An irreverent send up of action movie cliches that also manages to revel gleefully in them. It's got Clive Owen completely drenched in dedication, its got a bad guy that can't even give a good monologue, its got guns that only need reloading when it's convenient, its got one liners that laugh in the face at the very concept of a one liner.
It's got a dark sense of humour but in the same sort of way that something like South Park does; It's harmless, with creative action and some truly laugh out loud gags.
It's an indie-rock response to the seriousness of Bourne and the veneered ugliness of Bond. It acknowledges the silliness of action with all its love and heart. And post John Wick, I'm thinking it's time for more. Shoot Em Up is the Garth Merenghi pastiche of action rather than the Scary Movie parody. This film is not for everyone but it is for me.
376 Reviews
Sometimes more is more.
BA_Harrison22 September 2011
Given the choice, I prefer my action films to be as brutally realistic as possible, but if film-makers are insistent about going down the cartoonish violence route, they might as well go the whole nine yards, as in Shoot 'Em Up, a relentlessly OTT slam-bang actioner that starts out all guns blazing and doesn't call it quits until writer/director Michael Davis has thrown every possible crazy idea he can come up with onto the screen.
This wild, anything goes approach could be compared to the previous year's Crank, but unlike that film, which was crippled by unlikeable characters, unnecessary vulgarity and a glut of irritatingly showy editing tricks, Shoot 'Em' up remains a classy and often clever piece of film-making despite its highly preposterous plot: Davis's effective direction is cool and slick without resorting to migraine inducing visual gimmickry; stars Owen and Bellucci effortlessly ooze sex appeal and charisma, whilst Paul Giamatti, as ultra-vicious killer Hertz, is utterly loathsome; there are some inspired visual gags for the eagle-eyed; and the never-ending gun-play is both brilliantly inventive and absolutely blistering. Hell, the film even manages to deliver an ironic anti-gun message whilst all the bullets are flying and people are dying.
In short this film is everything Crank would dearly have loved to have been, and then some.
7.5 out of 10, rounded up to 8 for IMDb.
This wild, anything goes approach could be compared to the previous year's Crank, but unlike that film, which was crippled by unlikeable characters, unnecessary vulgarity and a glut of irritatingly showy editing tricks, Shoot 'Em' up remains a classy and often clever piece of film-making despite its highly preposterous plot: Davis's effective direction is cool and slick without resorting to migraine inducing visual gimmickry; stars Owen and Bellucci effortlessly ooze sex appeal and charisma, whilst Paul Giamatti, as ultra-vicious killer Hertz, is utterly loathsome; there are some inspired visual gags for the eagle-eyed; and the never-ending gun-play is both brilliantly inventive and absolutely blistering. Hell, the film even manages to deliver an ironic anti-gun message whilst all the bullets are flying and people are dying.
In short this film is everything Crank would dearly have loved to have been, and then some.
7.5 out of 10, rounded up to 8 for IMDb.
Hilarious comedy, unrealistic action
badger_gal2917 September 2007
People who rate this movie poorly obviously do not realize that it is a comedy. If you go into it hoping for awesome action and realistic events, prepare to be disappointed. The entire movie is just completely ridiculous action sequences that not only would never happen but never COULD happen in any possible way. It's as if someone took every action scene that got cut from other action movies for being too outrageous or physically impossible and jammed them all into one movie. That is what makes it so funny! There were scenes with no dialogue that had me rolling with laughter. There aren't any dull moments either with someone getting shot pretty much every 10 seconds. The movie was not what I was expecting, but ended up SO much better. It's just plain fun!
Utter nonsense but yet it works as a both a pastiche and tribute to gun-crazy action movies
bob the moo13 July 2008
Smith is minding his own business when he sees a heavily pregnant woman being pursued by an armed man. He defends her honour and, in the ensuing gun battle, he delivers her child just before she is shot. He flees with the infant but finds that the target is none other than the baby itself. Turning to a lactating prostitute for help, Smith remains a target for an increasing number of killers under the instruction of violent family man and contractor Hertz.
Let's get one thing out of the way here from the very start because I think it is one thing that all viewers can agree on whether you liked this film or not it is utter nonsense. Not "silly" or "lacking logic" but just out and out nonsense. OK, so now that we have agreed that, what we shall disagree on is just how important that is in regards the enjoyment of this film. You see the film actually works on two very important levels which I think probably explains why it is generally well regarded on this site despite it being, well, nonsense. Instead of worrying about character and plotting and other things that most action films at least try to have, this just goes all out in a ballet of violence and guns that is about as close to action film pornography as I think I have ever seen. However at the same time it never takes itself seriously a fact proved by just how bad some of the gimmicks (the carrots) and dialogue is as well as just how overblown the action is.
By doing this the film hits two audience sectors. Mostly obviously it will appeal to those who just love to see things explode, people die and guns look cool. No doubt it appeals to them because this is a film where the action is constant and even the sex scenes with gorgeous women turn into a gunfight where the phallic nature of the gun could not be made more obvious unless it had a pair of grenades taped either side of the barrel. It revels in violence and gun play, with the gun even forming a marriage band of sorts at one point. However what makes the film worth seeing is that it also appeals to those of us that like action but won't watch any old rubbish. Amazingly it does this by being so overblown and ludicrous that it actually takes the p1ss from the genre in a way that is fun to watch (and also allows those with intellectual aspirations to enjoy the violence while also distancing themselves from it). It sounds unlikely and it may have been a fluke but this is what the film does and it is really good.
