Customer Reviews

A Man Apart

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

this is so far the only movie that i think van diesel really got some potential being a real actor. he did well in this film and very convincing. the script is somewhat too loose and random. the camera did well, directing could be better. by viewing the deleted scenes, i was pleased that the editor/director did a better job by deleting those purposeless scenes. one of the firefights scenes is the 2nd best shooting scenes i've ever seen besides the 'heat'. not bad at all, 'casue i didn't fall asleep as when i watched segal's 'out for a kill', i indeed fall asleep during it. van diesel still has to work on his two dead fish eyes. he need put more energy into his focus of his eyes, then he would become even better.

This is, as everyone knows, Vin Diesel's proof that he has range and depth with a character emotionally. He himself has said he loves getting in tune with a character. (Obviously moreso with his "Riddick" character of course.) So A Man Apart never seemed to be even hyped so much as a fantastic movie but moreso that Vin Diesel had to be a fantastic actor.

The plot was very tired as everyone has pointed out. There are dozens of movies similar to this. A cop's significant other/child/family was murdered (sometimes, and in this case as well, the main character was supposed to be killed right along with them) ordered by a convict whom this said cop busted in some way. Cop seeks revenge. Cop gets revenge.

A Man Apart is the same way, but carried by a normally rough-and-tumble action star (ironically, even this movie is labeled "Action") showing that he can pull off these extreme emotional stakes. Many thought it would be laughable to see Vin Diesel nearly loose his mind and go on a killing spree to avenge his wife. But like the man or not, he pulled this role off powerfully.

Sean watching his wife die under him while she was smiling through bloodied teeth repeating "I'm okay, I'm fine.." while he couldn't even speak on the phone to the police was wrenching to even watch. The bloodshot eyes (when drinking on the beach behind his house), the few seconds when realization first struck in while crying his wife's name (when Demetrius had to hold him down in his hospital bed), and the "come down" after the purposely insane shootout after he beats the man who actually did kill his wife, cleaning his wedding ring on his hand were undoubtedly the most powerful scenes in this movie. It was impossible not to empathize somehow with Sean Vetter during some points during this film.

If you like Vin Diesel and want to see his range in a not so emotionally strong role, this is a good flick to add to your collection.

The DVD itself was awful, the deleted scenes were up to three minutes max, no behind the scenes or making-of, and no commentary that you would think/hope this kind of movie would have. If you want Vin DVD's that are WELL worth the money, buy XXX and the new unrated directors cut of Pitch Black (that also has many The Chronicles of Riddick extra also), you won't be disappointed.

Rating System:
1 star = abysmal; some books deserve to be forgotten
2 star = poor; a total waste of time
3 star = good; worth the effort
4 star = very good; what writing should be
5 star = fantastic; must own it and share it with others

STORY: DEA agent is out to take revenge on the drug dealers that killed his wife.

MY FEEDBACK:
1) Forget XXX or Fast & Furious, this is a much better Vin Diesle movie (Pitch Black is still his best though). Vin does some decent acting and his general charisma carry a large portion of the movie.

2) Good attempt at developing the relationship of Vin's character with other characters in the movie

3) Not a huge action flick but enough guns to keep this drama moving

4) Some suspension of belief is needed in this movie

5) Seemed the editing didn't explain a plot twist or two but cut things out leaving gaps in the story.

OVERALL: We enjoyed the movie and didn't feel like we wasted out time with it.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story and action of the movie.
I still can't understand why there is such use of the "f" word - it sounds so much like an adolescent rebellion and un-educated persons who don't know how to use english.

And face it guys - bare bodies aren't all that exciting -- gee!
Attitude, presence, chrisma is what comes across to make a great character. Vin Diesel comes across well as does his partner.

Generally all around good action - gross language [in spots] great villians - great photography - well put together. Wouldn't change it, except............

Vin Diesel stars as a DEA Agent out for revenge in "A Man Apart" and the results are solid.

THE STORY:

Former gang banger turned DEA Agent Sean Vetter makes the biggest bust of his career taking down the biggest drug distributor on the West Coast. Before he can celebrate his victory his wife is killed in a plot of revenge. Vetter must cope with his lose while setting out to find the people who killed his wife while keeping a new drug lord from taking over the turf.

