SHOOT 'EM UP

"Carrot?"

Seeing a heavily pregnant woman running from an armed gunman, Smith (Owen) decides to intervene and save her. Little does he know that a hit has been put out on her and contract killer Hertz (Giamatti) has been paid to make sure her and her baby die. As she gives birth in the middle of a gunfight, Smith is left holding the baby when Hertz shoots his mother. Wanting to save the kid he heads to the only woman who he thinks can help, prostitute Donna Quintano (Bellucci) but Hertz and his henchmen are not far behind.

When it comes to transferring the mentality of a video or a comic book to the silver screen it can have very mixed results but can a movie entitled 'Shoot 'Em Up' capture the essence of what fans really want?

It is obvious that writer/director Michael Davis loves the extremes of comic books and video games. Here is a place where the hero character is invincible, gifted with unbelievable skill and a thorn in every villain's side. He also gets the girl and saves the day against insurmountable odds. With heavy influences from Japanese Magna and the 'Max Pain' and 'Grand Theft Auto' series, 'Shoot 'Em Up' is exactly what it says it is, a movie with lots and lots of shooting in it.

A collection of extreme action sequences that push the envelope on most things that you have seen before needs to be brought to live by actors who are clearly having a good time doing what they do. Clive Owen steps into the shoes of Smith, an out of work, ex-special ops sharp shooter with a passion for saving damsel's in distress. This is Owen playing the action hero but his tongue planted firmly in his cheek as he fires endless bullets into his pursuers. The beautiful Monica Bellucci plays prostitute Donna Quintano, the only woman who Smith can turn to because of a talent her patrons pay a lot of money for. It is Paul Giamatti that steals the movie however with a role that he is clearly having fun with. As contract killer with a mission to make sure a mother and their baby never see the light of day again, Giamatti is completely over the top as Hertz but his performance completely suits the role. This is Giamatti at his very best and one that makes the movie so much better for his presence.

Writer/director Michael Davis clearly loves the action genre and it shows. This film clearly lives up to its title because the movie is one continual shoot 'em up. From the very first minute you are throw into the action as Smith fires an endless stream of bullets into the bad guys, all of which as appalling shots. The action comes at the expense of the story however, as it just floats in the background and acts as a way of joining the battles and fights together.

'Shoot 'em up' is a fun action movie that shouldn't be taken seriously. With excellent performances from Clive Owen, Monica Bellucci and Paul Giamatti, who are clearly enjoying every second of their role, this is a movie that action fans will enjoy and video game players with revel in. It might fire one too many bullets but most of them are on target.