UNLEASHED IS COMING! UNLEASHED IS COMING! RottenTomatoes still only has it at around 67%, but so what. ComingSoon.net has a nice long interview with Jet Li (including the "Did you see ONG BAK?" question).
It talks about his relationship with Luc Besson, how UNLEASHED came to be, how he developed the Dog-like physical movements of Danny, his views on being a role model to young kids, and his future. It's a very good read and makes you just want Jet Li to continue to succeed.
The Official UNLEASHED website is here. It's all FLASH-y...
Rotten Tomatoes has an early 60% rating on Jet Li's new, upcoming movie. 3 of the 5 reviews list it as "fresh."
From Variety: Auds craving for a mix of full-bore, Droog-style ultraviolence and shameless sentimentality made palatable by name thesps will find what they want in Jet Li showcase "Danny the Dog."
That sounds good.
From Rolling Stone : Director Louis Leterrier wisely gets Li back in the game for a series of lucrative battles, staged by The Matrix master Yuen Wo Ping, that pit Danny the dog against steroidal goons in chain mail who must fight to the death. Now we're talking. Li is action poetry in motion.
that sounds good, too.
Although then he mentions, It's the sentimental story ... that induces a gag reflex.
and Shadows on the Wall seems to like it: The film's sensitive, emotional heart sets it apart from most action movies and [the fight scenes are] bracingly well-staged (the fierce fistfight in a tiny loo is astonishing), filmed with a gritty texture that keeps things looking edgy and alive. There's something endearing about a movie that can be this gruesome and brutal and yet have a centre so thoroughly sweet.
If the action scenes are as amazing as everyone seems to be saying and the story holds it together, then it'll be a winner in my book. If the emotional center and characterization are good, then this will ascend and be great. At the very least, it looks to be the best of his US, I mean WESTERN, films.
opening 5/13....
According to MonkeyPeaches, the official UNLEASHED/DANNY THE DOG R3 Chinese DVD has released on April 30th under the title of THE TIGER IS OUT OF THE CAGE. FWIW, I looked around and the DVD is not for sale at yesasia, hkflix, hivizone, or dvdasian.
There's a new UNLEASHED/DANNY THE DOG trailer up at Yahoo.com now, apparently called "Broken".
Ever since seeing the first trailer, I've been extremely excited about this. I've been severely disappointed in all of Jet Li's US films and hopefully this one will restore some of my faith.
Written and produced by Luc Besson; (La Femme Nikita, Leon, 5th Element) and Jet Li and directed by first-timer Louis Letterier (who was the artistic director on The Transporter) and it has Yuen Wo-Ping (Matrix, Iron Monkey, Wing Chun) as action director.
here's a short interview with Jet Li where he explains Unleashed.
and here's a link to Jet Li Online.
and here's link to JL2's Danny the Dog page, which has some nice info.
