Cradle 2 the Grave *** (2003, Jet Li, DMX, Mark Dacascos, Tom Arnold) – Classic Movie Review 2203

Director Andrzej Bartowiak’s 2003 movie stars Jet Li as a Taiwanese agent who teams up with  a gang boss (DMX) after a crook (Mark Dacascos) snatches DMX’s daughter (Paige Hurd) to get hold of his stolen black diamonds.

There’s no rest for the wicked — or the audience — in this pounding action thriller that only stops a couple of times for soppy parental stuff with the girl. The filming is slick, the story is serviceable and the action is spectacular.

If Jet Li seems a little bit tired, hip-hop star DMX really looks and acts the part, while baddies Dacascos and Kelly Hu (from The Scorpion King) are both on high-kicking form and deserve better-developed and bigger roles. Also in the cast are Tom Arnold, Anthony Anderson, Gabrielle Union and Michael Jace.

There’s not much heart but there are lots of blood and guts.

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 2203

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