Shoot 'Em Up Reviews

I remember it quite well, when this movie was released, there was quite some buzz about it. Indeed, apparently, it was an amazing action flick so I had some rather high expectations concerning this flick but, to be honest, I wasn’t really blown away by the whole thing. I mean, sure, All 3 leads did a good job, the directing was fine and the action scenes were pretty good, so what was the problem then ? The main issue I had is that the whole thing was jsut so preposterous and senseless that I never really cared about the characters or what they were going through. I mean, basically, I was looking at the whole thing and I was thinking "Wow! That looks good!!" but that was about it, I’m afraid. Concerning Monica Bellucci, I always had a weak spot for this actress but, unfortunately, most of her US productions have been rather disappointing and her career never really took off there. Anyway, to conclude, even though I had a really hard time to understand what was supposedly so great about this flick, I have to admit that it was still fairly entertaining and it is worth a look, especially if you like the genre.

"Eat your vegetables.

Is it possible for someone to love a film which borders on violence and gunfights? Yes, it is, since I absobloodylutely love this film to death. I normally wouldn't watch films which are about guns and blood, but the way this film was executed was simply brilliant, witty, and unique that I couldn't help but get hooked, lined, and sunk. The villain alone is unusual (imagine a geeky bloke doing all the shit in a film?), and Paul Giamatti is the perfect actor to fill in the shoes of sleazy Hertz. The protagonist is an extremely talented marksman who has a thing for carrots and is constantly harping on about the immorality present in society. Smith (Owen) has a mysterious past, which is highlighted by his even more mysterious entry into the film - all we know about him is that he shoots well and used to have a family - wherein he gets involved in a conspiracy just by sitting on a bench and munching on a carrot. But after he saves a pregnant woman going into labor, he is thrown into a series of events which involves him having to take care of the woman's baby, deal with persistent thugs and their leader, Hertz, and stop himself from falling head over heels with Donna (Bellucci), probably the only person he doesn't hate in the world. The gunfights and Smith's prowess with guns in fantastic and enjoyable to watch, because this is probably the one man who doesn't waste bullets. This film is a rich roster of witty one-liners and quotable quotes; you'll probably find one for every occasion possible. I just watched this movie during New Year's Eve (hate the sound of blasting fireworks), so I decided to fight fire with fire. I was soooooo glad I did, because this movie smashes all the other action movies that I've seen so far. I especially love the fight scene in the Hammerson warehouse (if you've watched this, you'll know what I'm going on about). The sheer gun creativity that was shown in the movie is mind-blowing. Oh, and the action sequences were great. Clive Owen, as always, delivered a moody character (but oh so hot ;-P), while Paul Giamatti certainly proved that he can be a badass if he wants to be. A definite must-see for everyone, not just for the blokes, but for the ladies as well.

I knew that I was going to like Shoot 'Em Up but I had absolutely no idea I was going to like it as much as I really did. Yes, it was a very silly film but at the end of the day it is just a kickass piece of entertainment. I think I loved pretty much everything about this film. It was just the way it was filmed, the way it made me feel just by watching it and also what the characters were like. I have to say that this film is just amazing and I was left speechless at the end of the film in which not many action films have been able to do so. Shoot 'Em Up is a film that I have rated 5-star because of its entertainment which is why Shoot 'Em Up is probably my favourite film for just entertainment nothing more. It was explosive, unbelievable and very exciting. Watching this film was a lot like you being a bullet out of a gun and you have been shot out of it. This film was pretty funny as well because of the cool catch phrases and also the characters. I loved the sound effects and visual effects on this film a lot. The sound effects were a lot like Transformers effects but not similar visual effects as Transformers though.


I have one question that should have been answered two years ago: Why isn't Clive Owen playing James Bond? Daniel Craig is awesome but Clive would have been better. Mr. Smith is a lot like James Bond in this one because he's a hero but he kills people not for pleasure but for just his job but in a slightly cold way in which James Bond does. Clive reveals his true colours as an actor in this film because he is ultimate kick-ass and really looks like a cool dude in this one. When you see him eat carrots and speaks really cool lines it adds a lot more spice and coolness towards the character. Also, the situations that Smith gets himself into like the scene with the pregnant woman and the baby and also the sex scene that shows that he can get himself in almost any sort of situation. It was rather strange to me seeing Paul Giamatti as a villain because he played a really heroic supporting part in Cinderella Man but in this one he wasn't only rather cold hearted as hitman Hertz but he was a bit of an idiot who always makes mistakes playing this cat-and-mouse game by trying to get Smith, Donna and the baby. Hertz and his men try to kill Smith but he outsmarts them pretty much every time and Hertz either mutters to himself about failing or just takes his anger or frustration out on his men. I do not believe how good Monica Bellucci looks for her age. I cannot believe she is in her mid 40s. She looks like a really hot mid 20s woman in Shoot 'Em Up. Her performance as Donna was just awesome because she gave Donna all of the characteristics and the type of body she has. Donna is a prostitute who gets into an awkward situation with Smith by trying to fight off against Hertz and his men. She is at first a bit of a bitch but as she gets closer to Smith and closer to the baby, she reveals that she does have a sensitive side to her personality as well as a dirty side.