I'm pretty sure it was planned because the cast seem sold on the sheer ridiculousness of it all. Owen is great in this dual action hero role and he puts himself 100% into it while also having his tongue in his cheek. Likewise Giamatti, who is not at his best here but yet still drives the mockery and effectiveness of his character. Bellucci concludes the starry cast with a so-so turn, which is perhaps understandable as she is solely here for her sex appeal (which is immense). The rest of the cast are either solid bit players with little to do or goons who fall over. Kudos to the effects department as well for the "baby", which manages to look real for the majority of the time.
Shoot 'Em Up is not a great film and it is based on nonsense but yet it somehow works. By being overblown to the degree it is, it works as both an excessive action film and also a pastiche on how excessive the action genre can be. It will not appeal to everyone even with this, but this made it work for me on both levels and it was much better than I expected it to be as a result.
Let's get one thing out of the way here from the very start because I think it is one thing that all viewers can agree on whether you liked this film or not it is utter nonsense. Not "silly" or "lacking logic" but just out and out nonsense. OK, so now that we have agreed that, what we shall disagree on is just how important that is in regards the enjoyment of this film. You see the film actually works on two very important levels which I think probably explains why it is generally well regarded on this site despite it being, well, nonsense. Instead of worrying about character and plotting and other things that most action films at least try to have, this just goes all out in a ballet of violence and guns that is about as close to action film pornography as I think I have ever seen. However at the same time it never takes itself seriously a fact proved by just how bad some of the gimmicks (the carrots) and dialogue is as well as just how overblown the action is.
By doing this the film hits two audience sectors. Mostly obviously it will appeal to those who just love to see things explode, people die and guns look cool. No doubt it appeals to them because this is a film where the action is constant and even the sex scenes with gorgeous women turn into a gunfight where the phallic nature of the gun could not be made more obvious unless it had a pair of grenades taped either side of the barrel. It revels in violence and gun play, with the gun even forming a marriage band of sorts at one point. However what makes the film worth seeing is that it also appeals to those of us that like action but won't watch any old rubbish. Amazingly it does this by being so overblown and ludicrous that it actually takes the p1ss from the genre in a way that is fun to watch (and also allows those with intellectual aspirations to enjoy the violence while also distancing themselves from it). It sounds unlikely and it may have been a fluke but this is what the film does and it is really good.
I'm pretty sure it was planned because the cast seem sold on the sheer ridiculousness of it all. Owen is great in this dual action hero role and he puts himself 100% into it while also having his tongue in his cheek. Likewise Giamatti, who is not at his best here but yet still drives the mockery and effectiveness of his character. Bellucci concludes the starry cast with a so-so turn, which is perhaps understandable as she is solely here for her sex appeal (which is immense). The rest of the cast are either solid bit players with little to do or goons who fall over. Kudos to the effects department as well for the "baby", which manages to look real for the majority of the time.
Shoot 'Em Up is not a great film and it is based on nonsense but yet it somehow works. By being overblown to the degree it is, it works as both an excessive action film and also a pastiche on how excessive the action genre can be. It will not appeal to everyone even with this, but this made it work for me on both levels and it was much better than I expected it to be as a result.
Entertaining enough
ncfc-canary3 October 2007
Some of the comments left by people on here show just how clueless movie goers can be. As if you can't tell that there's a slight tongue-in-cheek feel to the movie. Doesn't the stupidly high kill count or OTT methods used to kill people make that obvious to you? Does a movie with the title "Shoot em up" sound like a serious piece of work? Come on some of you just need to relax and use your brains a little.
I haven't much to say on the movie itself since its ones of those "entertained me but probably won't buy the DVD" films I so often see in cinemas. Acting was good, action was good, plot was OK. Go see it. If you love it - great, if you don't - oh well. It really is one of those kind of movies. Just remember not expect a serious film reminiscent of James Bond or Die Hard, OK?.
I haven't much to say on the movie itself since its ones of those "entertained me but probably won't buy the DVD" films I so often see in cinemas. Acting was good, action was good, plot was OK. Go see it. If you love it - great, if you don't - oh well. It really is one of those kind of movies. Just remember not expect a serious film reminiscent of James Bond or Die Hard, OK?.
Absurd fun.
dead475488 January 2008
A film that aims to be a parody on the extremeness and over-the-top tendencies of the action genre, and succeeds in becoming entertaining and exhilarating. I doubt there will be a more entertaining piece of work this year. It was so over-the-top and hilarious. Some of it did go a tid bit too far for me (the firefight while jumping out of a plane, the fact that there wasn't a single cop to be found) but all of the wild absurdity combined with an encompassing metal soundtrack and perfectly choreographed action made it one of the funnest movies I've ever seen. The clash of Clive Owen and Paul Giamatti certainly added a great stride to it, with Clive's deadpan hilarity and Giamatti's winning charisma. It's this extravagance and extreme unrealism that makes the film entertaining, but can also be a flaw from time to time. But it is absolutely impossible not to have an uproarious time watching Clive Owen shoot an umbilical cord to separate it from the mother, kill numerous people with a simple carrot, and (in my favorite scene of the film) have raunchy sex with Monica Bellucci whilst laying out an endless supply of armed hit men. Certainly something I could see myself re-watching time and time again.
