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Clive Owen, Paul Giamatti, Monica Bellucci, Stephen McHattie, Greg Bryk ... see more see more... , Daniel Pilon , Sidney Mende-Gibson , Lucas Mende-Gibson , Kaylyn Yellowlees , Ramona Pringle , Julian Richings , tony munch , Scott McCord , Wiley M. Pickett , Stephen R. Hart , David Ury , Mike Rad , Andy Mackenzie , Laura DeCarteret , Ryan Finn , Marla Vacratsis , Suresh John , Jay Reso , Jane McLean , Dave Van Zeyl , Layton Morrison , Jo Anne Leach , Frank Tiefenbach , David Collins , Steve Richard , Harry Karp , Dean Copkov , Michael Edward Rose , Frank T. Nakashima

Clive Owen stars in this gritty, over the top action thriller as Mr. Smith, a gun-toting badass with a hair trigger and an unknown past. He's far from a doctor and farther from a parent, but when he u... read more read more...nwittingly discovers an innocent woman delivering a baby right in the middle of a gunfight, Smith enters the fray to save her and though the woman expires, he is the one left in care of the orphaned child. He thinks that the killers were after the woman, but soon he realizes that they had a far more unlikely target: the baby. Smith's regular company is a seedy underworld full of unsavory characters, so he takes the child to the closest thing he knows to a mother: a sultry prostitute played by Monica Bellucci, who specializes in clientele with a mommy fetish. Teamed with his hot but unlikely partner, Smith unloads barrel after barrel to protect the mysterious baby from Mr. Hertz, a ruthless criminal mastermind played by Paul Giamatti. Smith plans to figure out why Hertz and his thugs are after the baby, but if he can't uncover the truth, he'll settle for leaving them all dead in the process. ~ Cammila Albertson, Rovi

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66% liked it

301,931 ratings

Critics

66% liked it

159 critics

R, 1 hr. 27 min.

Directed by: Michael Davis

Release Date: September 7, 2007

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DVD Release Date: January 1, 2008

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Stats: 31,828 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (31,828)

  • jmanard52
    March 2, 2008
    jmanard52
    This is such a great movie. Balls to the walls action. Did i mention Moncia Belluci?? Oh yeah
  • cosmo313
    March 25, 2012
    cosmo313
    In this over-the-top frenetic action romp, we've got an everyman named Smith (Owen) with a love for carrots who, after coming to the aid of a pregnant woman and helping her give birth (during a shootout no less) finds himself the target of a gang of thugs led by an off-kilter hen... read morepecked hitman named Hertz (Giamatti) who want the baby dead, and will stop at nothing to accomplish their goal. Along with a hooker whose specialty is lactation (Bellucci) it's up to Smith to stop the bad guys, save the baby, and figure out just what the hell is going on.That's the set up for this film, and, just because it might seem like it's right up your alley, that might not necessarily be true.

    Normally, I'm all for ridiculous balls to the wall bullet fest action movies like this, but I wasn't really blown away by this one. Sure, it's quirky, wacky, and sometimes really creative, inventive, and fun, but that doesn't mean it all adds up to something that's good or worthwhile as a whole. I did dig that this was basically a love action and violent Looney Tunes episode (and there's tons of references to back this up, especially some very obvious and unsubtle ones), but all the references, wackiness, and insane set pieces (I never knew carrots could be used in the ways that they are here, or that I'd ever see shootouts take place during both sex and childbirth...and that you could use a gun to cut the umbilical cord), but stuff like this is just a lot fo flash with no real meat behind it.

    Also, as for this film giving John Woo a run for his money...nice try, but not quite. His films might have insane gun battles that test one's suspension of disbelief, but they also have a strong sense of artistry, style, and some weight to them. This is just hollow spectacle for the sake of it. There's some great needle drops sure, which is a big help, but even then, this film just comes off as trying way too hard.

    Not only that, but there's some really sloppily handled messages (and mixed ones, to boot) concerning gun laws. Ultimately, the film coems off as a tad irresponsible and unclear, and that's a bad sign. I know, I should jsut shut up and enjoy, right? Well, I did...at times. It jsut didn't last, and this is ultiamtely a film I'm surprised to be feeling rather negative about. None of the cast are ruining their careers here, but they're not exactly doing them many favors. However, it is nice to see Giamatti change it up once and a while, and he at least looks like he's having some fun.

