A Man Apart

[Tom Samborski]

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0266465/ama_0278.jpg

Plot: Sean Vetter and Demetrius Hicks are members of the DEA who are fighting an ongoing drug war on the California/Mexico border, they are most successful at it because of their edge of growing up on the street and being thugs converted to cops. The DEA busts one of the major players by the name of "Memo" Lucero and imprison him in the United States but then a major player named Diablo then takes over the business and now he is now the major player targeted by Vetter and his team. But when Vetter's wife is killed in a botched hit organized by Diablo, he seeks revenge against those responsible and in the process has to seek help from the imprisoned Lucero in order to catch Diablo. But in the process, Vetter and Hicks have to fight their way up the chain to get to Diablo but it's easier said than done when all Vetter can focus on is revenge...

Starring: Vin Diesel, Larenz Tate, Timothy Olyphant

Rating: R, for strong graphic violence, language, drug content, and sexuality.

I thought the trailer for A Man Apart was pretty good, but the T.V spots stink. The more I see them, the more I feel this movie is going to be bad.

[idealdiscountdude]

When I first heard about the film I didn't really care about it.

However, I saw the trailer a few weeks ago and I must confess that it actually look good. I will check it out, possibly in the cinemas. By the way its cool to see Larenz Tate in a movie again. The last flick I saw him in, I believe was the excellent love jones.

[dh1989]

http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/new_line_cinema/a_man_apart/_group_photos/larenz_tate1.jpg

http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/new_line_cinema/a_man_apart/vin_diesel/apart9.jpg

I LOATHE Vin Diesel. The Fast and the Furious, Pitch Black, and xXx are all cinematic travesties. Vin is not an actor, but more of a chunk of wood that can talk. That said, A Man Apart looks quite good. It seems to show a more emotional side of Diesel. He seems to play more of a flawed character, not a "bad-ass" with a big gun and no respect for woman or life. The trailer is very stylish and exciting. There are big chances it is going to be pure crap, but I have a feeling it may be good. I'll check it out with low expectations.

http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/new_line_cinema/a_man_apart/larenz_tate/apart.jpg

http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/new_line_cinema/a_man_apart/_group_photos/jacqueline_obradors3.jpg

[Scarface98.9]

Despite my distaste for the 2 previous Diesel star vehicles Fast and the Furious and XXX, this actually looks kinda good. It helps that this was directed by Friday director F. Gary Gray instead of the hack Rob Cohen

[ilovemovies]

Well I like Vin Deasel and movies like Saving Private Ryan and Boiler Room and even, to a lesser extent, The Fast and the Furious all proved Deasel can act. And this looks like it could be his best performance and his second best film (of coars it won't be better than Private Ryan). I'm very excited to see this movie. I don't know which I want to see more this or Phone Booth?

[Strider]

"A Man Apart" looks pretty good, if you ask me. The plot is very cliched, but the movie still looks like fun. As for Vin Diesel, the man can act, he just has to get the right material. If you don't believe me, you really should check out "Boiler Room" and "Knockaround Guys".

Strider

[darkface]

The trailer looked really cool IMO. Nothing great, but something i might be interested in. I've always loved Vin Diesal, (founded by Speilberg) He's done some kickass movies.

I'll most likely check this one out.

[HHH123007]

I hated the trailer at first, but it's growing on me....

I'll probably catch it with Phone Booth on Friday...

[blankpage]

Doesn't look all the bad, in fact, in looks pretty good. Looks like some good entertainment. Big Vinny looks decent as well. I will check it out.

[XCoRyX]

I actually think this looks pretty entertaining and fun,and im willing to bet that it takes the #1 spot,and i will say its about time.I'm sick of seeing bringing down the house at #1.

[Ed]

this is the kind of movie that requires Vin Diesel to be a great actor, and imo, he's not. I don't know, maybe i'll check it out on video or something.

[Moviefreek]

The Newest TV Spot I found to be really good...as it has the slow melody tune playing throughout....Looks good...

Vin Diesels Previous Pictures rate as:

Pitch Black- 6/10
Fast and the Furious: 8/10...what can I say..I liked it...
XXX- 5/10
Knockaround Guys- I have yet to see....

[Son Gohan]

He looks really cute in those pics, and the the poster of him flexing his bicep really makes me want to see this piece of shit.

[papadoc]

Vin was simply not good in Fast & the Furious and TERRIBLE in xXx... but both movies were written terribly and with zero emphasis on actual ACTING. I thought he was good in Boiler Room, and his best role was in Knockaround Guys - I loved his barroom scene: "500."