Take it for what it is
Insane Ian4 September 2007
Wow. Shoot 'Em Up is exactly what it claims to be. An action movie. Balls to the wall, no holds barred, but nothing more. And that's exactly what you get. Don't go expecting high art...SEU doesn't take itself seriously enough for that. But that's exactly what makes it work. It KNOWS it's over the top, and doesn't try to hide it. Clive Owen's Smith character is the Bugs Bunny to Paul Giamatti's Hurtz Elmer Fudd. The film takes the best cartoon elements, makes them flesh, and still kicks in that over the top craziness. Bad puns that are so bad they're good, action sequences that there just for the sake of having an action sequence, and the wildest sex scene ever...it's amazing. It's the funniest, coolest, most amazing mix of stunts, bad one liners and paper think plot lines.
You get everything you expect from Shoot 'Em Up...and it's all great.
You get everything you expect from Shoot 'Em Up...and it's all great.
an outrageous parody
blanche-215 October 2015
Clive Owen, Paul Giamatti, and Monica Belluci star in "Shoot 'Em Up," a 2007 film that I believe is a parody of the action genre. It has to be.
Owen plays a former black ops who helps a woman deliver a baby and then finds himself on the run with the baby as hundreds of people chase him and shoot at him.
I won't go into the whys and wherefores. I will only say that it is non-stop action, with Owen shooting in all kinds of situations - sliding on oil leaks under cars, having sex, sitting, standing, running, jumping, parachuting out of a plane -- he never stops. When he's not shooting he's punching, knifing, or slamming someone's head somewhere. Or eating a carrot.
Monica Belluci is the hooker he asks to help care for the baby as the two of them run for their lives, the baby in tow wearing a bullet-proof vest.
The body count is unbelievable.
Exciting, fun, bloody, violent, and preposterous, you'll be on the edge of your seat rooting for him to make the world safe.
Someone once told me that movies are made for 15-year-old boys in Taiwan. This kind of action film definitely is. You can sit back and watch car chases, thermal guns, nudity, you name it - you don't need to know a word of English.
Clive Owen comes up against Paul Giamatti, and the two actors couldn't be more different. Owen is deadpan and deadly, Giamatti is a showman who can play an evil character like this or comedy with equal facility. I understand he recently played, of all things, Hamlet, and received wonderful reviews.
I really hope Clive Owen plays James Bond. I think he'd be wonderful.
Owen plays a former black ops who helps a woman deliver a baby and then finds himself on the run with the baby as hundreds of people chase him and shoot at him.
I won't go into the whys and wherefores. I will only say that it is non-stop action, with Owen shooting in all kinds of situations - sliding on oil leaks under cars, having sex, sitting, standing, running, jumping, parachuting out of a plane -- he never stops. When he's not shooting he's punching, knifing, or slamming someone's head somewhere. Or eating a carrot.
Monica Belluci is the hooker he asks to help care for the baby as the two of them run for their lives, the baby in tow wearing a bullet-proof vest.
The body count is unbelievable.
Exciting, fun, bloody, violent, and preposterous, you'll be on the edge of your seat rooting for him to make the world safe.
Someone once told me that movies are made for 15-year-old boys in Taiwan. This kind of action film definitely is. You can sit back and watch car chases, thermal guns, nudity, you name it - you don't need to know a word of English.
Clive Owen comes up against Paul Giamatti, and the two actors couldn't be more different. Owen is deadpan and deadly, Giamatti is a showman who can play an evil character like this or comedy with equal facility. I understand he recently played, of all things, Hamlet, and received wonderful reviews.
I really hope Clive Owen plays James Bond. I think he'd be wonderful.
Enjoyable and Extremely Funny
claudio_carvalho29 March 2008
In the middle of the night, while waiting for a bus in a bus station, a lonely stranger called Mr. Smith (Cliven Owen) sees a pregnant woman being chased by a man with a gun. He follows the couple, kills the man and helps the delivery of the baby in the middle of a shootout while a gang of hit-man tries to shoot them up. The woman is killed but Smith saves the baby, escaping from Hertz (Paul Giamatti), the leader of the killers. Then he meets the prostitute Donna Quintano (Monica Bellucci), who has just lost her baby, and asks her to breastfeed the newborn. They are chased by Hertz and Smith discovers the reason why the mean man wants to kill the baby.
"Shoot' Em Up" is an enjoyable and extremely funny action movie, with the gorgeous Monica Bellucci, the tough Clive Owen and he versatile Paul Giamatti playing cartoonist characters. This pleasant film was a great surprise and the DVD has been an excellent entertainment for this Saturday night. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Mandando Bala" ("Shooting Bullet")
"Shoot' Em Up" is an enjoyable and extremely funny action movie, with the gorgeous Monica Bellucci, the tough Clive Owen and he versatile Paul Giamatti playing cartoonist characters. This pleasant film was a great surprise and the DVD has been an excellent entertainment for this Saturday night. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Mandando Bala" ("Shooting Bullet")
Thin on plot, thick on action
Duellist27 July 2007
I rated this movie a 10 in the context of other action movies; it's nowhere near a 10 when compared to classics like Casablanca, but in it's genre, it accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do.
