and an arrow break on his neck, which he learned from his father, Al.

It's for movies like this that DVD's were invented. You can fast forward past the parts you don't like. Which sadly, are too plentiful in this movie.

Formula All the Way
The original KICKBOXER with Jean Claude Van Damme was an interesting movie that dealt with issues of overcoming one's limits. When Van Damme did not wish to reprise his role of the kickboxer, Sasha Mitchell tried valiantly in three more sequels, but his juvenile appearance and limited martial arts ability hindered his performances. Now in KICKBOXER 5, director Kristine Peterson uses Mark Dacascos, who also tries, but as with Sasha Mitchell, his acting does not convince. Part of the problem with the sequels, including this one, is that the role of the villain is at least as important as that of the hero's. In the original, Michele Quisi is Tong Po, a believable Thai kickboxing thug. Quisi was a multi-layered antagonist, who, in his kicking the wall in an early scene, set the tone that here was a brute not to be trifled with. In the sequel KB2, Quisi returns, even if Van Damme does not, and it is his performance that saves the film. In KB5, the villain is James Ryan, who simply does not look menacing enough to act as the dramatic foil to Dacascos. Ryan is simply playing out, rather than playing, the demented leader of an outlaw kickboxing federation whose inner council ought to see that their chief is leading them to ruin. You would think that any leader who kills his own minions ought to worry about their continuing loyalty. The plot, of course, is nonsense. It involves the usual absurdities of a warped thug (Ryan), who tries to collar all the world's kickboxing titles as his own personal property even as all his henchmen try to tell him that by doing so, he is compromising his (and their) other vital interests. Dacascos refuses to join Ryan's outlaw federation and spends the majority of the film battling first Ryan's inept goons then Ryan himself in a climactic concluding confrontation that seemed not climactic at all. There is absolutely nothing in KB5 that rings true or makes one want to wish for a KB6.

Kickboxer Fans Save Your Time!
Fans of the Kickboxer series will be dissapointed by this fifth installment which has nothing to do with the previous entries except for the fact that David Sloan is killed in the opening. Sasha doesn't show up, it's just a siloutte of another actor.

The characters are pretty boring and the film itself is very tame for an R-rating though Dascasos use of the word "buttface" could be a bit extreme for some.

The film could have gone without attaching the Kickboxer name to it. Even on its own two feet, this movie isn't very good and I am somewhat a fan of the lead (Mark Dascasos).

KICKBOXER 5 THE REDEPTION
VERY DISSAPPOINTING,HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE KICKBOXING SAGA,A PRODUCTION THE COULD OF DONE WITHOUT,DAVID SLOAN DIES.........LOL.COMMON REALLY EVEN I COULDNT BELIEVE IT,SEE THE MOVIE FOR A GOOD LAUGH,NOTHING ELSE.

Yes, indeed average...
...was this movie of Mark Dacascos, one of my favorite Martial Arts-actors of all time. That was one of his rookie movies in that he played a character who wants to avenge " his firned's" death (as usual in these kinds of movies) Of course this plot was immediately predictable and showed some bad acting. If Mark wouldn't have played in this movie I'd give this video 2 stars right away. But luckily it's not as halfwitted as it seems. I actually enjoyed Reeves and Croft teaming up together.

Overall I'd say Mark has done better movies like Only the Strong and Drive. ... Read more