Michael Davis makes this a really kick-ass piece of entertainment that could be watched repeatedly by anybody. To me, if the James Bond franchise didn't have to have a decent storyline, he would have been a good director for a Bond film. He would have been good for Quantum Of Solace especially after that was the biggest letdown of 2008. Michael makes us feel like we are on a rollercoaster ride that takes us upside down, left to right etc because it was so intense and so explosive. There were some bits in the film that I didn't really understand. It is quite a complex story to watch as well but it didn't effect my liking for this film at all. Shoot 'Em Up is one of Clive Owen's greatest films. Clive has done quite a lot of films and yet he hasn't disappointed me once. I liked his character in Shoot 'Em Up more than films such as Children Of Men, King Arthur, The Bourne Identity and Elizabeth: The Golden Age but he was better in Sin City and especially Closer than Shoot 'Em Up. I really liked Paul Giamatti in this one. After seeing him play a villain in this film, I now understand that he can play a villain as well as a hero. I realise that Monica Bellucci is in her 40s and is around the same age as my parents but I couldn't help but just stare at her throughout the whole film because she was just so stunning. I would love to see Michael Davis bring us more action films that will be very intense and explosive like this one.


It is the action film of 2007. Yes, higher than Hot Fuzz. However, Hot Fuzz is a better film than Shoot 'Em Up. As much as I loooooove Hot Fuzz I just find Shoot 'Em Up more entertaining. Shoot 'Em Up is a very explosive action-packed thrill ride that will make you jump out of your seat. You will be blown away by how intense this film really is and how fun it really is. Including the action involved, it is a film that will make you laugh as well. It is one of the best films of 2007 in my opinion and is one of my all-time favourite action films. In fact it was so good with the action, it is my 4th favourite action film behind Indiana Jones And The Raiders Of The Lost Ark, Aliens and Kill Bill: Volume 1. It is a masterpiece of entertainment that I could watch over and over again. Whoever hasn't seen Shoot 'Em Up watch it now and watch with lights out and with an open brave moment for the intense action.

''What's up doc?''

A man named Mr. Smith delivers a woman's baby during a shootout, and is then called upon to protect the newborn from the army of gunmen.

Clive Owen: Smith

In this deliriously over-the-top masterpiece of outrageously clever mayhem, star Clive Owen is an unstoppable good-guy gunman who is given to asking the question "you know what I hate?" before doing something about it, with explosive shot out consequences.



You know what I hate? Dishonest, hypocritical reviewers like the ones sitting in certain screenings. Although there is positive grunts of enthusiasm and other appreciative sounds during the deliciously inventive stunts, laugh out loud jokes, gasped and groaned at all the right places, and generally appeared to be having a ball, they said afterwards that they didn't like said film.

What the hell is wrong with critics like that? Are they afraid the art-house crowd won't take them seriously if they express appreciation for a film in which a newborn's umbilical cord is cut with a gunshot, or a thug gets killed by having a carrot shoved in his mouth and out the back of his head? What, you mean Bergman or Antonioni never filmed a lactating hooker tearing out a ring from a Marilyn Manson look-alike's personal area to convince him to talk?
Not everything has to politically correct to be greatness, which is why some critics can't show their true feelings or views on said films due to not being Critical enough. Spinning lies and their own dream-land view of what they want others to credit their critic nature. All I want is honesty, so I'm going to give just that and hope everyone does too.

Moving on to the posters for Shoot 'Em Up, resembling something along the lines of Frank Miller comic-book drawings coming to life, the actual film has more in common with the work of another comic-book great: Garth Ennis, writer of such jaw-dropping hyper-violent heroes, such as Marvel's Punisher. (Although the awful 2004 Punisher movie included some supporting characters and plot points that originated with Ennis, it lacked anything resembling his very dark yet fiercely entertaining style. The guy definitely has a way of making vigilantes and their dangerous toys fascinating.)