Clive Owen stars as "Smith" a guy with a past (that's slowly revealed during the crazy gun fights) who shows up as a knight in shining armor to a lady who is about to pop a baby and is being chased by baddies, headed up by Paul Giamatti. After he rescues the kid, he links back up with an old flame, DQ, played by Monica Bellucci. The movie starts out with a bang, quite literally and doesn't settle down the entire time. There's a plot somewhere in the movie, but if you think too hard, it'll disappear in a puff of logic.
That being said, the gunfights and car chases are stellar. They are lots of fun, with ridiculous things going on the entire time. Just suspend your reason & logic, strap into your theater seat and enjoy the ride.
Michael Davis spoke before the preview and said he was an action movie buff since the beginning and made the movie he wanted to make. As an action movie fan, I thank him!
Clive Owen stars as "Smith" a guy with a past (that's slowly revealed during the crazy gun fights) who shows up as a knight in shining armor to a lady who is about to pop a baby and is being chased by baddies, headed up by Paul Giamatti. After he rescues the kid, he links back up with an old flame, DQ, played by Monica Bellucci. The movie starts out with a bang, quite literally and doesn't settle down the entire time. There's a plot somewhere in the movie, but if you think too hard, it'll disappear in a puff of logic.
That being said, the gunfights and car chases are stellar. They are lots of fun, with ridiculous things going on the entire time. Just suspend your reason & logic, strap into your theater seat and enjoy the ride.
Michael Davis spoke before the preview and said he was an action movie buff since the beginning and made the movie he wanted to make. As an action movie fan, I thank him!
The most fun you will have at the movies
joe_momma98 September 2007
As I stated above, this movie is a fun ride. The script was probably written by a 13 year old kid who plays a lot of video games, but that's why it's great. You can just kick back, turn your brain off for 80 minutes, and enjoy. It is the ultimate guy movie. And for the one liners: as cheesy and lame as you could ask for. Shoot Em Up was made to entertain the 20 something action junkie, so if you aren't one, you will no doubt hate this flick. But for the rest of us, who all have that 13 year old immature video gamer still inside, you gotta see it. I think Clive Owen might be the first true action star Hollywood has had in a long time. One other enjoyable feature: great soundtrack. Shootout scene with Motorhead's "Ace of Spades" in the background: you can't ask for anything better. I give Shoot Em Up 8 out of 10.
Knowingly Absurd, Self-Consciously Ridiculous
Kalifire7 January 2009
The sole reason I watched this is because I love Paul Giamatti. It's easily the most ridiculous action film I have ever seen, but done with tongue placed as far as it can get into cheek. It's self-consciously absurd, with next to no plot, zero character development, awful dialogue and loads of guns. The performances are perfectly in sync with the rest of the movie (both Giamatti and Clive Owen play it completely straight, hitting just the right daft tone), and the whole thing achieves what it set out to do. It reminded me of the kind of movie you might watch at 11pm when you're 15 and it's way past your bedtime, then you go to school the next day, ask if anyone else saw it and it turns out all your mates did and you decide between you all that it's the best movie ever, talking endlessly about "did you see that bit when..." and saying things like "that was well bad!!" with big grins and a strong sense that you've just had a good long look through a window meant for grown ups. It's not good for anything much more than that, and nor was it ever meant to be. I quite enjoyed it!
Gun Porn At Its Best
unscripted16 September 2007
I wasn't really sure what to make of this movie before I went to the advanced screening. I heard from a friend of mine at the Chicago Tribune (she's female, and you'll see why that matters in a second) and she said, "It was so stupid! It was like, BANG BANG BANG, EXPLETIVE EXPLETIVE EXPLETIVE, BANG BANG BANG! Then gallons of blood and we move on." For some reason, the little boy in me that loved the scene in Predator where all of the soldiers shoot at open woods for a complete minute, got very excited. She wasn't kidding, either, that's just what this movie was. Don't worry about the plot, it's not really a concern. Don't worry about the script either, the lines are so over the top and shallow that you know a man wrote this script without allowing anyone to comment on it.
At the same time, this movie is just plain fun. You will find yourself laughing from the moment the movie starts to the ending (which you won't be glancing at your watch while waiting for). There are funny lines, funny situations, and stuff that is so impossible in the real world that you can't help but chuckle. Various moments during the film, I found myself applauding along with the audience, maybe not for the film, but for how writer/director Michael Davis got our hero out of another situation.
The directing, as opposed to the writing, was done very well, especially for a movie like this. If you take the directing too seriously, the script won't work, which is probably why Michael Davis did both. Clive Owen delivers another strong performance, adapting to the cheesy script and outrageous events like a participant in a prank or gag. Monica Bellucci plays the most serious role in the film, and still takes to mocking her life and situation in this movie like the rest of them. My favorite character would still have to be the sly Paul Giamatti, who is given some pretty crazy situations himself but they are coupled with the only lines of any intelligence (or longer than about four words).
By the end of this movie, I was having a lot of fun watching a plot unfold that I didn't really care about. That doesn't deter the film, though, because it's kind of like a stunt show, you're not really concerned with the story. I loved it and, apparently, so did most of the audience. It really reminded me of seeing, well, a live action movie that was more like a video game (we even have coordinated colors for the costumes of the "bad guys" in the various "levels"). I'd like to use this film as an example to my (former) favorite critic Roger Ebert as a perfect example of how video games can be construed in the same light as video games, because Roger, this is clearly a movie made by a large video game fan.
