In directing \Cradle 2 the Grave,"" Andrzej Bartkowiak illustrates one of the major problems with modern film--the return to a factory mindset. As an average action film, ""Cradle"" serves an undeniable audience. The young male contingent that frequents such films is unlikely to see a difference in what ""Cradle 2 the Grave"" is and what it could have been. Jet Li has proven himself to be an excellent action performer; while his acting could certainly use some work, his action is phenomenal. On the other side, DMX has been surprisingly good in his foray into film. The script for ""Cradle"" seems to underestimate the two men, as well as the intelligence of the entire audience.
The film begins in Los Angeles as Fait (DMX) executes a well-planned diamond heist with his girl (Gabrielle Union) and his crew. After several twists involving the ownership of the black diamonds, a former Taiwanese agent gets his hands on them. Before long, a current Taiwan agent (Jet Li) is teaming with Fait to bring the man down and get back Fait's kidnapped daughter.
Problematic as the script is, perhaps the biggest shortcoming is how familiar the entire film seems. Bartkowiak has basically merged his last two action films, ""Romeo Must Die"" and ""Exit Wounds."" Bringing together stars from each picture and rehashing a very basic, derivative action plot, Bartkowiak wastes the potential of Li and DMX. The fight scenes are unsurprisingly wonderful. Bartkowiak cuts too much during them, breaking the action up into split second shots. Further, one of the more tense scenes lacks punch simply because of the standard clich??--when Li is faced with 12 men at once, they naturally attack him one at a time. The fighting is undeniably exciting, but flaws in the direction and script are hidden quite poorly. Despite their potential, Li and DMX cannot cover them up.
The final third of the film heads into a ridiculous plutonium technological spin, focusing the movie on ludicrous weapons of mass destruction rather than a more typical heist plot. The entire third act suggests that the writers, unable to come up with a fresh approach on a standard plotline, instead decided to push the film into the realm of stupidity.
""Cradle 2 The Grave"" will satisfy the average action fan, since it is an average action movie. For those who demand more than cool fights, ""Cradle"" will be a waste of time. Hopefully DMX and Li will avoid such unoriginal projects in the future.
