I've read many plot synopsis' for this film, and not one seems to be correct. The glaring omission of how this story really kicks off, changes its point entirely. Jean Reno does not go out on a rampage of revenge after being shot 22 times. In fact, he discovers who was behind it and then leaves it at that. He is a retired gangster and a man perfectly happy to forgive. This film isn't just about revenge, but also pride, honor, and how crime never lets go. Reno was sucked into this world of crime after committing one hit out of revenge. He hasn't been allowed to quit since. It's only later, after the grisly murder of a friend, that the revenge part kicks off. What I like about Reno's revenge is that he takes his time. In Faster, The Rock just shoots people. Here, Reno tells them he is coming, and makes them sweat it out. The second half turns ALL action. It's more like a Bourne film than gangster film. The action scenes are excellent, even if Reno's morality speeches are often contradictory and unnecessary. A film that mostly deals with revenge in a mature fashion, showing the cyclical nature of vengeance.
Review of 22 Bullets
