In the action-packed opening sequence set in Hong Kong on New Year`s Eve we learn that Neil Shaw (Wesley Snipes) is an undercover agent for the Secretary General of the United Nations, Donald Sutherland, directly under the control of his powerful assistant Hooks (Anne Archer). Months later a container-load of Vietnamese refugees from a camp in Hong Kong turn up dead in New York and the Chinese ambassador seems to be connected. When he`s assassinated Shaw`s in the wrong place at the wrong time and is arrested by FBI agent Maury Chaykin. On the run with translator Julia Fang (Marie Matiko) Shaw tries desperately to figure out what`s going on...
This is an action political thriller with convolutions of plot that make your head spin, however it`s not so complicated that you can`t figure out the basics in this high-tech world of double double dealings. Snipes is a lithe action hero, his favourite trick seems to be leaping from tall buildings, high walls etc and Marie Matiko is a pretty if less than convincing heroine. Christian Duguay`s direction is slick, the soundtrack effective. It`s hard to find credible villains these days but I think The Art of War manages to convince.
David`s Comments:
David`s Comments:
The fact that the projectionist at Hoyts Warringah Mall screened a good portion of the film out of alignment (with the top of the picture on the bottom of the screen) and that you have top walk up a long flight of stairs to tell someone what`s happening, may account for my complete bemusement about The Art Of War. I couldn`t follow the plot, and I wasn`t very interested in the increasingly brutal and violent goings on. The chases are routine, the surprises obvious and the whole thing pretty wretched.
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