Movie Review: Shoot ‘Em Up

Christina Olanick

4 Stars out of 5 Stars

It might not be in the running for an Oscar, but when it comes to action-packed fun, Shoot ‘Em Up is the best there is. Just as cleverly self-conscious as its title suggests (the perfunctory issue driving the conflict is gun-control) Shoot ‘Em Up makes the most of every convention the genre has to offer.

Clive Owen is at his surly, stubbly best as the enigmatic Mr. Smith – a perennially pissed-off, carrot-crunching misanthrope who can’t help but get involved when he sees a pregnant woman being chased by a gun-toting goon. Segue to the first in a series of the most creatively choreographed shoot-outs I’ve ever seen, each stretching suspension of disbelief farther than the last (in a good way!) as Smith beats impossible odds to lay the bad guys low, and then add insult to injury by delivering a straight-faced one-liner every time.

Pitted against Owen’s paragon of the stoic action-hero is Paul Giamatti. Casting against type rarely works so well, as Giamatti absolutely oozes creepy evilness playing the contract killer, Hertz. 

Of course, while the men do the shooting, the love-interest – hooker-with-a-heart-of-gold Donna – is left to pout and look sexy, a task Monica Bellucci seems naturally suited for. Needless to say, she acquits herself well.

Mixed in with all the kick-ass action, and the sex, and the laugh-out-loud situations and the clever dialogue there’s also just enough plot and character development to stay interesting. Add on top of that the fun of spotting Toronto landmarks in the “New York” Shoot ‘Em Up allegedly takes place in, and you’ve got a movie that’s definitely worth the ticket price to see.