At the same time, this movie is just plain fun. You will find yourself laughing from the moment the movie starts to the ending (which you won't be glancing at your watch while waiting for). There are funny lines, funny situations, and stuff that is so impossible in the real world that you can't help but chuckle. Various moments during the film, I found myself applauding along with the audience, maybe not for the film, but for how writer/director Michael Davis got our hero out of another situation.
The directing, as opposed to the writing, was done very well, especially for a movie like this. If you take the directing too seriously, the script won't work, which is probably why Michael Davis did both. Clive Owen delivers another strong performance, adapting to the cheesy script and outrageous events like a participant in a prank or gag. Monica Bellucci plays the most serious role in the film, and still takes to mocking her life and situation in this movie like the rest of them. My favorite character would still have to be the sly Paul Giamatti, who is given some pretty crazy situations himself but they are coupled with the only lines of any intelligence (or longer than about four words).
By the end of this movie, I was having a lot of fun watching a plot unfold that I didn't really care about. That doesn't deter the film, though, because it's kind of like a stunt show, you're not really concerned with the story. I loved it and, apparently, so did most of the audience. It really reminded me of seeing, well, a live action movie that was more like a video game (we even have coordinated colors for the costumes of the "bad guys" in the various "levels"). I'd like to use this film as an example to my (former) favorite critic Roger Ebert as a perfect example of how video games can be construed in the same light as video games, because Roger, this is clearly a movie made by a large video game fan.
A wacky and disconcerting action thriller well packed with fun , high body count and violence galore
ma-cortes12 December 2020
An amusing film including thriller, noisy action, punches , and excessive violence with tongue deftly in cheek. This demystified as well as amible action movie deals with a man named Smith : Clive Owen takes care of a baby who he gets during a shootout. He joins forces a beautiful prostitute : Monica Bellucci and both of whom are mercilessly by a suspicious nasty : Paul Guilfoyle . Along the way chases and shootouts take place on and on until the unexpected finale . He isn't name , no past , nothing to lose. It's a better investment than a crib ?. I'm a British nanny, I'm dangerous .
A non-stop action movie with thrills , pursuits, mayhem, and lots of shootouts . A well-developed film with high quality , several surprises and nicely paced . A farcical and disconcerting action-comedy in which there are laughs , slapstick , violence, blood and gore. There are also various nutty roles and improbable happenings that wind out at a final apocalyptic . This violent as well as hilarious action movie is a sort of live-action equivalent of the cartoon series in Warner Bros style , adding action scenes with John Woo choreography . The surprising and twisted script besides having more than its fair scraps of funny lines , throws up sympathetic characters . Duo protagonists : Clive Owen and Mónica Bellucci are very well , while Paul Guilfoyle steals the show as the really baddy but likeable contender . And other secondaries in brief appearances as Stehen McHattie , Greg Bryk , and Daniel Pilon as Senator Rutledge . Nowadays, it is considered to be a cult fave of the early 2000s thanks to its twisted violence along with tongue-in-cheek humor .
The picture is finely amused and agreeable in spite of the high body count and gory events . Efficiently written and directed Michael Davis , though contains some repetitive scenes and eventually lost in camera trickery . Inexplicably, this Shoot'em up being his last one , and formerly making a few movies such as "Monster Man , 100 Girls, Eight Days a Week , Beanstalk and American Girls or Girl Fever" . Rating ; 7.5/10 . Worthwhile seeing . The flick will appeal to Clive Owen fans .
A non-stop action movie with thrills , pursuits, mayhem, and lots of shootouts . A well-developed film with high quality , several surprises and nicely paced . A farcical and disconcerting action-comedy in which there are laughs , slapstick , violence, blood and gore. There are also various nutty roles and improbable happenings that wind out at a final apocalyptic . This violent as well as hilarious action movie is a sort of live-action equivalent of the cartoon series in Warner Bros style , adding action scenes with John Woo choreography . The surprising and twisted script besides having more than its fair scraps of funny lines , throws up sympathetic characters . Duo protagonists : Clive Owen and Mónica Bellucci are very well , while Paul Guilfoyle steals the show as the really baddy but likeable contender . And other secondaries in brief appearances as Stehen McHattie , Greg Bryk , and Daniel Pilon as Senator Rutledge . Nowadays, it is considered to be a cult fave of the early 2000s thanks to its twisted violence along with tongue-in-cheek humor .
The picture is finely amused and agreeable in spite of the high body count and gory events . Efficiently written and directed Michael Davis , though contains some repetitive scenes and eventually lost in camera trickery . Inexplicably, this Shoot'em up being his last one , and formerly making a few movies such as "Monster Man , 100 Girls, Eight Days a Week , Beanstalk and American Girls or Girl Fever" . Rating ; 7.5/10 . Worthwhile seeing . The flick will appeal to Clive Owen fans .