    All in all, a real missed opportunity. This film wants so bad to be the next great cult classic. Too bad thta writer/director Michael Davis didn't get the memo that a film can't try to be a campy cult classic...it just has to come naturally.
  • phubbs1
    February 9, 2012
    phubbs1
    I expected crap cgi nonsense and was pleasantly surprised,
    the first thing I noticed about this crazy 'robocop/total recall topping death tollathon' was the action gun battles are really well done and look realistic, there's no obvious cgi effects in there and its all very gritt... read morey and cool, over the top but cool.

    The whole thing is really dumb lets be honest, the story is awful and the main lead, Owen, is totally miscast in my opinion, he's just not this kind of action man or can't fit the role. It is funny though, gives Arnie a run for the money with wisecracks after gunning down the lastest henchman..of which there are no end of haha.

    There are some stupid sequences that do spoil the realism and hardcore violence....jumping outta a plane with following midair gun battle, jumping into a car through a sunroof from off a tall building and catapolting through a windscreen after crashing head on with a van and landing safely inside to comfortably shoot everybody! all of which are too computer gamey for me, but you have to expect that with this type of film, after all the title says it all.

    Its good for the gun battles and bloodshed, if it was Arnie I would be wetting myself with glee shame it isn't, but its good to see a good old fashioned bloodbath, and for once with little cgi shit.
  • fb223580
    November 8, 2011
    fb223580
    The most ridiculous movie I have EVER seen, had me rolling on the floor of the lounge where Phi Psis were watching it... SPOILER ALERT omg if you've ever wanted to see someone get killed by a carrot or slaughter a slew of enemies in the middle of intercourse and keep going then ... read moreyou might want to check it out
  • jarobb3
    September 16, 2011
    jarobb3
    No, it's not art, but it is awesome. It's a movie that never believes that's it's anything more than ludicrous, and that's what makes it genius. Another feather in the cap of Paul Giamatti, who seems to be able to add color to any and every character he plays.

    Full disclosure, t... read morehis movie gets an extra half a star for Monica Bellucci. I don't remember exactly what she does in this movie (pretty sure she's a prostitute, so more points for that), or if she was any good, but ... it's Monica Bellucci. Someone knew what (s)he was doing when casting.
  • Julie
    July 17, 2011
    Julie
    This was really campy and fun. I'll never look at vegetables the same way again, I'll tell you that.
  • CreedsDelight
    April 15, 2011
    CreedsDelight
    Smith: Eat your vegetables.

    Late at nighttime, in an unnamed U.S. metropolis, an introverted man (Clive Owen) sits at a bus stop. A pregnant woman runs by, pursued by a man with a gun. With unwillingness, the man at the bus stop rescues her and assists with the baby's delivery, ... read morewhile supplementary pursuer's fire at them, as well as the gang's particularly spiteful boss, an insightful man named Hertz (Paul Giamatti). Our hero, known only as Smith, determines to save the child and discover out why Hertz needs the baby dead. At a confined bordello, he tries to employ a lactating hooker to observe the child, but things rapidly go sky-high, and this rough and ready family is roughly immediately on the run.

    Hertz: Guns don't kill people, but they sure help!

    This movie is seriously a truly enjoyable movie. It's complete with action, sharp dialogue, and unforgettable lines. It is what it promises, a 90 minute action crammed romp. The wonderful Clive Owen stars as Mr. Smith, a man with a mission. Owen is ideal in this part, including everything you'd wish for in a movie akin to this (heck, he even kills an assassin with a carrot!). The story is unbelievably impractical and the whole thing is completely improbable, but I can assure that you will be entertained. Shoot 'Em Up is a great case in point of a wonderful B-movie, or even a cult classic (watch out, The Evil Dead!).