I look at A Man Apart as a serious turning point in Vin's career, he has the chance to become THE action guy. But if this flops, then he'll be back for Fast & the Furious 3, and Mortal Kombat 6, faster than you can say Micheal Lambert, which, frankly doesn't take that long it's like what... 4 syllables?

[Ed]

Originally posted by papadoc
I look at A Man Apart as a serious turning point in Vin's career, he has the chance to become THE action guy. But if this flops, then he'll be back for Fast & the Furious 3, and Mortal Kombat 6, faster than you can say Micheal Lambert, which, frankly doesn't take that long it's like what... 4 syllables?

i seriously doubt it will flop, but i doubt it will be a huge hit either. The truth is, either way, i don't think it will affect Vin's career too much. He has too many sure hits in the making already.

[Ed]

i'm not sure if i want to see this film anymore, over at rotten tomatoes the movie has a very disappointing 11%. Could this turn out to be the worst movie of the year? :o

[TheMovieGoerz]

Are they still making action hero movies with DEA agents in 2003? Unfortunatley yes.

But to everyone bored to death by XXX like I was, A Man Apart is far better.

Surprisingly adequate, gets a little over-the-top at the end. Still, there's no compelling reason to see this movie if you're over 13, and if youre going to the theater on Friday, your money is better spent on Phone Booth

Vin D. should still go back to making sci-fi, he's trying to squeeze out a bunch of action films, and hopefully when this one bombs he will focus more on the sci-fi.

[Puck Bond]

A Man Apart looks like a decent gritty revenge story...and I'm looking forward to seeing it. Vin Diesel looks tailor made for this role and the previews make it look pretty good. I'm just looking for some bone crunching action and some explosions and good ole gun battles...should be cool. Plan on seeing it early this week.

[Freeway]

I actually really want to see this tomorrow. I'll see it along with Phone Booth which also looks entertaining.

[movies35]

I think this looks bad... real bad.

[RickySlade]

Going into this I thought the same thing. "Yep Vin, Beating people up...bad movie". But then I saw it today and my opinion changed a little bit. Diesiel is a BAD actor no doubt about it but something about this movie intrigued me.

[Freeway]

A Man Apart:

This film is one that I didn't actually want to see at first. Diesel is very hit or miss when it comes to the quality of his films. I enjoyed The Fast and the Furious and Pitch Black but found XXX below average at best. It was so over the top it was sad. As for Knockaround Guys which really wasn't even a Diesel film anyway, I did enjoy it somewhat but found it a little too convoluted at times. I do however like Diesel as an actor because he really seems to have worked hard to get where he is, what with making his own little films and such. I admire the man for the hard work that he put in to become a now famous movie star. Also, the premise of a man seeking revenge on the man who had his lover killed is rather cliched but the end result ended up being a really solid film.

Director F. Gary Gray did a pretty good job directing the film. He paced the film fairly well as there weren't really any long stretches of boredom or me getting lulled to sleep. Whether it was through the use of various camera tricks and/or quick editing cuts (thankfully not overdone) even the sections of the film that could have easily dragged under another director don't for the most part, in A Man Apart. Gray also shows that he really knows how to handle action sequences, as the various action set pieces in the film are really well staged and thoroughly entertaining. A shootout in about the middle of the film is unbelievable to behold. The fact that Gray doesn't shy away from the brutality of the characters really improves the style and overall feel of the picture. The world in which A Man Apart exists is one of devilish characters and the brutality of the film really does a good job of reinforcing this.

As for the acting, well it is actually better than one would expect. In the lead, Vin Diesel is of course good at handling the portions of the film where he is asked to be a macho man but, quite surprisingly, he is also game at being a grieving man who just cannot quite understand what made his life go off its intended path. He really gets the attention of the viewer during these scenes and never once comes across as corny or overacting. As his faithful partner, Lorenz Tate also does well. Unfortunately, he is handed a role that isn’t quite as developed as the lead, which hinders him at times. I sure would have liked to see more of what his home life with his wife and young kid than what is presented in the film.

Overall, A Man Apart is a surprisingly good revenge drama/action film with well-staged sequences of action and enough drama and solid acting to back it up. Well done all involved. Bring on the sequel!

8.5 out of 10.

[RickySlade]

Why would they make a sequel? And about what?

[Freeway]

Originally posted by RickySlade
Why would they make a sequel? And about what?