Fantastic Fun
fezrok5 September 2007
Think about the title of the movie, because if you don't like that than just stay home. This movie lives up to its name in a fresh, fun and humorous way. Clive Owen is great as Mr. Smith, the coolest action hero I have seen in a long time. Paul Giammatti is witty and surprisingly enjoyable to watch as the bad guy. If you take this film too serious than you will not like it. Yes, it is a ridiculous film filled with non-stop action that would never be humanly possible, babies being thrown around but yet staying protected by the humorous Mr. Smith. This film was so fun and yes over the top, but if you expect anything more you probably will be disappointed. The violence was very extravagant, but what else did you expect from this title? It is the sort of violence that doesn't really bother you in a film. It's flashy and well, it's entertainment. Just like this movie, it was entertaining and I loved it.
Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang
misbegotten28 September 2008
Most of the early reviews of Shoot 'em Up described it as being one long, non-stop, ninety minute action sequence, without any plot or characterisation whatsoever. I'd disagree with such assessments, though the action scenes are fast, furious and frequent. Reviewers who argue that this movie bears no relation to reality and is filled with ridiculous stunts that ignore the laws of physics are missing the point: Shoot -em Up is clearly intended to be a satire. Director Michael Davis knows how ridiculous and excessive the big-budget Hollywood action film has become, and so has made a movie that celebrates the glorious absurdities of the genre, while simultaneously poking fun at it's in-built outlandishness (Davis isn't the first film-maker to go down this route. For other examples that adopt the same approach, see Con Air, the Charlie's Angels films, Torque, and the more subtle & misunderstood Escape From LA).
Prior to release, much was spoken about Shoot 'em Up being a homage/tribute to John Woo, and while there are some typical Woo-style flourishes, the general tone of the movie reminds me more of The Replacement Killers, while some of the gunfights seem clearly inspired by Kurt Wimmer, writer/director of the cult hit Equilibrium and the under-rated Ultraviolet. You sense that this was a film which the cast all had fun making, especially Paul Giamatti, who's clearly enjoying himself enormously as a sleazy, pitbull-like henchman.
Prior to release, much was spoken about Shoot 'em Up being a homage/tribute to John Woo, and while there are some typical Woo-style flourishes, the general tone of the movie reminds me more of The Replacement Killers, while some of the gunfights seem clearly inspired by Kurt Wimmer, writer/director of the cult hit Equilibrium and the under-rated Ultraviolet. You sense that this was a film which the cast all had fun making, especially Paul Giamatti, who's clearly enjoying himself enormously as a sleazy, pitbull-like henchman.
Love-Hate
archimegabeto8 September 2007
As the subject line implies, you will either love or hate this movie. It has been said before, but this is strictly a non-stop, no-brainer shooter. DO NOT EXPECT ANY: back-story, great comedy, acting, directing or soundtrack (unless you are under 25). DO EXPECT: outrageous stunts, gratuitous violence, one-liners, carrot eating, a nerdy bad guy, babysitting and "heavy metal" at every, and I do mean EVERY, sign of action.
I am being to-the-point because the film is an action movie like no other. It was not meant to be taken seriously and delivers what it promises, shooting -- non-stop shooting. The movie has no depth and it was not meant to. If you want to see Clive Owen shoot an endless amount of bad guys, you have come to the right place!
This review is meant to be as neutral as possible; I did not enjoy the film, but you might. Again, you will either love or hate it, no in between. My girlfriend and I did stay until the end, upon her request. The best comparison I can make is if you want to watch a film adaptation of a first person shooter video game along the lines of "Max Payne" this is for you. If you want more bang for your buck, no pun intended, watch "The Bourne Ultimatum." Wait until it is out on DVD, you will enjoy it more or not feel as bad when you wasted your time. :)
I am being to-the-point because the film is an action movie like no other. It was not meant to be taken seriously and delivers what it promises, shooting -- non-stop shooting. The movie has no depth and it was not meant to. If you want to see Clive Owen shoot an endless amount of bad guys, you have come to the right place!
This review is meant to be as neutral as possible; I did not enjoy the film, but you might. Again, you will either love or hate it, no in between. My girlfriend and I did stay until the end, upon her request. The best comparison I can make is if you want to watch a film adaptation of a first person shooter video game along the lines of "Max Payne" this is for you. If you want more bang for your buck, no pun intended, watch "The Bourne Ultimatum." Wait until it is out on DVD, you will enjoy it more or not feel as bad when you wasted your time. :)
Too much fun for words
bowmanblue8 October 2018
I'm lobbying for a new film genre to sit alongside the existing ones such as drama, science-fiction, horror and comedy. The new category I'm proposing would be 'Snakes on a Plane.' Besides the obvious Samuel L Jackson film, this genre should be populated with films that tell you everything you need to know about them from the title, thus giving you everything you need to know about whether or not you will enjoy them without sitting down to watch. 'Shoot 'em Up' falls into the 'Snakes on a Plane' category perfectly.
The film 'Shoot 'em Up' is about shooting and killing things. With guns. And carrots (you'll have to watch the film to see whether I'm being serious about the 'carrots' comment). A man, Clive Owen eating a carrot incidentally, witnesses some thugs hunting down a clearly distressed pregnant woman. He just so happens to be possibly the most highly-trained man with a gun in the world - and the perfect person to protect an infant in danger. From then on he takes on every dispensable thug and paid lackey in the entire city, much to the dismay of head bad-guy, Hertz (Paul Giamatti).
Besides the obvious clue in the title as to what the film is about, the only other thing you really need to know is that it NEVER takes itself seriously. 'Shoot 'em Up' knows that it's ludicrously daft and brilliantly over-the-top and it just gets better and better. The action/shooting scenes are clearly the high-points and each one attempts to outdo the last, creating battles in places you probably never thought you'd see and ways of using a gun/bullets that will delight anyone with an appreciation for overblown action scenes.