    Hertz: Do you know why a gun is better than a wife? You can put a silencer on a gun.
  • ythelastman89
    February 15, 2011
    ythelastman89
    If any movie showcases the powerhouse that is Clive Owen, it's this. You can watch this endless times and seeing him mow down goons with his food stamp bullets never gets old. It quite possibly has the most goofy array of plot devices and bizarre character elements, but that's wh... read moreat makes it so effective as a sarcastic black comedy. Thankfully, this doesn't try to be just another spoof. They play it completely serious, making the comedy way more effective. Also, all the action sequences are extremely well put together. As goofy as they are in nature, the end result becomes a cross between ridiculous and ridiculously cool.
  • danperry17
    December 3, 2010
    danperry17
    In the opening scene, Clive Owen shoots the oilpan off a car, then slides on his back to the sound of "Breed" (by Nirvana) along the cartoonishly-big slick, pistol in each hand, blasting bad guys all the way. Wow. Too bad it was the best part of this film. Very odd cartoon refere... read morences (Clive Owen seems to be Bugs Bunny, with his carrot and even the line "What's up, Doc?", at one point), but the allusion doesn't really make sense. In any case, this film is stupid fun, certainly not for the thinking man. As it went on and told more of the story I cared less and less, but there's enough to be said for it's style that it's worth seeing. Free, on TV sometimes - don't pay for it.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    October 11, 2010
    TheDudeLebowski65
    I normally hate Clive Owen vehicles, But I've made exceptions for Sin City and this film. This is one of the craziest, most over the top action films that I have ever seen. Shoot 'Em Up is one badass action film that has insane gunfights, and one killer soundtrack. Everything abo... read moreut the film is so over the top that it almost makes Crank look like a normal film by comparison . Shoot 'Em Up is a killer of a film, that is extremely entertaining. Unlike Wanted; a film that despised, I found Shoot 'em Up to be a very good action packed film. Lacking sense or story, and at times logic; Shoot 'em Up is one of the most over the top films in quite some time, what separates this film from Wanted is the fact that Wanted has constant slow motion scenes, that is very irritating and pretty pointless. But with Shoot 'Em Up, you lack a logical story, but you have tremendous action. While Wanted tried so hard to take itself so seriously, this film doesn't, and thats why this film is better and thats why it's a lot of fun. Clive Owen is usually a bad actor, but he delivers his best performance since Sin City. Paul Giamati is amusing as the bad guy. Shoot 'Em Up is a terrific action film that delivers great amounts of non-stop action and truly offers an awesome viewing experience. If crazy action flicks are your thing then give this one a viewing. The film has a somewhat decent enough story inserted between the many action packed scenes. But the thing that I appreciate about this over exaggerated action film is that unlike action flicks of this type, everyone seems to have fun on screen and pull something extremely entertaining on camera. Others like Wanted don't feel like fun, and feel like they're trying too hard to create something "awesome" on screen. Only Shoot 'em Up and Crank deliver the goods in over exaggerated action. This is an awesome thrill a minute film that doesn't disappoint. If you want to have a film that will thrill till the end, then this film is definitely for you. A truly awesome action flick that will satisfy action film junkies everywhere.

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Critic Reviews

Christy Lemire
January 3, 2008
Christy Lemire, Associated Press

After about an hour, though, it all becomes a mind-numbing barrage. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
January 3, 2008
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

One can certainly be amused and entertained by writer-director Michael Davis's hyperbolic action frolics -- I was -- but not without feeling pretty low and stupid. Full Review

Mark Bourne
January 2, 2008
Mark Bourne, Film.com

...an affectionate, often very funny Simpsons parody of its whole eponymous genre. It's a live-action McBane as co-directed by Quentin Tarantino and Chuck Jones.... Shoot 'Em Up is Hot Fuzz gone to th... Full Review

Stephen Hunter
November 3, 2007
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

It's just gunfights strung together, without a whisper of coherence or meaning. Full Review

Roger Ebert
September 15, 2007
Roger Ebert, Denver Post

The most audacious, implausible, cheerfully offensive, hyperactive action picture I've seen since, oh, Sin City, which in comparison was a chamber drama. Full Review

Richard Roeper
September 10, 2007
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

A big bloody disappointment.

Stephanie Zacharek
September 7, 2007
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

The sum of the movie's exploding parts adds up to nothing -- not even just good, sick fun. Full Review

Claudia Puig
September 7, 2007
Claudia Puig, USA Today

For mainstream audiences, its whiplash pacing, frenetic camera work and offhand manner toward blood spillage probably will be disturbing. Full Review

Geoff Pevere
September 7, 2007
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star

If John Woo had directed a Bugs Bunny cartoon written by the creators of South Park, the result might be something like Shoot `Em Up, but with a crucial difference: Bugs Bunny cartoons were always les... Full Review

Ruthe Stein
September 7, 2007
Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle

Even more distressing is the presence of Owen and Paul Giamatti. I understand the concept of working as much as possible while you're hot, but it's a slippery slope. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Hertz: The leader that stays in the rear, takes it in the rear.
    • Smith: Nothin' like a good hand job.
    • Smith: [eats carrot] What's up dock?
    • Hertz: Aww you're a wascally little wabbit.
    • Smith: Fuck you you fucking fuckers!
    • Smith: Eat your vegetables.
    • Hertz: My god! Do we really suck, or is this guy really that good?
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Shoot 'Em Up Trivia

  • In Shoot 'em Up, what is the baby's name?  Answer »
  • In "Shoot 'Em Up," how was the first thug killed?  Answer »
  • In "Shoot 'Em Up," Hertz (Paul Giamatti) shoots how many baby bottles in the Donna's (Monica Bellucci) room?  Answer »
  • What is the name of Clive Owens new movie?  Answer »
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