"Cradle 2 The Grave" offers nothing new, and does not play exactly like real life, but it is certainly busy and never boring. However, the way it achieves this busyness - the parallel cutting between two or three different action set-pieces - is perhaps the biggest problem with this film: just when you're starting to enjoy one sequence, the film cuts to another! Acting-wise, Jet Li gives what must be one of his worst performances in this one - his fighting with one hand in his pocket most of the time is perhaps symbolic of his boredom with this project. Fighting-wise, he is as sharp as ever, but until the finale he doesn't face any worthy opponents - he doesn't seem to have the slightest problem even with a cage full of underground fighters. DMX is surprisingly convincing in an action role. Dacascos can certainly fight, but he doesn't have the screen presence to be a scary villain. Of the two comic relief guys, Tom Arnold fares better than Anthony Anderson. Kelly Hu is utterly wasted. And to save the best for last, Gabrielle Union. She looks dazzlingly beautiful and physically fit, performs one of the hottest lap dances you'll ever see, and was obviously well-trained for her fighting. To her, I give **** out of 4 stars; to the movie, only **1/2.
Review of Cradle 2 the Grave
