SHOOT 'EM UP (2007)

TITLE
Shoot 'Em Up

STARRING
Clive Owen, Paul Giamatti, Monica Bellucci, Stephen McHattie

PROTAGONIST
Completely out of character but well cast, Clive Owen portrays Smith, a man generally great at flying under the radar, perhaps because of his troubled past, but in all likelihood, because nothing has moved him to take a stand.

THIS MOVIE IS LIKE
Crank, My Fellow Americans, The Professional, Terminator 2

WOULD YOU SUGGEST IT TO A FRIEND
One of only a handful I've rented in this new year, Shoot' Em Up was an instant classic. I cannot wait to buy it on previously viewed DVD sales, which is about as sexy a shopping spree as one can offer me. Yes, it's true, some of the CGI is not advanced, but the action is great. An original take on a story that's been done more than 100 or so times is refreshing, as is seeing an age-appropriate match between Monica Bellucci's character Donna Quintano and Smith.

FIRST 10 PAGES
A very pregnant woman on the lam from some dangerous and well-armed hitmen happens by Smith in a comedic fashion. Oblivious to her peril, Smith minds his own, until the hitmen appear to be pursing her into a vacant warehouse - definitely intending to cause her and the unborn some fatal harm.

SITUATION CHANGES (PAGE 15)
Not a fan of getting involved, Smith quickly realizes that not only will she need protection, but he will have to deliver her baby. Doing so is no small feat as he ushers the child into its new world between the never-ending team of killers operating an arsenal to match a small country. The foes are cleverly-led by Paul Giamatti's Hertz. Unfortunately, during the pursuit, the woman is killed and the baby is now in the exclusive care of Smith.

COMMIT TO THE QUEST (PAGE 30)
Smith evades with great success Hertz and his goons. He brings the baby to Donna Quintano, a woman scorned by him and the death of her own baby. She also just happens to be a prostitute, but not in the traditional sense. No, Donna is paid for her abilities as a wet nurse for men engaged in infantillism. Her refusal to help him the baby makes her a target for Hertz, who would likely have killed her if not for Smith's timely return.

CHANGE IS FORESHADOWED (PAGE 45)
We know Smith is going to see things through when he goes back to his super-secret pad and bonds with both baby and Donna, but their trip home did not go unnoticed. Hertz's crew soon invades. In all the glamorized gun action that is possible, Smith, baby and Donna manage to live and escape again, all without harm.

THERE'S NO GOING BACK (PAGE 60)
A plan is hatched to get out of town; specifics are not revealed. Smith and Donna have the most exciting of scenes and the three return back to the origins of where the mom-to-be lived.

A SECRET IS REVEALED (PAGE 75)
Super-duper spoiler alert, there are two really great secrets revealed: first, the baby was part of an experiment to save the life of a sitting senator who coincidentally is running for office. His run and eventual win will secure Hertz's boss's business (guns and ammo - I know you are shocked) does not succumb to further restrictions and legislation. As for the second big reveal, you'll have to see the movie, but it fully encompasses Smith's reverence for firearms and his choice to save the baby and Donna from peril.

ALL BETS ARE OFF (PAGE 90)
Smith sees that Donna and baby execute their plans to get out of town. Once safely away, he pursues Hertz and the bosses that be. Of course he gets caught, and with miraculous intervention he gets the upper hand - a couple of times. In the end, Smith has to decide whether or not to actually do Hertz in....

THE END
There are some great final scenes that will please the audience. Though the movie doesn't end where it begins, it shows the growth of Smith's character and has special meaning to his past. Great action, no real blood and guts, more hokey than horror, Shoot 'Em Up is very much a throwback to a different, yet entertaining style of filmmaking.