Generated by DeepSeek V3.2| War (2007 film) | |
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| Name | War |
| Caption | Theatrical release poster |
| Director | Philip G. Atwell |
| Producer | Steve Chasman, Christopher Petzel |
| Writer | Lee Anthony Smith, Gregory J. Bradley |
| Starring | Jet Li, Jason Statham, John Lone, Devon Aoki, Luis Guzmán |
| Music | Brian Tyler |
| Cinematography | Pierre Gill |
| Editing | Scott Richter |
| Studio | Lionsgate, New Glory Productions |
| Distributor | Lionsgate |
| Released | 2007, 08, 24 |
| Runtime | 103 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $25 million |
| Gross | $40.5 million |
War (2007 film) is an American action-thriller directed by Philip G. Atwell in his feature film debut. The film centers on the violent conflict between an FBI agent and a mysterious assassin, set against the backdrop of a brutal gang war in San Francisco. Featuring intense martial arts sequences and a plot driven by revenge, the movie stars Jet Li and Jason Statham as the primary adversaries. It was produced by Steve Chasman and Christopher Petzel for Lionsgate and released in the summer of 2007.
The narrative follows dedicated FBI Agent John Crawford, portrayed by Jason Statham, who becomes consumed by vengeance after his partner, Tom Lone, and his family are murdered by the elusive assassin known as Rogue. Rogue, played by Jet Li, is a master of multiple fighting styles and operates as a mercenary, igniting a brutal gang war between the Yakuza and the Triad organizations in San Francisco. As Crawford delves deeper into his investigation, he uncovers a complex web of deception involving high-ranking officials like the Yakuza boss Shiro and the Triad leader Chang. The film's climax reveals a shocking twist concerning Rogue's true identity and his personal motives, leading to a final, brutal confrontation at a remote cabin that redefines the entire conflict.
The film is headlined by international action stars Jet Li as the lethal and enigmatic Rogue and Jason Statham as the relentless FBI Agent John Crawford. Supporting roles include veteran actor John Lone as the powerful Triad leader Chang, and Devon Aoki as the fierce Yakuza assassin Kira. The cast is rounded out by Luis Guzmán as FBI Agent Benny, Ryo Ishibashi as the Yakuza boss Shiro, and Sung Kang as Triad enforcer Goi. Notable appearances also include Mathew St. Patrick as FBI Agent Wick, and Nadine Velazquez as Maria, the wife of Crawford's murdered partner.
Principal photography for the film, initially titled Rogue, took place primarily in Vancouver, which doubled for San Francisco, with additional shooting in Los Angeles. Director Philip G. Atwell, previously known for his work on music videos for artists like Eminem and Dr. Dre, collaborated with fight choreographer Corey Yuen to design the film's intricate martial arts sequences. The screenplay was written by Lee Anthony Smith and Gregory J. Bradley. The production faced challenges in coordinating the schedules of its two leading stars, Jet Li and Jason Statham, and underwent significant editing to achieve an R-rating from the MPAA for its intense violence and language.
The film was released theatrically in the United States by Lionsgate on August 24, 2007. It premiered internationally in markets across Asia and Europe throughout the late summer and fall. For its home media release, the film was distributed on DVD and Blu-ray in January 2008, featuring extended scenes and behind-the-scenes featurettes. The marketing campaign heavily emphasized the first on-screen pairing of action icons Jet Li and Jason Statham, positioning it as a major draw for fans of the genre.
Upon release, War received predominantly negative reviews from critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported a low approval rating, with criticism directed at its convoluted plot and lack of chemistry between the leads, though the action sequences were occasionally praised. The film performed modestly at the box office, grossing approximately $40.5 million worldwide against a $25 million budget. It found a more receptive audience in the home video market and on cable television, particularly on networks like Spike TV. The film was nominated for several Golden Trailer Awards and won a Taurus World Stunt Award for its stunt coordination.
The film's score was composed by Brian Tyler, known for his work on projects like The Fast and the Furious franchise. The soundtrack album, released by Lionsgate Records, features a blend of orchestral action cues and contemporary tracks from artists like Eminem and 50 Cent. Tyler's music aimed to underscore the tension between the two protagonists and the gritty atmosphere of the gang war, utilizing traditional Asian instrumentation to reflect the Yakuza and Triad elements of the story.
Category:2007 films Category:American action thriller films Category:Films directed by Philip G. Atwell Category:Lionsgate films