Description

In the future, death is only the beginning. In the tradition of such science fiction classics as "Blade Runner" and "Escape From New York" comes a terrifying vision of a future unlike any seen before. When John Wade (Rutger Hauer) tries to smuggle fantasy chips for the city's cyberjunkies, he is betrayed by his partner, Merrick (Mark Dacascos), and killed. Authorities resurrect him with bio-synthetic cyber-implants to interrogate him regarding the Troika, a crime syndicate that counts Merrick as a member. Once alive, Wade escapes and begins an intensive search for Merrick in the underworld of the future--seedy cyber-slums and sex dens--to exact revenge on the traitor in a blaze of gunfire. After dodging assassins and scavenger bounty hunters, Wade realizes that in this world, he can trust no one. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Charismatic Mark Dacascos is the sensitive fighting machine fresh from prison who pays a visit to former cellmate Jaimz Woolvett, a shaggy drug addict hooked up with a motley gang. Dacascos wants out of the life but grudgingly agrees to tag along for a big score, which erupts into a chaotic double-cross that sends the crew scattered across L.A. and the two buddies out of town where their fragile relationship--based on the vestiges of a prison affair even they dare not discuss--begins to crack under Woolvett'scold-turkey cravings. The tension builds to a taut, slickly choreographed confrontation at a deserted hotel owned by zoned-out hippie surfer Frederic Forrest when a mob of vengeful drug dealers arrives for their violent revenge. It's a shame this modest Tarantino-esque grunge noir thrillergot lost in the theatrical shuffle, for writer-director Craig Hamann pulls together an engaging cast and gives the picture a solid, stylish look. The film pays off in an impressive climactic slugfest, in which kickboxer Dacascos finally gets to show off his stuff, but it's Hamann's sensitivity to character and his thoughtfully developed relationships that provide the solid foundation to this brooding low-budget thriller. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Amazon.com

Confirming the testosterone-laced promise he showed in the earlier Drive, the charismatically lithe Mark Decascos stars as buff man-of-the-cloth Father Luke, whose plans for a successful food drive are put on hold when a covert kill squad forces him to confront his shadowy past in this surprisingly effective bullet ballet. The needlessly complex high-tech story line may be somewhat shaky, but this adrenalized conspiracy thriller earns its wings by virtue of a strong cast (including a villainous Jaimz Woolvett, miles away from his role as the greenhorn gunslinger in Unforgiven), an impressively stylized lighting palette, and a jawdroppingly gonzo epilogue that cries out for--nay, demands--a sequel! Director Tibor Takacs was previouslyresponsible for two unfairly forgotten '80s horror gems The Gate and I, Madman.This nicely rendered DVD is presented in a pan-and-scan format only, but does feature production notes, a cast and crew bio, and an exceptionally lively sound mix. Recommended for viewers eager to add a little red meat to their cinematic diet. --Andrew Wright ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Ah. I spent to much to rent this
I was expecting this movie to be great considering this was the guy from Brotherhood of the Wolf. What a disappointment. I fast forward through alot but still couldn't bring myself to finish watching it. The plot is slow and the actions sequences look like a TV shows.

Could have been better, Sorry Guys!!!!!
I thought that this movie was slow I expected more martial arts and a lot better story line from this movie, having read all the reviews on this I thought that I was going to see this awesome movie but I was wrongly mistaken.

This movie had the potential there but it lost it and was quite confusing in bits as well as being slow.

My recommendation is to see the movie first before you buy it.

To Be or Not to Be?
This is a movie that requires you to sit and watch. NO leaving the room for more soda or pop corn or you will get lost! This is not your usual muscle man/beat'em up movie. It's a thought provoker, which is what I like about this movie. But you still get the action that Mark Dacascos is famous for...but he gets to stretch his acting muscles too. As for the title I chose for my review, it's as thought provoking as the movie. In the end; this is the choice that Mark's character(Father Luke) must make! After renting it, bought it!

Mark Dacascos best overall movie to date!!!
Without a doubt this is Mark's most complete movie to date. The intricate plot, stylish flashbacks, and unique camera angels, makes this more than your average straight to video. Tibor Tackas shows a very good touch. The ending begs for a sequel, and I would pay money to see it in the theater if one were to be made. This is the type of movie that Mark is able to show the moves that have made him the envy of the action genre actors, and object of desire from female fans, but he is also is allowed to actually act and show depth. Tibor Tackus should be thanked for giving us more Mark than I have seen in his previous movies to date, except for "Only The Strong", which I like equally as well as this.

Review
This has got to be one of the best thriller-suspense movies that I have been priveleged enough to see in quite some time. Mark Dacascos shows both his acting ability (from killer to priest) and his martial arts capabilities in this 'secret agency' thriller. The ending is what will get anybody and everybody. This is a must see for anyone who loves action and thrills. It's even good for those men who love for things to explode. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Very well done
Very good action movie, with excellent acting by Mark Dacascos. He brings depth and intensity to the role, and with a look can you can tell his thoughts and emotional state. I am also very impressed with his ability to play different characters in his movies, instead of playing the same character over and over like some of the more famous actors.

