Cradle 2 the Grave

A thief steals a stash of black diamonds and this accidentally involves his family in an international terrorist plot since the diamonds are not just your typical diamonds. He joins forces with a mysterious guy who is dressed in all black and can kick serious ass with his martial arts skills to set things right. And, of course, kill the bad guys.

The plot is pretty silly, but the action is decent so if you just want to see a cheesy action movie, this is a pretty good choice. However, the film tries hard to have a dramatic and thriller edge that is just laughable. It tries to go push itself into a larger scope by the end. That is where you'll either tell yourself that you enjoyed the movie, or whether the whole thing just crashed and burned for you. However there is a good array of stunts and Jet Li shows off what he does best (again). However, at the same time the some of the action scenes seem to beg you into thinking that they are good with their fast paced editing and slow mo that doesn't really manage to cover up much of their mediocrity.

Basically it is just a direct-to-video action movie, but with star power. It was that, and only that, which provided it with its theater run. --- 5/10

Rated R for violence and profanity

What could have been a reasonably acceptable action vehicle for Jet Li became completely annoying thanks to the obligatory (and ridiculously lame) inclusion of what I'd call Hollywood's fascination with "family values" and "kiddie cuteness". An R-rated action picture is no place for cutesy, resourceful brats and there's nothing more bland than an action hero straddled with a family or family members in peril. It all reeks with middle-class political correctness and made the DMX character an unnecessary annoyance. Real villains would have made short work of the kid's ears and gotten a little cooperation from that rapper a lot sooner. This one's pathetically wimpy, even with Jet versus the ultimate fighting boys; not having any gratuitous nudity is unforgivable also, especially when you set the audience up for some!

If you are in for some entertainment, if you like rap music, and/or martial arts films you will enjoy the music. If you prefer good art cinema, or you really look for logic even in the fun films, this one is not for you. I enjoyed it, but I am not sure that my other, more serious ego would have liked the film in any other situation. This film (can somebody explain me the title) is just entertainment, but what are the James Bond films? 6 out of 10 on my personal scale.

Not a bad movie but nothing spectacular in terms of originality...

DMX beats up some people. Jet Li beats up some people. Gabrielle Union takes (most of) her clothes off (with her fine self). Lots of stuff breaks and blows up.

6 out of 10; I'd wait for the DVD...

This is a buddy movie action film . The stars are Jet Li and DMX which unite forces to vanquish an evil and ominous person : Mark Dacascos who wants some precious stones with the aim to make as weapons . The villain abducts his daughter and the starring has to rescue her.

In the movie there is action , tongue-in-cheek , struggles of Kung Fu style , pursuits , comedy and packs a lot of bemusement . Jet Li likeness his contender Mark Dacascos fight of incredible manners . Jet Li's role only fights with one hand for the majority of the movie . The final showdown is overwhelming and breathtaking . Performance is middling but it's an action film where important are the quarrels and the pursuits . Support cast is pretty good such as Kelly Hu , Gabrielle Unión , Paige Hurd , and Paolo Seganti . Tom Arnold and Anthony Anderson interpret a humorous and first-rate couple . Not only is this the 2nd film to star DMX, Jet Li, and Anthony Anderson together , it is the first film where all three of them share screen time with each other . All three of them starred in Romeo Must Die . At one point, Aaliyah was set to star in the film until her untimely death in 2001. And even Arnold Schwarzenegger was slated to star . It contains a colorful and evocative cinematography by Daryn Okada. As well as a thrilling and stirring musical score by John Frizzell. The motion picture was regular but professionally directed by Andrzej Bartowiak . Rating : 6 , mediocre but entertaining . Acceptable and passable