Why Jason Statham and Jet Li’s ‘War’ is the Underrated Action Gem You Need to Watch!

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2007’s film “War” may not be the most critically acclaimed action movie in either Jet Li or Jason Statham‘s careers, but it is worth reconsidering. Directed by Philip G. Atwell, “War” revolves around FBI agent John Crawford (Statham) and his relentless pursuit of vengeance against the assassin responsible for the murder of his partner Tom Lone (Terry Chen) and his family. This enigmatic figure, known as Rogue (Jet Li), resurfaces three years later in San Francisco just as a conflict between local yakuza and Triad bosses threatens to erupt. Crawford is intent on taking down Rogue permanently, but as the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that Rogue harbors an unforeseen plan.

The film initially known as “Rogue” was later renamed to “War“. This movie signified a reunion of Li and Statham since their previous collaboration in “The One“, but unfortunately, it didn’t turn out to be the action blockbuster many anticipated and received generally unfavorable reviews. Despite this, Li and Statham would collaborate again in the Expendables series. Over time, “War” has evolved into a somewhat overlooked martial arts crime thriller gem, making it worth another look for fans of both actors, particularly for its unexpected twist ending.

War Merges Different Action Sub-Genres In An Effective Combo

One striking aspect of the film War is its seamless blend of various action movie genres, such as FBI crime thrillers and yakuza thrillers. Directed by Philip G. Atwell, War initially presents as an FBI crime drama with Jason Statham’s character John Crawford, a tenacious and rough-around-the-edges agent, pursuing his target relentlessly alongside Terry Chen’s Tom Lone, a capable partner who maintains a more composed demeanor. As the story unfolds, it introduces an element of yakuza intrigue, with Ryo Ishibashi’s Shiro Yanagawa serving as the formidable antagonist, orchestrating criminal activities from behind the scenes in San Francisco, and the movie’s plot further complicated by warring crime families, specifically the conflict between Shiro’s yakuza and Li Chang’s Triad family.

Undeniably, featuring Jet Li as co-star alongside Statham, and fight sequences orchestrated by the late action legend Corey Yuen, War embodies the pulsating essence of a classic Hong Kong action film within its core. Essentially, War unfolds as a chilling tale of Crawford’s vengeance against Shiro and Rogue for the brutal slaying of Tom and his kin. The movie skillfully juggles multiple genres while maintaining a cohesive narrative from the outset, and when it comes to its revenge theme, it reserves its most impressive twist for the climax.

War Puts Statham & Li Into Their Darkest Movie (& This May Have Caught Audiences Off-Guard)

The marketing for the movie War presented it as a high-octane, rapid martial arts action thriller starring two global action icons. Yet, it can be debated that this portrayal was somewhat exaggerated – not to the extent of false advertising, but still worth noting. While War delivers on action with Crawford’s pursuit of Rogue and Shiro, its pace is somewhat slower than suggested by the trailer and poster. For instance, Li’s fight scene with Kane Kosugi, while impressive, is relatively brief, and Kosugi remains underappreciated in the martial arts movie world despite his role in 2013’s Ninja II: Shadow of a Tear alongside Scott Adkins. However, what truly caught viewers off guard was the somber tone of War – an aspect not hinted at in its promotional materials.

In contrast to the action-packed trailers, “War” is actually a deeply gloomy, bitterly revengeful film that might not have been a problem on its own. However, the shocking twist in the third act makes “War” a tragic revenge thriller where the vengeance seems more heartbreaking than relieving. The trailer promised 100 minutes of Jet Li and Jason Statham at war, but the film’s conclusion and its overall somber tone may have left audiences feeling taken aback, as it was not what they were anticipating. Initially, I found “War” a bit hard to appreciate due to this unexpected shift in tone. However, upon reflection, the twist serves as a satisfying resolution to the movie’s dark tale of vengeance within an underworld crime story.

The Twist In War Is Still Amazing (& Completely Pulls The Rug Out From Under The Audience)

In the climactic third act of War, it’s revealed that when Rogue confronts Shiro, it isn’t actually Rogue but Lone, who had been masquerading as Rogue. This revelation comes during an impressive sword fight, the film’s standout martial arts sequence. The truth unveiled is that Lone was the one who attacked the Lone family at Shiro’s command, and when he fought back, Lone managed to kill Rogue. To seek revenge on Shiro, Lone faked his own death by burning down the house and underwent plastic surgery and vocal chord alterations to assume Rogue’s identity. However, before beheading Shiro, Lone is surprised by another reveal – that Crawford was an FBI informant working for Shiro, who had betrayed Lone’s identity and location to him. At the time, Lone believed that Rogue (who he thought was dead) had been killed by Shiro’s enforcers as retaliation for his failed attempt on Rogue’s life in the movie’s opening scene.

In the climactic scene of the film War, the unexpected twist flips the roles of Li and Statham from protagonist to antagonist, stunning viewers. When these characters finally clash in the film’s intense warehouse showdown, the audience’s allegiance has dramatically shifted. Instead of a typical revenge fight, we witness a struggle between allies over betrayal. The moment when Lone refuses Crawford’s plea for forgiveness and shoots him in cold blood is particularly hard to take, especially after spending much of the movie supporting Lone’s quest for vengeance against Rogue. Despite Lone having exacted his revenge and moving on to start a new life, the revelation that it was Crawford who betrayed Lone is a heavy truth for viewers to accept, as they had been invested in Lone’s struggle against Rogue throughout the movie.

Despite initially finding War somewhat overwhelming upon first watch, taking the time to reflect on it reveals its true power as an action-packed thriller starring Jet Li and Jason Statham. The movie offers impressive martial arts fight scenes and stunts, seamlessly blending genres in a captivating way. What sets War apart is its surprising twist ending, which has left audiences stunned and contemplative for years. Both actors have an impressive collection of modern action classics to their names, making War a hidden gem in the martial arts crime thriller genre that they both excel in.

You can stream War on Paramount+.

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2025-03-25 18:44