Unleashed

Name: Unleashed
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller, Romance, Crime
Released: May 13, 2005
Duration: 102 min
Rating: 58
Cast: Bob Hoskins, Jet Li, Morgan Freeman

2005

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 31 Critics

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 166 Ratings

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8.8

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8.8	User Score Universal acclaim based on 166 Ratings

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UNLEASHED

Movie Details & Credits

Not Rated

Focus Features | Release Date: May 13, 2005

Starring: Bob Hoskins, Jet Li, Morgan Freeman

Summary: On and beneath the meanest streets of Glasgow, fiery gangster Bart (Hoskins) is merciless with debtors, would-be rivals, and anyone else to whom he even takes a passing dislike. How does Bart maintain his chokehold? Through his unwitting enforcer Danny (Li), who he has "raised" since boyhood. (Rogue Pictures)

Director: Louis Leterrier

Genre(s): Action, Drama, Thriller, Romance, Crime, Music

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 102 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Entertainment Weekly - Gregory Kirschling

Bounding out of the gate like a greyhound, Unleashed needs only its first 30 seconds or so to elevate itself well above the average action potboiler. Read full review

Chicago Reader - Andrea Gronvall

Pierre Morel's diving, spiraling camera keeps pace with Yuen Wo-ping's rapid-fire fight choreography, all smartly directed by Louis Leterrier. Read full review

San Francisco Chronicle - Peter Hartlaub

When Danny takes off his collar for the last time, Besson's plan becomes clear: You may have paid for an hour and a half of escapist entertainment, but he just provided something much better. Read full review

New York Daily News - Jami Bernard

Unleashed serves two masters, each one disappointingly: It's a brutal series of over-amped fights, and it's a touching story of human nature at war with itself. Read full review

Variety - Lisa Nesselson

Slick transitions and punchy pace leave just enough time for Hopkins and Freeman to make dopey dialogue sound far smarter than it is. And as both pit bull and puppy dog, Jet Li convinces. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine - Maitland McDonagh

The film's bizarreness pales next to that of little-known exploitation film "Sonny Boy" (1990), which weaves similar material into something authentically nightmarish. Read full review

Village Voice - Benjamin Strong

Cloying dreck. Read full review

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User Reviews

GodlessGOD

Nov 20, 2011

Unleashed (a.k.a. Danny The Dog) is a gangster-fairytale-martial arts-drama about a man who not only was never given the chance to grow up, but was raised as a dog. I've seen hundreds of martial arts action films and I have no problem saying that Unleashed is easily one of the best EnglishUnleashed (a.k.a. Danny The Dog) is a gangster-fairytale-martial arts-drama about a man who not only was never given the chance to grow up, but was raised as a dog. I've seen hundreds of martial arts action films and I have no problem saying that Unleashed is easily one of the best English language martial arts action films of all-time! Not only was the action on point but the acting was actually good. Morgan Freeman does a decent enough job (not his best work) but Bob Hoskins blew me away as the wicked uncle! The biggest surprise though was the dramatic chops of Jet Li! He displays a childlike innocence in this role that makes you actually care what happens to him so you end up truly feeling for his character. He gives a stellar emotional and physical performance as an actor, everything from his posture to his emotionally expressive, soulful eyes. He takes you on a journey from animalistic pit-bull-like ferocity to docile puppy-like innocence, curiosity, and vulnerability. You experience moments of humor, drama, & edge of your seat-brutal action sequences! I know some people were put off by the quieter sections of the film when the studio marketed it as some sort of non-stop action flick, but the truth is this movie has heart... Which I find refreshing for this type of film. Simply put, Unleashed was off-the-chain! P.S. Just a WARNING: I own the dvd and when you first put it in it gives you a choice between the Unrated & Extended versions of the film... DO NOT WATCH the extended version for the first viewing! The extended sections ruin the fight scenes with poor video and audio quality, I don't even think they added sound effects.… Expand

8 of 8 users found this helpful80

Dave

Oct 22, 2005

I can't rate this movie high enoigh. Totally unexpected stuff from Jet Li. Combines the best martial arts seen in any Hollywood fllm with brilliant dramatic performances by Jet Li and Morgan Freeman. A rare gem and touching story... this movie is hard to top. I give the movie and story I can't rate this movie high enoigh. Totally unexpected stuff from Jet Li. Combines the best martial arts seen in any Hollywood fllm with brilliant dramatic performances by Jet Li and Morgan Freeman. A rare gem and touching story... this movie is hard to top. I give the movie and story 9/10, but 10/10 for effort.… Expand