DQ: Who are you?
Mr. Smith: I'm a British nanny, and I'm dangerous.

Owen plays Mr. Smith; A guy who is simply waiting for a bus when he gets drawn into one of the wildest, most crazy-violent action opening scenes of all time. By the time the bullets stop flying, Smith is on the run with a complete stranger's targeted-for-death baby and one hell of a lot of questions.
Smith enlists a beautiful Goddess, "Got milk" hooker (Monica Bellucci) to feed the baby. Despite some tough talk, she turns out to be increasingly placid bordering on sensual and maternal; More a kick-ass tomboy, which makes for a nice change in this kind of story.
Meanwhile, a sadistically evil genius mob Boss appropriately named Hertz(Paul Giamatti) dogs their trail with a never-ending army of hired killers and, yes, a couple of dogs. Giamatti scores as this badass with brains, who is shocked and hilariously furious about how Smith & Company keep managing to survive. "Do we suck this bad," he says at one point, "or is this guy really that good?."

Writer/director Michael Davis has loaded the film with one unforgettably imaginative image after another: spent shell casings bouncing off a pregnant woman's stomach, a gun dropping in an unflushed toilet, a hand with bullets between the fingers shoved into a fireplace as an improvised weapon. There are showdowns, standoffs, car chases, airborne gun battles and even a shootout in a firearms factory.
Best of all, the screenplay manages to both glorify in and yet subvert some of the things you'll be expecting. For example, it's a mega-body-count, blizzard-of-bullets barrage that's actually a plea for gun control at heart. Seriously. Also, although it has scenes referencing bits from movies as diverse as Lost Highway, The Transporter and even Raising Arizona. Shoot Em Up overall feels fresh and original.

''Eat your vegetables.''

This was simply an unpretentious and enjoyable film. No big message, just non stop and often ridiculous action. If you can enjoy a James Bond or Die Hard flick, you will find this movie well worth spending (almost) one and half hours of your life.
A proverbial Bugs Bunny, including literally mimicking the wascally wabbit, Clive Owen's Mr. Smith seeps cool, it's apparent that this is his shot at being James Bond (director Michael Davis always wanted to direct a Bond film) and he's thrown every snappy one-liner and unflinching glare that he possibly can muster. Paul Giamatti is the show stealer as the crazed assassin Mr. Hertz, who is ruthlessly vile, wickedly intelligent, and an inept family man. His role is constantly surprising and spontaneous, and his batty bearded grins are laughably priceless. Monica Bellucci seems selected only for her willingness to do nude scenes and her sexy Italian accent. The remainder of the supporting cast are merely targets thrown in front of machine guns and heavy firepower to keep the downtime to a minimum. Even sex scenes are blanketed by violence, gunfire, and a bit of humour. While everything is markedly seedy and gritty, these anti-hero sorts and wickedly evil villains fit perfectly into the underworld locales and environments.



Mr. Smith: [eating carrot] What's up doc?
Mr. Hertz: You wascally wabbit.

Some may consider Shoot 'Em Up's weakest component to be its ridiculous story and the robotic debriefing of plot twists. But then they would have missed the point entirely. Davis' film mocks the overly simplistic and oftentimes nonsensical story lines of humdrum actioners and makes no excuses for its own deliberate transitions and set pieces that roll from one action sequence directly into another. Much like the clever ridicule of stereotypical horror films by Wes Craven's Scream, the characters in Shoot 'Em Up are self aware of their positions in an action vehicle and work to make it as defiantly random as possible. Clive Owen's Mr. Smith constantly spouts off his dislikes of the normalcies regularly witnessed in the genre, and the comforting blend of hyper-violence, twisted humor, and extreme exaggerations never stales throughout the relatively short running time. Nonstop action doesn't always make a film, but it sure does help.

So much action permeates every scene in Shoot 'Em Up that to call it just an action movie would be an understatement. It's unrelenting action bravado of a particularly brutal temperament, masked by loads of dark humour(even the sex scene manages to have a vicious firefight halfway through). Shoot 'Em Up proves that carrots can be deadly weapons, limerick usage makes better bad guys, and no matter the amount of killing done, it can be redeemed by saving the life of a babe(or two!). Plus having a plot isn't always a factor for making an entertaining action movie. This is an action junkie masterpiece...On speed...And even then it doesn't stop!