According to Greg Previews over at Yahoo, the screenwriters for the film were asked to write another screenplay for the sequel to the film.

[MadsenOMC]

This movie is terrible. The acting is awful. Vin can not do anything emotional. He's laughably bad. The script is just a bunch of cliches. There is nothing original here. Not one second. It takes self-importance to new levels. It's boring. The action scenes are nothing special. You can't even tell who is shooting at who in most of them. It lacks anything remotely resembling logic, but it tries to be serious. Do not waste your time and money. Diesel is heading downhill fast.

1/10

[dh1989]

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0266465/ama_CN028-31.jpg

A Man Apart was quite suprising to me. I did not really have high expectations, considering almost all Vin Diesel movies suck. Infact, I had very low expectations. No, it wasn't a great film, but it was very, very fun!

Vin Diesel takes his career to a new level with this picture. In my opinion, his only good performance was in Saving Private Ryan, and that was a small part. This is his first good performance as a lead actor. He does not seem as cocky as he did in films like xXx. He takes risks, plays a flawed character, and actually comes off as, dare I say it, human. I applaud him for this performance.

Larenz Tate is also good as Demetrius Hicks, Vin Diesel's character's partner and friend. His performance is raw and real. Like Diesel, he seems like a normal flawed human, not a trademark Hollywood hero.

F. Gary Gray, director of Set It Off, Friday, and the upcoming The Itallian Job, directs. He certainly has an eye for action and thrills. The action sequences he crafts are quite exciting, violent (hard "R"), and, no pun intended, fast and furious.

Christian Gudegast and Paul Scheuring (36K) write the screenplay for A Man Apart. The script is the film's best asset. It is action-packed, but also has an intriuging mystery with a few nice twists and turns. The film is an ideal thriller/action/mystery movie.

The visual style can be defined as gritty, raw, and Traffic-y. By the latter I mean the style Steven Soderbergh uses to shoot the Mexico scenes in his 2000 Best Picture nominated film.

Overall, this is not an AMAZING film. It won't be alter the action genre. It won't sweep the upcoming Academy Awards, but it will please anyone looking for some good 80's action movie fun. And it may just get Diesel some more dramatic roles. I hope. He may just turn out to be a good actor!

8/10

[MadsenOMC]

I think I saw a different movie. First of all, Diesel is terrible. He isn't playing a developed character. He is Steven Seagal in Out For Justice. Nothing more. In the scenes with his wife, a painfully bad attempt at displaying domestic bliss, to the scenes where he attempts to show suffering, Diesel is awful. He just can't do the serious emotional stuff. And the part he plays could not be any more cliche. He doesn't show a different side here or anything close to it. As for Tate, his part is also all cliche. The standard buddy role. He brings nothing to it, and it's underwritten. As for the script, it's beyond bad. Every single cliche in the book. It could not be more predictable. There are some horrible lines as well. Too many to count. I was laughing out loud frequently. There are no twists or turns. No surprises. Not a shred of originality. This is a movie that has been done a thousand times before. Pure Hollywood garbage. Recycled trash.

[dh1989]

Originally posted by MadsenOMC
I think I saw a different movie.

Obviously.

[MadsenOMC]

If Diesel is taking a risk with this role, then Sony Pictures is taking a risk by making a sequel to Spiderman.

[TheMovieGoerz]

Originally posted by dh1989
The visual style can be defined as gritty, raw, and Traffic-y. By the latter I mean the style Steven Soderbergh uses to shoot the Mexico scenes in his 2000 Best Picture nominated film.


More like Traffic with a lobotomy. Hilarious to even compare the two, one is a classic which won academy awards, the other will be forgotten within a week.

dh1989 is like the reviewer from WBAI in NYC, too easy to please to be helpful.

[TheMovieGoerz]

Originally posted by MadsenOMC
If Diesel is taking a risk with this role, then Sony Pictures is taking a risk by making a sequel to Spiderman.

ahaha, exactly

[dh1989]

Originally posted by TheMovieGoerz
More like Traffic with a lobotomy. Hilarious to even compare the two, one is a classic which won academy awards, the other will be forgotten within a week.

dh1989 is like the reviewer from WBAI in NYC, too easy to please to be helpful.

I was not saying A Man Apart is as good as Traffic in terms of acting, writing, and directing. I said some scenes, in terms of cinematography, reminded me of Traffic. Oh and I am sorry I am not helpful to you. Oh wait, no I am not. It's my opinion and I am sticking with it.

