(12)Movie Review: The Art of War [CBFC: A 2000 ‧ Action/Thriller ‧ 1h 57m]

Directed under the guidance and support of Christian Duguay, it's an action-filled suspenseful thriller ride that will keep the viewers completely engrossed in the movie from start to finish. This movie has Wesley Snipes as Neil Shaw, an undercover-op who is working for the United Nations. Soon he gets framed for murdering a VIP. The film is about how he proves himself innocent and on the journey discovering some hidden truths.

Plot & Characters:

The movie begins with the scene where Shaw is executing a complicated operation that sets up a tone for the world he comes from.

When a Chinese ambassador is assassinated while giving a speech, Shaw gets framed for that crime, and then begins a fast-paced chase as he tries hard to get his name cleared and uncover about a conspiracy that threatens global security. The way he gets framed is actually a big misunderstanding that occurs while he tries to catch the actual culprit behind the assassination of that ambassador.

Wesley Snipes delivers a good performance as Neil Shaw, showcasing his Kung fu skills and charisma. Shaw, as the protagonist will look intense and relatable to the audiences. Other supporting actors, including Anne Archer as Eleanor Hooks and Donald Sutherland as UN Secretary General Douglas Thomas, add depth and connectivity to the storyline despite their characters falling into familiar archetypes sometimes.

Action & Cinematography:

The action scenes have been well-choreographed making it a visual treat for its viewers. From fight scenes to shootouts, and chasing sequences shown in the movie are well-crafted which provides a visceral thrill that will be appreciated by all the action lovers. The film's cinematography by Pierre Gill, who captured stunning interior shots of UN properties and urban cities, deserves praise.

Themes & Execution:

As the movie name goes, there's a connection to Sun Tzu's ancient treatise on warfare, where it shows the themes are somewhat superficial in nature. The film holds no bounds on the ideas of strategy, deception, and the moral ambiguities of espionage. But, they are often taken as a backseat to the action. No matter what, the plot remains complicated and is full of twists and turns to keep the audiences engaged. As the movie progresses the suspense in it keeps growing at every stage which makes it unpredictable to some extent.

Conclusion:

On a concluding note, this is a solid action-thriller yet a suspenseful movie that benefits from Wesley Snipes' magnetic presence and a series of incidents taking place in it. The film vibe promises to surely provide an entertaining and suspenseful ride. For fans of the spy & action genre, this movie offers to satisfy the blend of intrigue, strategy, and high-octane excitement.

Watch it on NETFLIX 

SCREEN SPEAK:

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆ (4/10)

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