The Art of War
The Art of War

The Art of War

2000
Movie
117 min
English

Neil Shaw is both agent and weapon - a critical line of defense for the Secretary General of the United Nations. He does not even officially exist. As an international security expert, he must uncover an international plot in which ruthless terrorists threatened to bring down the United Nations on the eve of an historic summit with China. A mysterious chain of events leads to the murder of the Chinese U.N. Ambassador, and the terrorists frame Neil Shaw, the one man they believe can stop them. Accused of the crime, Shaw goes underground — in effect, vanishing from his own life — as he tries to stop what could become World War III.

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IMDb5.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes14%
Metacritic33/100
Google Users50%
Director: Christian DuguayGenres: Action, Crime, Thriller

Plot Summary

A special operative for a shadowy international organization is framed for the murder of a UN diplomat and must go on the run to clear his name. He enlists the help of a former associate and a journalist to uncover a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of power. The operative finds himself battling not only his former employers but also a relentless Interpol agent determined to bring him to justice.

Critical Reception

The Art of War received generally negative reviews from critics, with many criticizing its predictable plot, generic action sequences, and uninspired performances. Audiences also found the film to be a forgettable entry in the action genre, though some viewers appreciated Wesley Snipes's performance.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film suffers from a derivative plot that offers little in the way of surprises.
  • Action sequences are functional but lack originality or excitement.
  • Wesley Snipes delivers a competent performance, but it's not enough to elevate the material.

Google audience: Google users had mixed feelings about the film. Many found it to be a standard action thriller with some enjoyable moments, particularly from the lead actor. However, a significant portion of viewers felt the plot was unoriginal and the execution lacked depth, leading to a generally lukewarm reception.

Fun Fact

The film's plot involves a complex international conspiracy, mirroring themes found in Sun Tzu's ancient military treatise of the same name, although the film itself is a modern action thriller.

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