Shoot 'em up is full of great lines, awesome acting and incredible fight scenes. Warning... this DVD may inspire one to want to own a gun. Correct that and make it lots of bad guns... enough to supply an army with! I watched this on DVD the other night with my husband, just because Clive Owen is in it. I am glad we rented it. Kept us on the edge of our seats and had my husband shaking his head and laughing. (But he stayed awake for the movie that tells you something right there!) Heres what I thought:

warning... this review will describe graphic violence and adult situations...

What is Shoot 'em Up about then?

Carrot munching bum sitting there enjoying a cup of java when he sees a pretty young pregnant woman being chased by a bunch of well armed guys. You can see the debate going on in his head when Smith (the bum) decides to step up and help out. Not intending to be the hero, he doesn't feel he has any choice but to help as they are determined to kill her. Smith does become the hero all too quickly and next thing he knows he is delivering the baby while killing bad guys left and right. He carries her off for better shelter only to discover that she has been shot through the head leaving behind a sweet newborn. (Oh yeah he shoots the umbilical cord to separate the mom and child earlier while he is using up bullets left and right.)

Soon, Smith is on the run and nowhere seems safe. Not a public restroom or park, not even the brothel where he goes looking for help. Smith and his new accomplice, the streetwalker are now on the run with a newborn and very little money. Every where they hide they are found as Bad Guy hitman (Paul Giamatti) has unlimited funding and resources to accomplish his goal. Kill that baby.

The question is why would they want to kill the baby? Apparently some powerful people had three pregnant mommies to be. All three are dead and the baby is the only evidence and link Smith has to go on.

On the run, with only a little time for fun (very funny sex scene by the way) Smith is trying to unravel the mysteries and figure out who, why and where before he and his new surrogate family are history. I'm not at liberty to reveal this information at this time, as Smith promised to kill me if I talked... (You know what I hate??? Blabbermouths.... BAM... LOL, Those are my words but in typical Smith fashion.) So you may wanna catch the DVD when you have some spare time and get the 411.

The Actors and how they did!

Clive Owen plays Smith, a mysterious negative man who is constantly chewing carrots. We start to see parts of his past unravel as the movie progresses and we learn that he has a caring side, but most of the movie he is rambling on about "You know what I hate?" Then he tells you and usually blows someone's head off. This character has moments where he is almost deep but he comes across and hard and unfeeling. This is one of the best roles I have seen Clive Owen in and I really enjoyed watching him develop and reveal his character innerworkings.

Monica Belluci portrays Donna, one gorgeous lactating streetwalker with issues of her own. She is working in a brothel specializing in ummm lactation which is part of the reason why she gets picked for helping take care of the baby. Getting attached to the baby, now named Oliver because Smith didn't hate the book and to Smith as well could be dangerous for her health. Still the trio are on the run from the law and the bad guys and don't have anyone else that they can count on.

Paul Giamatti is a fascinating character known by Hertz. A former FBI pro-filer, he is very intuitive and loves violence. He talks frequently to his wife, explaining delays all through the movie. The irony providing much needed laughs as we go through one violent shooting scene and right into another. He is funny to watch, I can't really explain what it is but his (character's) sense of humour, his intelligence and silly sentimental moments in chaos truly lead you inside the depths of this hitman. Gimatti does an incredible job of balancing out Smith and lending credibility to his role with distinction. His humor and character are a bit hard to take but its one of those I'm fascinated because you are a sick sick man.

Overall, the movie isn't truly about fully developed characters. The audience is left with a few questions answered but more to come. The final shoot out between Smith and Herst is truly funny and good at the same time. It makes me wonder if all the corny make believe violence is to sidetrack you while the theme of morality silently sneaks in and whacks you on the head.

Here are a few of my favorite things!!!
There are some really cool scenes and a few sick scenes that stay with you. The one liners that Smith has are kick butt too! I loved the sicko scene with the baby in the middle of the street! (Sadistic I know but it was sick and hilarious at the same time!) The sex scene was funny, as Smiths intense killing matched Donna's intense pleasure. There are so many more scenes I would love to tell you about but don't want to ruin the whole movie. (There are more trust me!)

That leads me to go into the less that positive side:

As my husband knew I wanted to write a review on this right away, he made sure to let me know how corny a lot of the scenes were.

What's up doc? The always present carrot, often used as a weapon thrust like a knife into a skull is funny yeah, but realistic? Not a chance. Smith is good, but he doesn't exactly have the time to sharpen the carrot enough to pierce through flesh and bone. Not with diaper changing, running, car chasing, hiding, one sexy moment and constant shooting.

And all that accuracy? Well, there are several unbelievable scenes where Smith has to use his wits to live another moment and there are many things that don't add up. I won't go into detail but most of the scenes are to do with shooting... and guns. (Like using a blowdryer in a mens room to dry out the gun because it fell into the toilet. Lets sit down sweet before the fireplace and heat up some bullets to see if we can get any action. Yeah. Bring it on because it was very funny!

Overall, my recommendation is to watch the movie. Enjoy the sadistic hilariousness and remember to eat your carrots! They may come in handy one day!

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age