THE COOL THINGS:

This is your standard macho tough guy "take no prisoners" movie. Diesel's cool "tough guy" persona shines through as he makes the rounds kicking butt and taking names of all the bad guy drug dealers out there. The powerful undertones of loss and companionship as Vetter's boys help him out makes the movie touching as well as a good action flick.

THE DVD EXTRAS:

DVD special fiends are in for a disappointment here as the movie only has 7 deleted scenes (all crappy) and trailers to speak for it. Surprisingly there's no commentary or featurettes to speak of.

THE VERDICT:

"A Man Apart" makes a solid rental for the evening and is definitely worth a watch. As far getting the DVD goes, with no features to speak of this one is probably only worth the pick up by true Diesel fans and collectors.

Final Grades:

Movie: 4 stars
Extras: 3 stars

Total: 3.5 stars

I must say i was impressed by this movie,Vin Diesel can actually act.Unlike xXx which i hated with a passion,this movie shows a more emotional side of Diesel,something we definately are not use to seeing.He actually cry's,get's nervous,get's hurt,everything a real human would do,unlike xXx were he goes through flame's,jumps motorcycles through the air like spiderman,never gets hit once,not one drop of blood etc.So watch this and you actually won't think it's lame,like most action star's with one liner's.He actually does more:)

Despite the mixed critiques, luke warm reviews, A Man Apart ain't all that bad...Diesel is still in his early stage of his acting career so there is much room for improvement...You still have to give the man an A for effort at least. But, soon he will definitely need something to really prove that he can play other well rounded or multi-faceted in-depth roles to avoid being stereo type casted or stuck as the tougher than tough and take no bs guy for the rest of his career.There's only so many limited "don't f with me, man" expressions viewers can take.Otherwise, it will just be Vin Diesel, well, playing Vin Diesel...

What the film may also lack in story depth it makes up for in it's quick and fast paced action. The thrilling twist did keep me as a viewer interested as to who El Diablo (the new cartel druglord taking over a major pipeline) was. Early in the film I thought it was one character but was actually surprised and got a chuckle that it was someone else ! You'll never guess who it is until towards the end...Diesel's portrayal as Sean Vetter, a somewhat renegade DEA officer, trying to smoke out El Diablo for a personal vendetta does allow Diesel's acting abilities to show some vulnerbale and emotional moments without the man totally breaking down or hitting a melodramatic melting point...

The video and audio technical aspects, well, are your average to pretty good run of the mill stuff. Surround effects are effective for ricocheting bullets, cars exploding, and packed with rumbling bass for some pivotal scenes. The video transfer is clean and film-like with no harsh grain or color bleeding. Darks are dark to black and lights are light to bright...Clean picture, clean sound.

As a casual Saturday evening, stay-in-home flick, A Man Apart is worth viewing once, but maybe not twice.

I love Vin Diesel, and I think this movie is one of his best. In my mind, it is much better than XXX. I think this movie allowed Diesel to show emotion in his acting, not just a kick ass and who cares attitude. Great Movie!

I know a lot of people laugh at the thought, but this film illustrates that Vin Diesel can act...he's actually damn good at it.

I think this is Diesel's best film ever. Sure, it's got lots of action and fighting, but what really makes this movie for me is the transformation of Diesel's character from beginning to end. It's quite possibly the most tangible thing throughout the entire film. That's not even doing it justice...it jumps out the screen, grabs your heart in it's fist and bursts it...yeah, that's a little better.

You owe it to yourself to at least check this film out as a rental. You'll be glad you did.

In this action film Vin Diesel portrays an ex-gang member turned Los Angeles DEA undercover agent Sean Vetters. Upon successfully arresting and jailing the kingpin of a Mexicali drug cartel, Vetters finds himself the victim of the cartel's retribution. In a hit meant for him his wife Stacy is killed instead. Vetters' sense of rationality in the wake of his wife's death is lost. His moral bearings are buried along with her. In comes a new drug lord named Diablo who reestablishes control over the vast shipment of cocaine transported between Mexico and the U.S. The downfall of Diablo becomes the centerpiece of Vetters' existence as he seeks his own form of retribution. This film is full of shoot out scenes. Sometimes it's hard to keep track of who's the good guy and who isn't. Larenz Tate displays good chemistry is portraying Vetters' partner Demetrius Hicks. Vin Diesel is an excellent action hero plus I love the voice and the attitude. Nothing is new in the characterization of the drug cartel participants. If you don't mind hearing the "f" word used every two seconds, this is the movie for you.