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War
Metascore
36 out of 100

Generally unfavorable - based on 15 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 15
  3. Negative: 5 out of 15
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  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Marc Bernardin
    67
    There are few cinematic crimes more heinous than making a boring action movie. Sadly, that's what the first hour of Triads-versus-Yakuza thriller War is.
  2. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Ken Fox
    63
    It's a complicated plot, but one that leaves plenty of room for everything a fan could want: gunplay, swordfights, brutal mano a mano fisticuffs, motorcycle races, car chases, Japanese gangsters eating sushi off of topless women, and that old standby, a decapitated head in a box.
  3. Premiere
    Reviewed by: Paul Semel
    63
    War is like Statham's other actioners "The Transporter" and "Crash" -- fun, but not big or dumb enough to be glorious.
  4. Variety
    Reviewed by: Joe Leydon
    50
    Quickly devolves into a standard-issue crime drama laced with routine martial artistry.
  5. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Nathan Rabin
    42
    In spite of a late-game adrenaline surge, the hoped-for fireworks between Li and Statham never quite materialize.
  6. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Frank Scheck
    40
    Lacking even the galvanizing action sequences that would have compensated for suffering through its formulaic plot, this is a thoroughly forgettable exploitationer that will not enhance its stars' resumes.
  7. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Michael Ferraro
    40
    Perhaps this movie would have been better off if it starred Steven Seagal and Tom Arnold.
  8. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Toddy Burton
    40
    The action sequences are shot in close-ups and with such rapid editing, it's nearly impossible to find a sense of rhythm let alone follow what's happening.
  9. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Andy Webster
    40
    Most regrettably, War squanders the considerable merits of its leads.
  10. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: J.R. Jones
    40
    Routine crime thriller.
  11. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Sam Adams
    30
    War ties itself in knots trying to bring something new to a stale formula. It's never painful to watch, but that's only because it provokes no feeling at all.
  12. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Peter Hartlaub
    25
    If you want to see Li and Statham in an underwhelming martial arts film, rent "The One" instead. Li talks considerably more in that movie, but at least he punches a lot of people out.
  13. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Wesley Morris
    25
    Fun here is fleeting.
  14. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Jason McBride
    25
    A kind of dumbed-down, souped-up action thriller in a quasi-"Lethal Weapon" mode.
  15. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Jim Ridley
    20
    What is it good for? Absolutely nothing. Offering neither the enjoyably preposterous auto-heroics of the Transporter movies nor the lithe, legible athleticism of even second-tier Hong Kong thrillers.
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.5 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 17
  3. Negative: 4 out of 17
  1. asylumspadez
    5
    As expected, It was a solid action flick that was worth watching for Li and Statham alone. The twist at the end was a little expected but still worked out good. It was ok but not as good as I expected it to be.… Full Review »
  2. EricM
    7
    I thought this was an alright movie.
  3. tylerh
    10
    this movie was packed with action from the get go and u don t see that, that much anymore
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