2004-2005 was around the time Wesley Snipes' career started to tank. He had many good action films under his belt, but for some reason, instead of branching out and trying new things, he opted to go the direct-to-video route, which history tells us is the place where the careers of once popular action stars go to die. Several stars have fallen prey to the deadly claws of the direct-to-video market, such as Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren, and the reigning king of awful DTV action films, Steven Seagal. Snipes also went this route, and we are still feeling the fallout of that cataclysmic career choice. But amid all the DTV crap, there's actually a decent film (relative to the DTV market), called "Unstoppable" (aka "Nine Lives").
This movie, one of Snipes' first DTV efforts, was bashed by fans for its slow pacing, noticeably low budget and production value, and lack of action. I recently gave it a watch while recovering from a head cold, and actually enjoyed it.
Ok sure, it's a little slower than your usual action flick. It takes its time, not bludgeoning the viewer over the head with action scenes. Sure it may look and sound action-packed, and there is action. I definitely agree with the observations made by the haters, but it all really comes down to how forgiving you are, or the mood you're in.
The film does ask the viewer to care about the characters and take an interest in the story. It does try to make the story interesting and not just inundate the viewer with action, which is a risky move that often doesn't work. It actually worked for me here, unlike Snipes' later vehicle, The Contractor (2007). This film's premise is interesting, and Snipes is charismatic, and that was enough for me to forgive it.
Now, this is not "action-packed" per se, and with a premise that suggests lots of loud action, this film definitely teases more than it delivers. The trailer does make it look very action-packed, though in fairness all the scenes in the trailer are in the movie. There are four action scenes here. The diner scene, the asylum escape, the truck chase, and the final battle. These scenes were well-directed, and entertaining, and while Snipes doesn't do a ton of fighting (he does a bit), he was there enough to keep me interested. Some of the action did border on ridiculousness, such as the truck scene, and the final battle in which a dude is firing a minigun out of a helicopter, and Snipes shoots the copter like twice and it explodes for no reason. I let these things go. It is direct-to-video, after all.
They definitely could've done more with the premise. The film takes place over the course of one night, and Snipes' character hallucinates a lot, with scenes switching between reality and his hallucinations. More could've been done with that, and there definitely could've been some more action.
Overall, it's a slower, more plodding action thriller, with just barely enough action to satisfy, but it has heart, and you could do a lot worse when it comes to action films.
This movie, one of Snipes' first DTV efforts, was bashed by fans for its slow pacing, noticeably low budget and production value, and lack of action. I recently gave it a watch while recovering from a head cold, and actually enjoyed it.
Ok sure, it's a little slower than your usual action flick. It takes its time, not bludgeoning the viewer over the head with action scenes. Sure it may look and sound action-packed, and there is action. I definitely agree with the observations made by the haters, but it all really comes down to how forgiving you are, or the mood you're in.
The film does ask the viewer to care about the characters and take an interest in the story. It does try to make the story interesting and not just inundate the viewer with action, which is a risky move that often doesn't work. It actually worked for me here, unlike Snipes' later vehicle, The Contractor (2007). This film's premise is interesting, and Snipes is charismatic, and that was enough for me to forgive it.
Now, this is not "action-packed" per se, and with a premise that suggests lots of loud action, this film definitely teases more than it delivers. The trailer does make it look very action-packed, though in fairness all the scenes in the trailer are in the movie. There are four action scenes here. The diner scene, the asylum escape, the truck chase, and the final battle. These scenes were well-directed, and entertaining, and while Snipes doesn't do a ton of fighting (he does a bit), he was there enough to keep me interested. Some of the action did border on ridiculousness, such as the truck scene, and the final battle in which a dude is firing a minigun out of a helicopter, and Snipes shoots the copter like twice and it explodes for no reason. I let these things go. It is direct-to-video, after all.
They definitely could've done more with the premise. The film takes place over the course of one night, and Snipes' character hallucinates a lot, with scenes switching between reality and his hallucinations. More could've been done with that, and there definitely could've been some more action.
Overall, it's a slower, more plodding action thriller, with just barely enough action to satisfy, but it has heart, and you could do a lot worse when it comes to action films.