Color, R (mature themes, language, violence, nudity, sexual situations, drug use), 105 min., VHS $22.99, DVD $27.98
DVD: seven deleted scenes
Street: Sept. 2, Prebook: Aug. 5
First Run: W, April. 2003, $26.1 mil.
Cast: Vin Diesel (XXX), Larenz Tate (Biker Boyz), Timothy Olyphant (Rock Star),
Jacqueline Obradors (Deuce Bigalow, Male Gigolo)
Director: F. Gary Gray
NEW LINE/WARNER
Story Line: After working undercover for seven years, streetwise DEA agents Vetter (Diesel) and Hicks (Tate) finally take down the kingpin of the notorious Baja Cartel. A new kingpin, nicknamed "Diablo," makes this particular drug war personal by killing Vetter's wife (Obradors).
Bottom Line: Diesel embodies many of the qualities that made the young Sylvester Stallone a star--proving yet again that, in post-studio system Hollywood, an appearance like a hulking thug is no barrier to achieving stardom. A Man Apart is tailor-made for someone of Diesel's range, being a standard-issue revenge yarn with some Dirty Harry thrown in. The picture starts off with a bang, and there are plenty more along the way before justice prevails. Production values are good, the acting is passable, and Diesel has ample opportunity to strut his stuff. His following alone will keep this average action film flying off the shelves. --Ed Hulse
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