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Set in San Francisco amidst a feud between the Japanese yakuza and Chinese Triad criminal factions, director Philip G. Atwell's WAR stars Jet Li as the enigmatic assassin Rogue, and Jason Statham as Jack Crawford, an F.B.I. agent determined to track him down. As the prime suspect in the murder of Crawford's partner, the elusive Rogue uses the mayhem of gang warfare to his advantage, even as the gruff lawman closes in on his trail, leading to a dramatic showdown.
Although Li and Statham have shared the screen before in THE ONE, this is the first film to give the two stars equal billing. While Li has little to say in the movie, his actions speak volumes; he plays Rogue with a sleek menace that contrasts nicely with Statham's gruff, no-nonsense presence. WAR is the debut studio film from hip-hop-video director Philip G. Atwell (best known for his work with Eminem and 50 Cent). It moves at a brisk, quick-cut pace, and benefits from fight choreography by veteran Chinese actor/director Corey Yuen. Though martial-arts fans may be slightly disappointed by the movie's focus on gunplay, one of its centerpieces, a furious swordfight that showcases Li's stunning dexterity, is sure to please aficionados of Hong Kong-style kinetics.
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