No frills at THE BASE
THE BASE is an overall average film. Clearly the actors' talents are not put to full use. Mark Dacascos' excellent martial arts skills are supressed to appear like a good street fighter, not the impressive military weapon he is suppose to portray. The story line is interesting, but is weakened by the poor ending of this action film. The good guy wins, but it is a dismal victory. The nudity added to The Base does not really flow with the story line. The director clearly failed in this film. The acting in this film is very good, but the camera angles were not. I'm sure the actors were disappointed with the final product. THE BASE is worth seeing once. I suggest renting versus buying.

Mark Dacascos goes to the army...
An army major working undercover in a gang of army rebillions who deal with drugs. It was quite a good movie with an acceptable plot. . But still, regarding the fights, that was not quite the Mark Dacascos that I once knew from Drive. Mark's style in this movie was rather rough and rude instead of fancy and fun. And I think it's not Mark's fault that his fights weren't lookink this good. I think that the choreographer of the film didn't know how to use Mark's Martial Arts-ability. Maybe Mark's next movie will be a better one...

Mark truly know's how to act, and look's good doing it
It's gotta be the army clothes, that makes it more appealing to anybody who hasn'y watched this video yet, mark is an undercover army agent who has to get alot of evidence of crooked united states army men, and bring them to justice.

If you love Tim Abell....
You'll love this movie. While it's a tad on the short side of a great plot, it's great on action and acting from Tim Abell, who has been in other movies, such as "Strategic Command," and the Jerry Bruckheimer television series, "Soldier of Fortune, Inc/SOF: Special Ops Force." He has really grown as an actor and really comes across as a real psycho in this movie. As a former Army Ranger, Tim carries the role of an Army Seargeant very well.

And besides, any movie with Tim Abell in it is worth seeing! ... Read more

Description

When his daughter is kidnapped and held in exchange for diamonds, the leader of a crew of highly skilled urban thieves (DMX) forges an unlikely alliance with a Taiwanese Intelligence officer (Jet Li) to rescue her. Their race against the clock to find the precious stones ultimately unravels a plot to distribute a deadly new weapon of war. ... Read more

Reviews (69)

Plot finally outweighs the action.
'Cradle 2 the Grave' looks like it would be the typical martial arts action flick. But there is very little martial arts, and I thought the action was rather laid back as well. Seems that the Hollywood people are beginning to realize that there is room in the industry for action films with good stories and plots.

In 'Cradle', DMX portrays Tony Fait--a high-tech thief who goes into a building one expects to be well-guarded and steals fifty black diamonds. Of course, he has help. This is one of the best opening sequences I have ever seen. Perfectly timed.

Jet Li plays Su, an agent from Taiwan. He also wants the weird, black diamonds. So does everyone else. Fait and Su team up when Fait's daughter is kidnapped. All of this leads to the climax--another well timed cut between three fight sequences.

The movie only goes bad during the end credits. But I am giving this film five stars because I really enjoyed Anthony Anderson, who finally tones down and plays a more serious role--and he is able to remain funny at the same time.

Like action flicks? C2G does not disappoint!
Popular rapper DMX has teamed up in an earlier martial arts film with Steven Segal, and has stepped his role in action films up a notch with martial arts superstar Jet Li, who has (to my mind)established himself as one of the greatest martial arts stars of our time.

DMX's role is Tony Fait, a smooth (but somewhat excitable)master thief. He and his crew (including the lovely Gabrielle Union and his partner-in- crime from the afore-referenced "Exit Wounds" Anthony Anderson) break into a diamond exchange, and steal a cache of black diamonds. They were created by the Taiwanese government, and when agitated (kinda like what we saw as the principal weapon in the fifth Bond flick "Diamonds Are Forever") unleash incredible energy. They were originally stolen by the real bad guy Ling (Mark Dacascos), who intends to auction them off to a room full of worldwide nogoodnicks. Ling then abducts DMX's baby girl to ransom them back. And as they say, it is ON.

