Shoot 'Em Up DVD Review

Shoot ‘Em Up is the story of an unassuming, down-and-out, military trained, carrot-toting squatter who suddenly finds himself caught up in a convoluted political conspiracy the likes of Boys from Brazil. While sitting at a bus stop, enjoying a carrot, Mr. Smith is met with an armed pregnant woman who is being chased by an army of thugs, led by the evil genius Mr. Hertz (Paul Giamatti, Sideways, American Splendor). While in the middle of a gunfight with what seems like an endless barrage of heavies, Mr. Smith (Clive Owen, Sin City, Children of Men) delivers the pregnant woman’s baby. During an escape attempt, the woman is killed, but it quickly becomes apparent to Smith that the baby is also a target. The mystery around the baby begins to unfold as Smith continues to shoot his way toward the truth: the baby, dubbed Oliver, is the genetically designed match to a senator who ardently supports gun control.

Shoot ‘Em Up is a deliciously campy, over-the-top action film that clearly does not take itself seriously. For example, the film starts off with our hero, Mr. Smith, sitting at a bus stop while gnawing on a carrot. Fast-forward just two minutes into the film to find Smith killing a pursuant with the carrot while he delivers a baby during the gun battle. That’s just the first five minutes! Shoot ‘Em Up continues in an endless flurry of energy as Clive Owen performs impossible acrobatics while firing a seemingly bottomless supply of bullets at unrelenting waves of bad guys. It is a funny, energetic romp as we watch Clive Owen race around town, engaging in anger filled rants about the innumerable things that he hates and fires expertly aimed shots at just about anything that moves. Shoot ‘Em Up is, chock full of over the top fire-fights and silly one liners, making it one action-packed, fun-filled good time.

The Shoot ‘Em Up DVD includes several special features such as deleted and alternate scenes. Also included is a commentary with director Michael Davis. Additionally, there is a featurette on the Making of Shoot ‘Em Up which discusses how somewhat obscure, independent director Michael Davis (8 Days a Week, 100 Girls) was able to convince New Line Cinema to finance his film. Michael Davis tells the viewer about how he created over 15,000 hand-drawn storyboard sketches and animated them on his computer as a method of assisting investors in realizing his vision. The DVD also features these animatics. Lastly, the DVD features movie trailers and a sneak peek at the upcoming Mos Def and Jack Black film, Be Kind Rewind.

Shoot ‘Em Up is available on DVD in Widescreen and on Blu-Ray high definition. Shoot ‘Em Up has optional Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound as well as 6.1 DTS-ES discrete surround, and the ever present Stereo Surround sound. Shoot ‘Em Up was formerly listed as scheduled to-be-released on HD DVD, but a recent decision by Warner Brothers to support only Blu-Ray technology has put an end to that.