[The Claw]

Originally posted by movies35
I think this looks bad... real bad.

yep. Vin Desil sucks and so will this movie.

[Horror whore]

I have to agree with dh here... A Man Apart was a huge suprise for me. Vin Diesel actually give a good performance, you can't say that too often. The visual style fits this movie perfectly, like dh said, it's very gritty and yes, it does seem like Traffic at certain points. There were a few good action scenes and thats not all this movie had to offer. It was also a story about a man who has just lost everything and how is coming to terms with his new life. Once again, I must say how impressed with Vin Diesel's performance, that scene in the hospital was quite touching. I also enjoyed Timothy Olphant's character, it seems whenever he's in a movie he seems to steal the show with his comic timing, the most recent example being his character in Dreamcatcher. I was really impressed with A Man Apart, I went in with very low expectations and came out with a smile on my face....

B+

[MadsenOMC]

I agree with you about Timothy Olyphant. He's a great actor. Loved him in Go and Dreamcatcher, and he's good in this as well. But the story is so recycled. Yes, he's a man who lost everything, etc., but that's been done 1,000 times before. What's so special about that?

[DareDevil]

But the story is so recycled. Yes, he's a man who lost everything, etc., but that's been done 1,000 times before. What's so special about that?

1st off

Why in the fuck does a movie have to be original for it to be good? It is very rare for a movie to be 100% original. Why not instead of comparing it to other movies, apreicate it for what it is. I thought it was a GREAT cop drama, it told it story very well, and they didnt throw in a crooked cop, and the end didnt finish with the top cop being the bad guy **cough**deepblue**cough**
If any of you schmoes enjoyed last years Narc (8/10) you will highly enjoy this movie, This movie is what it is, an exciting, well made drama, and vin did a verry good job with the limited directing, he shows in this that he can be more than a pupet for big budget movie, this is a charchter driven film, that's deppest strength is the story of the friendship between vin and his partner. I REpeat this movie is very underrated -- 8/10

[MadsenOMC]

Grow up? OK, I'll take the high road and ignore that. Of course a movie doesn't have to be original for it to be good. Take another movie you mentioned, Narc. Narc isn't original. But it is 1,000 times better than A Man Apart. The acting is better. The writing is better. The directing is better. They aren't even in the same league. One breathes new life into a familiar story. The other just lazily repeats every cliche in the book. Other than being about cops, Narc and A Man Apart have nothing in common, at least in terms of quality.

[asu21at]

Spoilers.......Can somebody PLEASE explain the ending? WHo was diablo? Was it Memo? And at the very end he sets the cuffs down and it's over? I'm sure I'm the only one that didn't get it but I'm lost and would really appreciate it if someone could explain it to me....thanks....

[DareDevil]

Grow up? OK, I'll take the high road and ignore that

Why do they call PMS, PMS ????????

Because MadCow Disease was allready taken


I was cometing on what u said, not starting an argument, since when was your opinion better than everyone elses. I think alot of people won't come to terms that a vin diesel movie could be good. And how in the hell was narc "breathing new life" it was just as repeated as this, dont get me wrong i liked narc, but it wasnt any new daring movie that your maken it to be. It was 100% as orignal as lets say DarkBlue or A Man Apart, What raises that movie above i found was the grityness

w/e coment on what i said plzzzz, and be mature about it ok

thnx


ps sorry about the spellen mistake** its 3am and i am not sober:D

[MadsenOMC]

Maturity lessons from you? That's hilarious. But seriously, I never said that my opinion is better than anyone else's, so you misread one of my statements (drunk again?) or just made that up. I just don't see how someone can compare Narc and A Man Apart on any level. They're completely different as far as I'm concerned. One is authentically gritty while one just recycles all the cliches and goes through the motions. But hey, to each their own right.

[DareDevil]

Maturity lessons from you?

(drunk again?) or just made that up


wow, bro seriously, your one of those people who think just because you see a film like Russian Ark your opinion is better than everybody elses, just cause you sat in some art house. I see more movies than the average schmoe on these boards, i attend film festivals. I work at a theatre, and get into any landmark in canada for free, I SEE EVERYTHING, and have seen all the clasics, IN 2002 I saw over 300 movies from 2002, and guess what... I LIKED A MAN APART, why do you care so much if i see more in than you do, if everyone thought alike then we would all be jackasses like you. I think you owe an apology, and not in some smart ass way. I will say it agian, i thought a man apart was very good for a mainstream hollywood movie.

I know i am all over the map with this but, and i am not ataking you, i am just afended by your attitude.