''Let me give you a piece of advice. Never trust the people who stand to profit, plain and simple. They're the bad guys.''

"Guns don't kill people! But they sure help."

It is with much confidence that I can state that during my numerous years of viewing movies, never before have I beheld an action film's opening sequence tagged with a hero dispatching a villain by penetrating their brain with a carrot, delivering a baby during an intense, chaotic gunfight, then severing the baby's umbilical cord with a bullet before a rather comical profanity exchange using neon lights. If you're incapable of discerning what this film is about after reading the title and the opening sentence of this review...then you're in trouble. Shoot 'Em Up is a straightforward satirical addition to the action genre. For its entire 80-minute duration, writer/director Michael Davis has crafted a masterful action flick overflowing with silly over-the-top violence and ingeniously witty (hilarious) one-liners.

You know what the difference is between Shoot 'Em Up and an action film from the mind of someone like Uwe Boll? Shoot 'Em Up is a great bad movie...while Uwe Boll produces plain unadulterated bad movies! Boll is somehow so incredibly self-deluded that he sincerely believes he's creating an artistic and inspiring piece of celluloid, and that he's an "industry genius". Truth be told, Boll's films such as BloodRayne and Alone in the Dark are dull and uninspiring beyond all comprehension, not to mention they are also among the worst pile of faeces ever to be committed to film. On the other hand, Michael Davis' Shoot 'Em Up is completely 100% self-aware that it's a noisy, stupendous, over-the-top, leave-your-brain-at-the-door bullet-fest...and it's proud of it. It also only aspires to provide a simple fun time without taking itself seriously at all. This is why I can consciously enjoy Shoot 'Em Up and grant it an emphatic thumbs up, while absolutely detesting creations from filmmakers such as Rob Cohen, Uwe Boll or Michael Bay.

Immature, irresponsible, dumb and insane are just a few words to accurately describe Shoot 'Em Up. It's a film lacking a meaty, cohesive narrative, and it exists merely to exhibit a dozen or so outrageous, awesome action sequences. Astonishing violent and astonishingly stylish, this film is exhilarating fun! It's even complete with a blaring soundtrack featuring Wolfmother, Motörhead, AC/DC, and various other artists. Furthermore, our hero continually munches on carrots throughout the film's duration. The first time we see Clive Owen as tough guy supreme, chewing a carrot at a bus-stop, we know he means business. And yes, there are the obvious Looney Tunes references such as "What's up doc?" followed by "You're a wascally wabbit!". Davis probably inserted these references to remind the audience of the old-fashioned cartoon violence from the Looney Tunes shorts, as it's the kind of comic violence presented in this film.

While the film is primarily about action, it has its fair share of clever one-liners. For example, Paul Giamatti's Mr. Hertz is forever on the phone to his wife.
"You know why a gun is better than a wife? You can put a silencer on a gun."
Clive Owen is also given a number of notable moments, such as when he describes himself as "a British nanny, and I'm dangerous".
In the long run, Shoot 'Em Up is a whole lot of shootouts, sex scenes, and even a shootout during a sex scene. At one stage there's even a shooting gallery, with little time to breathe except for when the characters are reloading. Thankfully, though, Michael Davis has learned to shoot his shootouts (pun intended) in the best kind of style: so that we know what is actually going on (take notes, Michael Bay). In the long run, the film is an extended gun-battle with a concise running time that leaves you hungry for more.

It seems almost redundant to outline the plot. After all, if you watch a film with the title of Shoot 'Em Up searching for plot and thoughtful dialogue...you're in the wrong place.
More or less, the film follows the carrot-chomping, gun-touting Mr. Smith (Owen). Smith is a tired, apathetic bystander who witnesses a pregnant woman being pursued by gunmen. He reluctantly intervenes and gets in on the action. The woman gives birth to a child (during an intense gun battle) before getting killed in the cross-fire. Smith feels compelled to protect the newborn, and recruits lactating hooker girlfriend Donna (Bellucci) while the vicious Hertz (Giamatti) is on the hunt with an army of gunmen. Meanwhile, as Smith eludes Hertz's men, he tries to figure out why the tot was targeted and endeavours to fathom the full extent of what he's got himself into.
The film opens with the New Line cinema logo being shot to bits...it's an indication of things to come. The proceedings get underway when Smith gets entangled in a large-scale gun battle with deafeningly raucous music accompanying the extremely violent visuals. Needless to say, it seldom lets up for meaningful dialogue or a fleshed out story.

