Fairly flat movie but some fresh special effects and "not-another-stupid-happy-end" save it

Rating: 7/10 (7 August 2008)

If you like to collect music videos like Madonna's "Vogue" or Fergie's "Fergalicious" this movie going to be nice amendment to your collection :) Director of this movie has been well known on Russian advertising market for series of visually catching TV ads, and this style is somewhat imprinted in the movie. Not that this is really so bad but movie itself very often lacks continuity in style, pieces of visually stunning clips are mixed with boring "dramatic theatrical" interludes - you'll probably like to view this movie again, but when viewing it second time prepare yourself to use "fast forward" a lot on your player. Movie is so overloaded with clichés and so openly appealing to quasi-real feelings of low-level office workers that people overfed with similar plots and marketing campaigns simply pucker up - it's like somebody is trying to give you a spoon of sugar after you ate a big chocolate cake.
Nevertheless: many new fresh moves, exotic pirate's weapons and ammunition, tattooed butt of Jolie (just few seconds, deep sigh) and finally - beautiful samurai-way resolution closer to the end of the movie save it and make it clearly distinct from "B" class and direct to video releases. Relax and enjoy - at least once.