[MadsenOMC]

I think you are really misreading my comments. I never attacked you. I have only attacked A Man Apart. I do not owe you an apology just because I didn't like the movie and have been saying so. I think you're being quite sensitive. Otherwise, why would you feel the need to list your credentials? I can do that, too. I have been reviewing movies professionally for 8 years. I have been to many film festivals. I also see pretty much every movie released, close to 300 a year. I go to the Landmark Theatres in the city I live. And I have seen all the classics. Also, I didn't think Russian Ark was that great, and though you claim to not be attacking me, that is exactly what you did. If anyone owes an apology, it's you. I have not called you a single name, and I don't think there was any reason to call me a jackass.

[Puck Bond]

A Man Apart is a gritty, entertaining action movie with a simple story of pure revenge and anguish. The seemingly ever more popular and rising star Vin Diesel gives his best "performance" to date as a man with nothing to lose, who vows to take down the drug cartel that has his wife killed. Diesel stars as Sean Vetter, a street-wise tough guy now turned DEA agent, who along with his elite team take down Mexico's biggest and most ruthless cocaine trafficker Memo Lucero played by Geno Silva. With Lucero in prison a new leader emerges within the drug world known simply as El Diablo...and a hit is put on Vetter's wife Stacy. Sean vows revenge and gets help from his partner and former gangbanger friend Demetrius played by Larenz Tate and large loveable thug Big Sexy. In order to find El Diablo and seek out his revenge Sean follows the trail of money and former associates of the druglord. One of these is Hollywood Jack played by Timothy Olyphant, who has a couple of very fun scenes, especially when Sean tracks him down outside a tanning salon. Also, Sean must seek help in the imprisoned druglord Lucero. They can help each other seemingly and when they meet in prison those turn out to be quite interesting scenes. This movie isn't great, but it is good for what it is and is simply about a man who has nothing to lose after the death of his wife. The direction by F. Gary Gray is sharp and the gun battles and action scenes are solidly done. There is nothing really new to this story and there is nothing new that is brought to the genre by this movie. The standout really is Vin Diesel in the lead role showing that he is just not all muscle and brawn...he shows some emotion here and he is quite engaging and believable as a man hell bent on revenge. Larenz Tate is also quite good as his partner and friend. I especially liked the scene where Sean comes to him for help and Deemtrius doesn't want to risk his family and job to help him. Overall, A Man Apart is an entertaining story of simple revenge set amongst the ruthless and profitable nature of cocaine dealing between Mexico and California. The movie has a slick polished look, yet a urban and gritty feel to it and features a nice performance by Vin Diesel.

[DareDevil]

Sorry:rolleyes: ... sorry your such a loser,

no i am just kiding no tough feelings bro, its all good.

[DareDevil]

where do you write profesionly, and provide a link, i would like to read your work

[MallratsJunkie]

Originally posted by asu21at
Spoilers.......Can somebody PLEASE explain the ending? WHo was diablo? Was it Memo? And at the very end he sets the cuffs down and it's over? I'm sure I'm the only one that didn't get it but I'm lost and would really appreciate it if someone could explain it to me....thanks....

You didn't see the rest of the movie then, lol.. At the very end, after he sets the cuffs down he walks away. All the people surrounding nemo were mexican cops and they arrested him. Deisel was suspended from the american police force, so I'm assuming he went to the mexican police force to capture him. And yes, el diablo was nemo.

I thought the movie was pretty good. You have to take it for what it is, like any other movie. Sure you can compare it to other movies, you can compare it to "reality", but thats not the point of a movie. Obviously this movie wasn't designed to be as unique as slacker or the matrix, but it was still a *good* movie. Anyone who doesn't see that is probably just hating diesel because its the cool thing to do.

[MadsenOMC]

I don't hate Diesel cause it's the cool thing to do, and I don't like the movie cause it's piece of crap. I don't like Diesel cause he isn't a cool actor anymore. He used to be, but all the success went straight to his head and now he's too self-absorbed to be cool. Anyone who calls their biceps the "kryptonics" can't be cool.

[Ed]

Just saw this, stupid stupid movie. I got bored at some parts, laughed at parts I shouldn't have, and really got annoyed at some of the acting. Vin did a great job actually, I think this is the most dramatic role he has made, too bad the movie wasn't that interesting. It was all dejavu and bad script. Some scenes took forever to get over and the ending is yucky. I don't recomend it, maybe rent it on video when there is nothing else to see.

4/10