Unleashed

R

Released May 13, 2005

1 hr. 42 min.

Action

Drama

List

66%

135 Reviews

Tomatometer

75%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Crime boss Bart raises orphan Danny with no knowledge of anything other than how to fight, using him as an enforcer when debts must be collected. Planning to enter Danny into a fight tournament and retire with the prize money, Bart disappears after a deadly drive-by shooting. Danny flees and takes shelter with piano tuner Sam. Away from Bart's abusive control, Danny learns how to live like a human and begins investigating his past.

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Critics Consensus

Jet Li gets to emote in some emotionally awkward scenes, but the gritty fight sequences come through in what is Li's best English language film.

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Georgan G

Pretty good, as martial arts action films go.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/07/24

Full Review

Forged S

As Jackie Chan once said, and I'm paraphrasing, a good director is able to use the action on screen to tell a story. However, most of the time, fight scenes are meant to mask an otherwise bland movie. That being the case, I wasn't expecting much from Danny the Dog (or Unleashed as it's known to North American audiences). The synopsis sounded stupid. A small time British loan shark raised and trained Danny (played by Jet Li) to be an attack dog and uses a metal collar around Danny's neck to control him; once the collar is off, Danny becomes a skilled fighter who relentlessly attacks his target. I mean come on, really? Yet, I became so invested in the characters and the story I forgot I was watching a martial arts film. At times it almost felt like something Guy Ritchie directed.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/10/24

Full Review

Pramod D

Jet li super⭐ actor fight is good Jackie Chan next jet li tow people is world no 1

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/14/23

Full Review

Dave C

Old school, low-tech, martial arts action crime thriller… with a kickass cast leading the way! Loved the story, and really enjoyed Jet Li's performance, character, and (of course) his stunning fight sequences. It's not too heavy on the martial arts, saving it form being just a showcase of fighting… though it obviously features heavily

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/28/23

Full Review

Johnathon W

Jet Li's best English language film, thanks to a top notch cast and superb direction from Louis Leterrier. Li gives one of his best performances as Danny in a part tailor made for his low grasp on English, while also showing some true emotional range as he slowly wakes up from his torturous existence. He is matched by a fantastic cast, from Morgan Freeman's sweet Sam, who shows pity on Danny to Bob Hoskins as the villainous Uncle Bart, who despite his horrible treatment of Danny, some glimpses of real love and emotion. Behind the camera, Letterier crafts a straight forward action drama with some brutal fights that show off his skills along with some heartfelt moments that make you feel for Danny. It is a true heroes journey and one of Li's best. Just a fantastic film.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/15/23

Full Review

GuestLord D

Watched on Netflix, a very heartfelt movie yet cruel in an enlightening way. Action paced yet tragic, a good take o nteh theme.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/04/23

Full Review

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Louis Leterrier

Director

Jet Li

Danny

Bob Hoskins

Bart

Morgan Freeman

Sam

Kerry Condon

Victoria

Michael Jenn

Wyeth

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Maitland McDonagh

Time Out

Li's dramatic turn is no match for his fists of fury.

Aug 17, 2007

Full Review

David Germain

Houston Chronicle

An intriguing little action thriller, a half-and-half story divided between sequences of vicious violence and quiet, wryly comic scenes of newfound domesticity.

Jan 7, 2006

Full Review

Empire Magazine

A promising idea that never develops beyond that.

Rated: 2/5

Jan 7, 2006

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Though over 40, Li has a boyish presence, like a lost innocent enjoying his delayed childhood, while his action scenes are jaw-dropping.

Jul 1, 2023

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

...a gritty underworld fable with a over-qualified cast, plus a strange streak of sentimentality and some Glasgow striking locations...

Rated: 3/5

May 31, 2021

Full Review

Micheal Compton

Bowling Green Daily News

As thrilling as it is goofy.

Rated: B-

Nov 18, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

Crime boss Bart raises orphan Danny with no knowledge of anything other than how to fight, using him as an enforcer when debts must be collected. Planning to enter Danny into a fight tournament and retire with the prize money, Bart disappears after a deadly drive-by shooting. Danny flees and takes shelter with piano tuner Sam. Away from Bart's abusive control, Danny learns how to live like a human and begins investigating his past.

Director: Louis Leterrier
Executive Producer: Bernard Grenet
Screenwriter: Luc Besson, Robert Mark Kamen
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Current Entertainment
Rating: R (Nudity|Language|Some Sexuality|Strong Violent Content)
Genre: Action, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 13, 2005, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $24.5M
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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