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> THE ART OF WAR (2000)
Wesley Snipes really needs to find a new agent, or his next step may have to be a supporting role in a Dolph Lundgren flick.

Directed by: Christian Duguay

Written by: Wayne Beach

Genre: Action

Starring: Wesley Snipes, Michael Biehn, Marie Matiko

Rating: 4 out of 10

In this film, as with many of his past movies, Wesley Snipes shows some great potential and really stands out among the rest of the cast. He is the star, and that is what he gets paid for, but the trouble is in his choosing to sign on to second-rate, dumb, action flicks (with the exception of Blade). He has a real presence on screen, but in a horrid action movie he can only carry so much of the weight. In this case Snipes shows off some great ass-kicking moves, but too many extremely stupid scenes really make the film quite dull and all too familiar. Sadly enough we are left with another Wesley Snipes vehicle that just doesn't measure up.

The plot ends up being very simple even though they try and make it seem more complex (than it really is) by pounding you with non-stop "twists" every scene. Wesley Snipes is a member of a secret government agency, his mission, to protect members of the United Nations during a summit with China. There are bad guys everywhere, it seems, thus creating some nice opportunities for Snipes to show off some martial arts and gun slinging. I'll admit that the action scenes in this movie are pretty great. The initial action sequence has a nice backdrop of a Chinese New Year's party, with all the costumes, neon lights, and fireworks, while Snipes walks across tables high-kicking his way to his grand departure. However, the plot slowly turns into another one of those "my buddy from the beginning of the film was really behind it all" in the end. Oh my, that's something fresh!

The worst scene in the movie is probably being portrayed in the commercials and trailers as the best action sequence in the movie. Usually this is what you would expect from an action movie. It's the big pay-off, but in this film it plays out as a really stupid Matrix knock-off. Using some "Bullet Time" effects from The Matrix, Snipes and another person (I won't give the "surprise" away) stand in a hallway and fire at each other. Let me back up and say this again with a little more detail. Two secret government assassins, who are trained to be the best at what they do (killing people), are standing in a hallway, both armed with two pistols, firing many times at each other. Sure this is a perfect opportunity to use those great slow motion effects that John Woo has now made a standard, but this is really out of place in these conditions. It is like putting two guys in a closet, arming them (insert your favorite weapon here) and when the dust settles and you open the door, everyone is just peachy.

Mr. Snipes, let me be your agent. You've got great talent, you have shown it time and time again. Films like this one are hurting your credibility. Let me help you. Are they still casting for the two new Matrix films? If so, Wesley has my vote for a role. As for this film, stay clear of it. If you are a big action fan (like myself) it may be a good choice for a rental when it gets on the shelves.

What I liked: Wesley Snipes

What I didn't like: The Art of War

(John C. Lyons, Film Critic)