You cannot have these guys together without great fight scenes, and this movie does not disappoint. Li has an incredible nonchalance about himself, and actually fights (and easily handles, of course) his first few adversaries with one hand in his pocket! He has to use both hands, though, when he ends up in the middle of a brawl with a crew of Ultimate Fighters. Of course, he can, and does, without raising much of a sweat (but he does get around to tossing around a midget as a "weapon").

Just as he did in Exit Wounds, Tom Arnold provides some comic relief (among his best lines: "I cannot read Chinese, but I know cop in every language").

Forget about the folks who dog out this movie. The acting is just fine. This script does not call for Meryl Streep, and neither is it incredibly thought provoking screenplay. It does not need to be. It doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is, a slammin', ultra-violent, retribution filled, sexy action film. While I thought at first that the one-handed fight scenes were a bit much, as another reviewer noted, it does show another side of the virtuosity of Jet Li. And I don't really care whether Kelly Hu (bad-guy Ling's equally ultra-fine sidekick) would have beat down Gabrielle Union in two seconds "in real life". The two of them on the screen is worth seeing, in my humble opinion.

Like action movies? Then this one is for you. Enjoy it for what it is, and you will have spent a great ninety minutes.

yawn............................................
dmx knows his tired rap act is through,so now hes trying to spread his tired image into movies.is it any wonder his movies(AND EVERY MOVIE OF THIS KIND)barely make it to see a second weekend?the saving grace here is jet li(a minimal save).jet li is also in a massive decline and proved that action also needs acting/believable plot.every rapper acts the same way,they are interchangable/easily forgotten.since i rented this,im not so upset.can you imagine how the crowd was during and after movie?rowdy and uncontrollable as if they were on prison leave.to some extent,you can tell the charactor of a person by what entertains them.im pretty sure the males in the audience couldnt wait to be dmx tough and start some nonsense.we all know how tough guys are....tough from a distance and only with alot of backup.typical and pitifull.any monkey can direct movies this horrible,but how can people actually rush to see this?so very sad...............................

dissapointing
Only saw this movie because I'm a Jet Li fan. This is definately not one of his best movies, probably because he is redelegated to the role of sidekick. Some fights were decent but story wasn't very intertaining. DMX is only good at playing one role-gangbanger. Maybe he should stick to his day job.

A Solid Action Film
"Cradle 2 the Grave" stars Jet Li and DMX as an odd couple duo who must get back a package of black diamonds from a rogue Taiwanese intelligence agent. DMX plays Fait, a master thief who undertakes a very high-paying job to steal some black diamonds from a very high security vault. Jet Li plays the Taiwanese intelligence agent Su who has to get them back.

At first Fait and Su are opponents after the diamonds. When they are taken by Ling (Mark Dacascos) they team up to retrieve them. Su wants the diamonds and Fait wants his daughter Vanessa (Paige Hurd) back. Ling has kidnapped her as leverage against Fait.

"Cradle 2 the Grave" also stars Anthony Anderson, Tom Arnold, Gabrielle Union, and Drag-On as Fait's assistants, willing and forced. They stage a raid on a deserted airfield where Ling is holding Fait's daughter and the diamonds.

As far as martial arts movies go, "Cradle 2 the Grave" isn't bad. Many of the fight scenes are too well choreographed though and far too Matrixy in the way the actors bodies seemingly mock gravity. I seriously doubt that Jet Li can throw a 200 pound man about 20 feet through the air. This movie also makes the horrendous mistake of having one guy fight about 15 other guys one at a time. Just once I'd like to see all 10 or 15 guys jump the hero at one time and see how he gets out of it. I know that if I were one of those 15 guys, I'd be looking to take a cheap shot while he's working over one of the other guys.

My only real problem with this film is the title. What exactly are they referring to when they call it "Cradle 2 the Grave". Ususally that term is reserved for discussions about Swedish social programs. At no time in this movie did Jet Li and DMX expound upon the benefits of an all-encompassing social safety net vis-a-vis the social benefits of a low-tax economic policy to foster long-term wealth production and distribution. Then again, the movie producers didn't even have enough time to spell out the word 'to'; so, I do