Movie Review: Justin - Devon plays Kira (the Yakuza head's daughter)
War begins with guys killing each other, then more guys kill each other... and then, yet even more guys kill each other. A dash of torture is tossed in to break the monotony, and of course, there's the mandatory car chase, then... more guys kill each other.
The writer has ensured us there's never a shortage of people to kill. Yep, even the main character's wife and daughter get brutally murdered here... in fact, anyone who happens to be within close vicinity of a hero's/villain's gun, just like a poor old chef and his hapless waitress, get mercilessly slaughtered too.
Somewhere, hidden in this blood fest, is a thinly disguised plot about justifiable revenge (not to be mistaken for mindless violence)... yeah, sorta like, murder with honor.
So... where does Devon fit into all this ???
Well, she first shows up just in time to watch her old man chop off a guy's ear.
And the producers, presumably, hoping their movie might attract a run in the French art-house venues, ask Devon to speak a little Japanese to her on-screen father. (For the unsophisticated mono-lingual viewers, subtitles are kindly provided)
Later on, she shoves a four barreled gun in some dude's face while holding a knife at the throat of another dude.. then, instead of killing either of them, she orders a salad... yeah, "with dressing on the side".
In her next scene, Devon clearly demonstrates she is not impressed about having to stand around in the background, wearing an ass-grabbing tight leather skirt, just having to look sexy.
The director, obviously intending to utilize Devon's considerable talents as an international fashion model, was equally unimpressed with Devon's defiant pose.
In her dramatic final scene, the director required Devon to put on a really distressed expression as she opens up a parcel to find it contains her old man's severed head. Devon has never had any problems looking miserable, therefore the director was duly impressed... it's the smile she has problems with.
So in spite of the Art Department's admirable work providing Devon with clear and bold subtitles... unfortunately, Devon's character, well... failed her father.
Unbelievably, at the end of all this gratuitous violence, the two main characters (Jet Li and Jason Statham) get all moralistic, spouting noble reasons for the seemingly endless carnage... which, in fact, was driven solely by raw vengeance.
Then, mercifully... the credits roll.
It must be made clear, the last picture of Devon is not of her seeing her father's severed head from the movie. It's a photo of Devon, totally stressed out, wondering why she signed the contract to feature in this absurd movie in the first place.
Okay, so I had a little fun with this review... but I didn't think the movie rated serious comment. The plot was unrealistic, unoriginal and plain boring.
Even for those who enjoy violent action thrillers, 'War' seems to offer nothing new. The fight sequences in Devon's previous movie 'DOA: Dead or Alive' were better choreographered... and 'DOA' never pretended to be anything other than pure fantasy.
War's only saving grace was it's neat and unpredictable (although wildly improbable) twist at the end. But that wasn't enough, to my way of thinking, to justify the movie ever being financed.
'War' (re-titled 'Rogue Assassin') was soon pulled off the cinemas in Sydney Australia for lack of attendance. Actually, 'War' was originally titled 'Rogue', but that name was already taken by an Australian film about a man-eating crocodile !!!
Hopefully the future might see Devon offered more substantial roles, roles that demand a little acting proficiency, maybe in a serious drama. If she keeps accepting these minor roles in fantasy/action films, she'll never be considered a serious actress. Perhaps Devon takes on these roles simply to gain experience.
Visit the Internet Movie Database for a balance of reviews on 'War'... many are quite positive.
CREDITS: Review & image captures from the War DVD by The Devon Aoki Appreciation Society