The Art of War (2000)

16% of critics liked it
(80 reviews)
44% of users liked it
(25,903 ratings)

A spy who has convinced much of the world he doesn't exist now must prove that he does in order to save thousands of lives in this thriller. After the assassination of Wu (James Hong), China's ambassador to the United Nations, in the midst of negotiations on a trade pact, FBI agent Neil Shaw (Wesley… More A spy who has convinced much of the world he doesn't exist now must prove that he does in order to save thousands of lives in this thriller. After the assassination of Wu (James Hong), China's ambassador to the United Nations, in the midst of negotiations on a trade pact, FBI agent Neil Shaw (Wesley Snipes) is assigned to ferret out the killer by his superior, Eleanor Hooks (Anne Archer). But Shaw soon discovers that he's now considered a key suspect in the murder, and is the subject of a manhunt. Shaw's ability to cover his tracks, and his network of similarly "invisible" agents, makes him a hard man to track down. But when Shaw learns that the real killers not only plan to strike again but intend to take out most of the U.N. in the process, he swings into action to prevent the attack and clear his name; Shaw is thrown into a partnership with Julia (Marie Matiko), a U.N. interpreter who witnessed Wu's murder and may be able to trace a recording of the crime. The Art of War co-stars Michael Biehn as Bly, one of Shaw's associates, and Donald Sutherland as the Secretary General of the United Nations. The film was originally written as a vehicle of Hong Kong action star Jet Li before Snipes stepped in as both star and executive producer. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 57 min.
Directed By: Christian Duguay
Written By: Wayne Beach, Kevin Bernhardt, Simon Davis Barry
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Aug 25, 2000 Wide
On DVD: Dec 26, 2000
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, Variety
In this pretentiously titled international thriller, which is sloppily directed, Wesley Snipes plays an American agent who gets involved in the emerging relations between China and the Western world, with a shaky U.N. placed right in the middle.
Loren King, Boston Globe
Quickly falls into B-picture visual cliche, accompanied by leaden dialogue, as it simplifies its ambitious story for the sake of too many shootouts and overblown chases.
Paul Tatara, CNN.com
A disgustingly violent morass of high-tech beatings and killings.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
Sun Tzu said, 'Be subtle! Be subtle! And use your spies for every kind of business!' And 'ponder and deliberate before you make a move.' Alas, Sun Tzu didn't have script approval on this mess.
John Petrakis, Chicago Tribune
The film is a too-loud, poorly directed and seriously overedited addition to the tired genre of double-crossing international conspiracy movies.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...[features] several unexpectedly enthralling action sequences...
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...so contrived and formulaic, in spite of a few obvious detours, it's clearly a road we've taken before.
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium
Sun Tzu believed that becoming predictable would lead to disaster. Apparently, the creators of The Art of War couldn't be bothered to take him to heart.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
If Wesley Snipes were TWICE as cool as he thinks he is...this movie would still stink.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Khris N

After watching it AGAIN, I still think everyone treated this movie unfairly. Its not perfect, but I guess this movie did really kickstart the intelligent spy genre, leading to movies like the Bourne Seires and others. i hold this in regard for that fact, also giving a stronger martial… More
After watching it AGAIN, I still think everyone treated this movie unfairly. Its not perfect, but I guess this movie did really kickstart the intelligent spy genre, leading to movies like the Bourne Seires and others. i hold this in regard for that fact, also giving a stronger martial arts aspect to the movie and themes like betrayl and politics. Snipes plays a covert UN Agent whose job is to assist the UN on issue which are deemed "necessary" - from espionage to outright blackmail, which is evident in the introduction . I think people kept on saying the plot was confusing and noone understood what was going on. Sorry people, but you're a little silly, you obviously know what "The Art of War" is, and its no mystrey why a movie is titled so. It becomes FULLY clear in the climax when things are explained through some smart dialouge - and the plot was simple really, the method of execution complex, but high effective... the only problem being is Snipes was learning quick that someone was forcing him to chase shadows and false leads and he was the bait. Anyways, if you're wondering why its so confusing, because Snipes' character is supposed to portray confusion and helplesness in being cut off and abandoned, with Chinese gangsters, police and the FBI hot on his heels. If you're confused, good, watch it again and try to put the pieces together like a jigsaw puzzle - every scene, every image has a meaning, it does take some concentration. Though its not 100% perfect, it was a matter of a new style of filming and idea which never really reached the full potential until The Bourne Identity and its successors kicked ass at the box office. It also interesting to see things like new technology back in 2000, like touch screen PDA's and wireless internet which only became consumer friendly in 2005, 5 years from when the movie was released. Anyways, the action is slick, the cast above average, i think Michael Biehn was the standout support. The final fight scene was expllosvie and smoother than your average, something unqiue and obviously set the trend. Anyway, I think a lot of movies afterwards really borrowed something from The Art of War, and I believe a lot of people canned it because of the Snipes name and the fact it was mainly a European production and Indie movie release. Well, if you like movies like this and wanted to see where it all started for the new millenium, this is the one to watch.
Al S

Wesley Snipes has never been better, one of his best roles in one of his best action films. A stylish, nail-biting, pulse-pounding twist-a minute action-packed thriller. A sensational and adreniline-pumping action-thrill-ride that kick starts the senses and kicks all sorts of ass.… More
Wesley Snipes has never been better, one of his best roles in one of his best action films. A stylish, nail-biting, pulse-pounding twist-a minute action-packed thriller. A sensational and adreniline-pumping action-thrill-ride that kick starts the senses and kicks all sorts of ass. It's sharp, very smart and very entertaining.
Dean M

I've seen Wesley Snipes in such good form as he appears in this action-thriller movie since <i>Blade</i>.
Curt C

Some ok shooting scenes. It does have that.