There's a loose plot, but I won't go into it. It's totally secondary to the gunfights. However, the film is more than just action - largely thanks to its two main stars. There's more than a few references to 'Looney Tunes' and Paul Giamatti stands in for the long-suffering Elmer Fudd as he attempts to track down his Bugs Bunny, the mysteriously-titles 'Mr Smith' (Clive Owen). The two play off each other perfectly and you won't just laugh at how over-the-top the gun scenes are, but also with their constant banter. There are few bad guys you'll love as much as Paul Giamatti!
If you like your films serious and realistic then steer well clear. However, if you like tongue-in-cheek and want something to lose yourself in while you leave your brain at the door, then you'll have everything you want here. If you've also seen either of Jason Statham's 'Crank' films then you'll know roughly the sort of film you're getting here.
The film 'Shoot 'em Up' is about shooting and killing things. With guns. And carrots (you'll have to watch the film to see whether I'm being serious about the 'carrots' comment). A man, Clive Owen eating a carrot incidentally, witnesses some thugs hunting down a clearly distressed pregnant woman. He just so happens to be possibly the most highly-trained man with a gun in the world - and the perfect person to protect an infant in danger. From then on he takes on every dispensable thug and paid lackey in the entire city, much to the dismay of head bad-guy, Hertz (Paul Giamatti).
Besides the obvious clue in the title as to what the film is about, the only other thing you really need to know is that it NEVER takes itself seriously. 'Shoot 'em Up' knows that it's ludicrously daft and brilliantly over-the-top and it just gets better and better. The action/shooting scenes are clearly the high-points and each one attempts to outdo the last, creating battles in places you probably never thought you'd see and ways of using a gun/bullets that will delight anyone with an appreciation for overblown action scenes.
There's a loose plot, but I won't go into it. It's totally secondary to the gunfights. However, the film is more than just action - largely thanks to its two main stars. There's more than a few references to 'Looney Tunes' and Paul Giamatti stands in for the long-suffering Elmer Fudd as he attempts to track down his Bugs Bunny, the mysteriously-titles 'Mr Smith' (Clive Owen). The two play off each other perfectly and you won't just laugh at how over-the-top the gun scenes are, but also with their constant banter. There are few bad guys you'll love as much as Paul Giamatti!
If you like your films serious and realistic then steer well clear. However, if you like tongue-in-cheek and want something to lose yourself in while you leave your brain at the door, then you'll have everything you want here. If you've also seen either of Jason Statham's 'Crank' films then you'll know roughly the sort of film you're getting here.
The worst movie I've seen this year...
chris_dm12 September 2007
It's official. This is the worst movie I've seen this year. I find this rather unfortunate because I had been anticipating Shoot 'Em Up for quite some time and had heard many good things about it.
The action was so redundant I was bored out of my mind. The dialogue was god awful and corny. It also failed as a comedy because I think there was only one (maybe two) parts where I laughed.
I wasn't expecting a ton of plot or characterization going in but I was expecting an entertaining movie which this failed terribly at being. By all rights it feels like it was written by a high school student.
So many plot holes are present and the director expects the audience to have way too many suspensions of disbelief. I understand something being over the top but when a filmmaker chooses to completely disregard reality, common sense, and psychics it's not only lazy but insulting.
I was expecting something clever but instead got something dumb and trite. Rather than being a parody of the action genre it merely managed to sink lower than the worst case scenarios of bad movie making and become a prime example of a genre at its absolute worst. I'm honestly amazed at the amount of positive feedback this movie is receiving.
The action was so redundant I was bored out of my mind. The dialogue was god awful and corny. It also failed as a comedy because I think there was only one (maybe two) parts where I laughed.
I wasn't expecting a ton of plot or characterization going in but I was expecting an entertaining movie which this failed terribly at being. By all rights it feels like it was written by a high school student.
So many plot holes are present and the director expects the audience to have way too many suspensions of disbelief. I understand something being over the top but when a filmmaker chooses to completely disregard reality, common sense, and psychics it's not only lazy but insulting.
I was expecting something clever but instead got something dumb and trite. Rather than being a parody of the action genre it merely managed to sink lower than the worst case scenarios of bad movie making and become a prime example of a genre at its absolute worst. I'm honestly amazed at the amount of positive feedback this movie is receiving.
Well. Well. Well....
yadavanita-1809325 February 2020
Raw Violence fun
dadbodmedicnate8 December 2022
This movie is quite entertaining.
Saw this movie years ago and loved it. Finally found it again to rewatch and review. I still love it.
This movie is quote stupid when it comes to realism but amazing in the fun and imagination of violence and raw gun play.
Be sure to leave your politics at the door!
Love the carrot, love the gore. Love Clive Owen and Paul Giamatti. Such great combos! I mean its just truly brilliant and hilarious.
So, I highly recommend that everyone see this underrated gem and enjoy it not for its realism nor its politics but for its imagination and fun. Such entertainment is rare.
Saw this movie years ago and loved it. Finally found it again to rewatch and review. I still love it.
This movie is quote stupid when it comes to realism but amazing in the fun and imagination of violence and raw gun play.
