The Art of War

Plot

Shaw is an operative for the United Nations' covert dirty-tricks squad, using espionage and quasi-ethical tactics to secure peace and cooperation…

Release Year: 2000

Rating: 5.6/10 (15,289 voted)

Critic's Score: 30/100

Director:
Christian Duguay

Stars: Wesley Snipes, Anne Archer, Maury Chaykin

Storyline
Shaw is an operative for the United Nations' covert dirty-tricks squad, using espionage and quasi-ethical tactics to secure peace and cooperation. When a shipping container full of dead Vietnamese refugees turns up on the docks and China's ambassador is gunned down at a dinner celebrating a new trade agreement with China and the US, Shaw is framed for the murder and must evade the FBI and Triad gangsters to find out what is really going on.

Writers: Wayne Beach, Wayne Beach

Cast:

Wesley Snipes
–

Neil Shaw

Anne Archer
–

Eleanor Hooks

Maury Chaykin
–

Frank Capella

Marie Matiko
–

Julia Fang

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
–

David Chan

Michael Biehn
–

Robert Bly

Donald Sutherland
–

Douglas Thomas

Liliana Komorowska
–

Jenna Novak

James Hong
–

Ambassador Wu

Paul Hopkins
–

Ray, FBI Agent

Glen Chin
–

Ochai

Ron Yuan
–

Ming

Bonnie Mak
–

Anna Li

Uni Park
–

Tina Chan

Erin Selby
–

Hong Kong Reporter

Taglines:
Who is your foe?

Details

Official Website:
Warner Bros. |

Release Date: 25 August 2000

Filming Locations: Hong Kong, China

Box Office Details

Budget: $40,000,000

(estimated)

Opening Weekend: $10,410,993
(USA)
(27 August 2000)
(2630 Screens)

Gross: $30,208,599
(USA)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min
 |
Germany: 116 min
(cut version)

Did You Know?

Trivia:

Before appearing in this film, Wesley Snipes read a copy of Sun Tzu's "Art of War" in
Passenger 57.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible:
When the car explodes outside of the cafe, the camera cuts to an inside shot through the windows. The explosion wires attached to the windows to make them shatter are visible.

Quotes:

[first lines]

Jenna Novak:
What is he waiting for?
[putting on headset]

Jenna Novak:
What are you waiting for?

Neil Shaw:
[over radio]
Novak, I'm experiencing the moment.

Bly:
He's going to experience a Chinese labor camp in a moment if he doesn't stick to schedule.

User Review

Awesome guilty pleasure!

Rating: 7/10

Wesley Snipes has always been trusty in the action genre. He has great
charisma and looks totally cool when kicking the crap out of the bad guys.
Ever since his breakthrough role in "Passenger 57." There are many great
moments of action in "The Art of War." Sure, the plot is far from
compelling, but the energy and fast pace keeps it fueled.

"The Art of War" is not a work of art, but it's a great popcorn flick and
one that won't put you to sleep! I just wish they could've done something
about the cliches. I'm not going to give anything away, so I'll just say,
"Why is it in these movies the characters never seem to know who their
limo
driver is?" It's an overused cliche and a cheap surprise.

My score: 7 (out of 10)