Clive Owen is excellent as the title character. Having this rugged, handsome hero in the film really elevates the overall value. Granted, Owen is at times quite wooden. But it's the point: he's a dead-pan character who shows little emotion no matter the circumstances. Like when he's in the middle of sex, he's interrupted by a bunch of hooligans with guns. Still pleasuring his girl, he grabs a pistol and begins rolling into strategic positions with bullets whipping around him. Never does he look remotely scared or threatened. After dispatching said gunmen, he casually remarks "Talk about shooting your load."
Paul Giamatti could be the greatest action movie villain since Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber in Die Hard back in 1988. Giamatti has witty dialogue to deliver and is oozing charm throughout. He's a pleasure to watch for every frame of his screen-time.
Monica Bellucci is angelic and seductive as the lactating prostitute. Her introductory scene shows her breast-feeding an adult male. This establishes her character very fittingly.
The acting from most of the supporting cast is pretty standard. Then again, this is just a straightforward action film where the grunts are dispatched within a few seconds of their introduction...so don't expect Oscar material.

As previously stated, Shoot 'Em Up is unreservedly self-aware that it's insane, ridiculous and definitely not a movie to be taken seriously for a split second. So, logically, it disregards the requirements of physics, character depth or coherent plotting all for the sake of having some fun at whatever the cost. The action scenes are deliberately as idiotic and unfeasible as you can imagine, but they're so exaggerated that there's always a sense of humour. This reminds you that you should be smiling instead of sneering.

If you can ignore the fact that the world of physics is completely overlooked here, you shouldn't have any difficulty going along for the ride. This is what makes Shoot 'Em Up such a fun flick. The shootouts are so outrageous and will have the audience laughing and cheering at the preposterous proceedings. Furthermore, the filmmakers have purposely made the special effects look awful. The sky-diving action scene is so ridiculous and looks so unbelievable that you can practically see the green screen. It's the point! Or when Smith's car flips over, then flips upright again and he isn't even scratched. The internal logic is meant to be nonsense. On these merits, Michael Davis has scored a winner. For its entire 80-minute duration it's a total blast! It's a bloody good, entertaining, nonsensical low-brow satirical take on the action genre. Lighten up, leave you brain and common sense at the door, and you'll have a great time! For those that hate the film...remember that it's supposed to be a completely stupendous, silly flick and it's 100% proud to be as such!

8.3/10

What should I say, just a great action movie. Even crazier than crank, but same kind of movie.

The first picture you see of this movie tells you everything about it: Close Up of Clive Owen's Face eating a carrot. I never thought it could be that cool to eat a carrot .

Great movie for everyone who loves Action movies and can cope with violence.

loved it

Shoot 'em up alright. I really believe that this movie was just an excuse for a bunch of men to play with guns, get into ridiculous gun fights and do very unbelievable stunts.
If it wasn't for Clive Owens I wouldn't have bothered watching the whole thing but there is something sexy about that man eating carrots. Oh and the thing with the carrots! It was stupid like a lot of other things in this movie. For instance, the wise cracks were not witty, the plot was pathetic (also pointless and reaffirming for me that this movie was just made for the guns), he said "this is weird" way too much, it surprises me that the baby never got hurt and then there is the sex scene. It's the type of sex scene I have never seen and the type that makes you say WTF?
If you can sit through the first 5-10 minutes where he kills a man with a carrot (yes you read right) and then delivers a baby while in a gunfight and not say to yourself "Yeah right" then there is a chance you might enjoy this movie otherwise you'll probably be left wondering what gun happy idiot created this bullcrap?

Action = 10/10
Script = 2/10
Actors = 2/10
Comedy = 10/10

Honestly, this should be under comedy as most of the scenes were hilarious.

The title of the movie could have been one of the following:
- Discover What a Carrot Can Do
- The Carrot Killer
- What's up Doc?
- The Carrot Man
- See a Carrot in Action

I'm not joking. All those scenes with carrots are just so hilarious - and stupid - that it's all I remember from this idiotic film.

Besides that, the movie will most definitely be enjoyed by guys and gals who love action, and (really) don't care for a story.

I almost forgot to mention: there is about 15 minutes of talking in the entire 80 minutes of the film. The rest is all guns and action.
So if you're looking for a decent story, don't bother.
If you're looking to watch guns and ridiculous fights, see it.