Be sure to leave your politics at the door!
Love the carrot, love the gore. Love Clive Owen and Paul Giamatti. Such great combos! I mean its just truly brilliant and hilarious.
So, I highly recommend that everyone see this underrated gem and enjoy it not for its realism nor its politics but for its imagination and fun. Such entertainment is rare.
Over the top violence that delivers thrills and laughs aplenty
Tweekums10 October 2019
As this film opens our protagonist, known only as Smith, is sitting at a bus stop eating a carrot; a heavily pregnant woman runs past pursued by an armed man. Smith goes to her aid. More gunmen turn up and he dispatches them as the woman gives birth. As they flee she is killed and he is left holding the baby. One might think that was the end of his problems but it soon emerges that the killers are targeting the baby! Smith enlists the help of Donna, a prostitute who is lactating, to care for the baby and together they try to escape. Smith uses what few clues he has to figure out why anybody would be so desperate to kill this baby. All the time the killers, led by a man named Hertz seem to be closing in on them leading to numerous shootouts in a variety of locations.
If you are looking for a strong plot, deep characters and the sort of film that is considered Oscar worthy then this is not for you... however if you want full on, over-the-top action then sit back and enjoy the ride. The action rarely stops as Smith shoots a ridiculous number of killers... and in scenes that have to be seen to be believed dispatches a couple with a carrot! The action isn't particularly realistic but that is almost the point; as one scene makes clear this is really a live-action, ultraviolent Bugs Bunny/Elmer Fudd film! Clive Owen is on great form as the carrot-chomping Smith, Paul Giamatti is a lot of fun as Hertz and Monica Bellucci is solid as Donna, the film's most normal character. The action effects are great but a shootout between characters who have jumped from a plane did look rather poor; this is a fairly minor quibble though. Overall definitely one for those who like full on action movies... I was not surprised to learn that writer/director Michael Davis was inspired by John Woo's 'Hard Boiled'.
If you are looking for a strong plot, deep characters and the sort of film that is considered Oscar worthy then this is not for you... however if you want full on, over-the-top action then sit back and enjoy the ride. The action rarely stops as Smith shoots a ridiculous number of killers... and in scenes that have to be seen to be believed dispatches a couple with a carrot! The action isn't particularly realistic but that is almost the point; as one scene makes clear this is really a live-action, ultraviolent Bugs Bunny/Elmer Fudd film! Clive Owen is on great form as the carrot-chomping Smith, Paul Giamatti is a lot of fun as Hertz and Monica Bellucci is solid as Donna, the film's most normal character. The action effects are great but a shootout between characters who have jumped from a plane did look rather poor; this is a fairly minor quibble though. Overall definitely one for those who like full on action movies... I was not surprised to learn that writer/director Michael Davis was inspired by John Woo's 'Hard Boiled'.
a lot of fun
talllwoood131 September 2022
I think the only reason I watched this was a youtuber Redeye reviews and this was another great suggestion as I really wanted to see what he does with the carrots. The John Woo's wet dream I kind of agree with but if you've seen for example the movie John did with Jean Claude Van Damme called Hard Target from 1993 you'll be disappointed as everyone gets shot 5 or 6 times.
Although there is hardly any story it's still a fun movie to watch. Lots of great action scenes in some ways poking fun at how over the top certain action movies are. The cast they did a good job with. The bad guy you will dislike, the actress in this went on to be a bond girl which was a surprise and best of all there's some humor and a few over the top parts to keep you from being getting bored. I enjoyed this enough to watch it again. If you like the silliness of Crank with Jason Statham this is right up your alley.
Although there is hardly any story it's still a fun movie to watch. Lots of great action scenes in some ways poking fun at how over the top certain action movies are. The cast they did a good job with. The bad guy you will dislike, the actress in this went on to be a bond girl which was a surprise and best of all there's some humor and a few over the top parts to keep you from being getting bored. I enjoyed this enough to watch it again. If you like the silliness of Crank with Jason Statham this is right up your alley.
Simply Awesome. Crank on Steroids
icebond17 September 2007
Lets get one thing out of the way straight away. Shoot em up is easily the most outrageous, the funniest and most balls out Action film ever made. Saying that, its not for everyone. Firstly its silly and calling the events that unfold over the top is a huge understatement. The film doesn't take itself seriously for a second. The action is almost cartoonist in nature and there are at least 5 jaw dropping scenes and by the end of this film you will never look at a carrot the same way. Like I said, its not for everyone, some will love it, others will loathe it. Regardless of which camp you fall in, I think pretty much everyone will agree after seeing this film that the Broccoli family must have been asleep during Clive Owens Bond test screening. This guy has more Bond in his left arm than Daniel Craig in his entire body and the best thing? He doesn't even try, like a certain other Scottish actor you may recall. In fact this review is pretty pointless. This is the only film you'll see Monica Belluci get shagged during a shootout. Enuf said. Go watch it
Shoot em all
karlevans-756823 August 2022
Watched this for the first time last night and although it's 15 years old I must say that it's awesome OK so it's bonkers with a rather strange storyline but the lead Clive Owen manages to do his best Jason Stathern while Monica belucci smoulders throughout, the bad guy is played by the wonderfully over the top Paul Giamatti, however the carrot crunching Clive Owen steals every scene, the action scenes are fabulous, go watch it and thank me later!
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