Unleash the Untamed: The Jaw-Dropping Premise of Jet Li's Overlooked Gem

Numerous films have portrayed a skilled assassin as the main character, proficient in fighting, killing, and eliminating targets under a cruel and corrupt leadership, without grasping the true meaning of human life. However, the 2005 action thriller, Unleashed, takes this premise to new heights, delivering an intensely impactful and emotionally stirring storyline.

Renowned martial arts action star, Jet Li, has taken part in several thrilling English language movies, including Romeo Must Die, The One, Kiss of the Dragon, and Cradle 2 The Grave. Nevertheless, Unleashed can arguably be considered his most exceptional English language film, as it provides him with a role that showcases his vulnerability and emotional complexity.

What is Unleashed about?

In Unleashed, Jet Li portrays Danny, a formidable and lethal fighter who functions as the personal protector of Bart, a British gangster and loan shark played by the late Bob Hoskins (known for his role in the original Super Mario Bros. movie). Bart treats Danny as though he were an attack dog, maintaining control over him by fitting a metal collar around his neck. Whenever individuals fail to pay their debts, Bart removes the collar, instructing Danny to physically harm or even eliminate them. In his collared state, Danny becomes a reserved and introverted individual who struggles with social interaction.

One fateful day, Bart, Danny, and their driver come under attack by an army of mobsters seeking vengeance after Danny's previous altercation with them. Despite sustaining injuries, Danny manages to evade the gunfire and seeks refuge with an elderly blind man named Sam, portrayed by Morgan Freeman. Sam is a piano tuner whom Danny had previously crossed paths with briefly at a warehouse, where Sam had begun teaching Danny how to play the piano. Sam, along with his stepdaughter Victoria, warmly welcomes Danny into their home, tending to his wounds from the car attack, providing him with nourishment and clothing, and further enlightening him about the piano and the world of music.

Through the influence of Sam and Victoria, Danny experiences a substantial improvement in his contentment and sociability. Nonetheless, he still encounters moments of isolation and unease when they inquire about his metal collar. As Sam brings up the topic of Victoria's deceased parents, Danny becomes increasingly curious about his own past, including his childhood with his mother. This newfound understanding of his mother and his interest in playing the piano gradually empowers Danny, transforming him into a more self-assured individual with ambitions and dreams. Consequently, he begins to view Sam and Victoria as his new family.

Upon discovering that Bart survived the car attack, Danny endeavors to express his desire to abandon his violent and murderous tendencies to his merciless boss. However, Bart adamantly insists on continuing their illicit activities in order to accumulate greater financial gain. This requires Danny to engage in brutal confrontations within an underground fighting ring. Initially resistant to reentering the ring, Danny eventually manages to subdue his opponents without inflicting fatal harm, much to Bart's infuriation and revulsion. By disregarding Bart's desires, Danny aims to terminate his life of violence and embrace a happier, more serene existence surrounded by individuals who genuinely care for and love him.

What did critics have to say about Unleashed?

Unleashed received mostly positive reviews for its critical reception, with many praising Jet Li's portrayal of the protagonist and considering it to be his best English language film. Critics, including the esteemed Roger Ebert, highlighted the thrilling and intense fight sequences for fans of Li and martial arts. Additionally, reviewers commended the film for successfully blending violent action with heartfelt human interactions, making it a compelling thriller. Morgan Freeman's performance as the father figure Sam and Bob Hoskins' portrayal of the villainous Bart, who deceives Danny while exploiting him, were also highly praised.

However, there were some detractors who felt that the dramatic elements of the story did not align well with Li's martial arts action. Criticism was also directed towards the film's inclusion of multiple plot elements, such as action, family drama, British gangsters, and a monster/mad scientist element reminiscent of "Frankenstein." Some viewers found fault with Li's dramatic scenes, describing them as awkward and out of place, which compromised his personality and moral compass within the film.

How does Unleashed end?

In the conclusion of Unleashed, Danny recollects that Bart was responsible for the murder of his mother when he was a child. As a result, he was taken in by a loan shark who used him as a personal fighting pet. Bart, accompanied by several men, goes to Sam's apartment building in Glasgow with the intention of capturing Danny and bringing him back alive. However, Danny defends Sam and Victoria by defeating all of Bart's henchmen in hand-to-hand combat.

During their ultimate face-off, Bart aims a gun at Danny, pressuring him to reapply the collar and resume their business together. Bart almost succeeds in convincing Danny by expressing remorse for Danny's mother and claiming that Danny is like family to him. Nevertheless, Danny refuses to comply, asserting that he is in his rightful place and proceeds to violently attack Bart in a fit of rage and vengeance for his mother. Despite Sam's intervention, preventing Danny from taking Bart's life, she reassures Danny that he is not an animal and bears no resemblance to Bart (and to emphasize her point, she strikes the loan shark with a flower pot to incapacitate him).

Danny, Sam, and Victoria share a heartfelt embrace before finding themselves in Carnegie Hall. In a touching gesture, Victoria dedicates her piano recital to Danny, playing the very songs that his mother used to play. Overwhelmed with happiness, Danny is moved to tears and shares joyful smiles with Sam. Unleashed, a captivating blend of action, human drama, and British crime, showcases Jet Li's remarkable ability to portray a character who not only possesses incredible fighting skills but also reveals deep sentimental emotions. This film demonstrates that some of the most compelling action stories involve protagonists who undergo a transformative journey from isolated and violent individuals to compassionate and likable souls. Encouragingly, Li's performance suggests that he could successfully take on more dramatic roles in English language films in the future.