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A Man Apart
By Nell Minow,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Pretentious, incompetent, dumb explosion movie.
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What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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What's the Story?
When DEA agents Sean Vetter (Vin Diesel) and Demetrius Hicks (Larenz Tate) bust a major drug lord, 'Memo' Lucero (Geno Silva), a more dangerous kingpin comes to power -- Diablo (Timothy Olyphant). On the orders of Diablo, Vetter is attacked, and his wife is killed. Vettner is desperate for revenge and will do anything – even teaming up with Lucero.
Is It Any Good?
A MAN APART is a dumb-guy-with-nothing-to-lose explosion movie, which is forgiveable, but it is a pretentious, manipulative, incompetent, and dumb explosion movie, which is not. The usual conventions are in place -- the strip club scene, the "you need some time off, give me your badge" scene, the humorous interlude with the small-time drug dealer, the partner who first says he won't go along on a boneheadly rogue mission but then shows up at the crucial moment, and of course the many, many, many moments of hitting, shooting, and blowing things up. But none of the scenes have any life, originality, or conviction. And there is this irritating effort at making it all seem more meaningful, with voiceovers that just sound silly, even with Diesel's gravelly voice.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the dilemma posed to Demetrius. He must do what he thinks is right or what Sean wants him to do. Sean says at one point that "that's not my fault if somebody gets out of line." Families can discuss his failure to accept responsibility for his actions (and the police department's casual attitude toward his many violations of law and procedure).
Movie Details
- In theaters: April 4, 2003
- On DVD or streaming: September 2, 2003
- Cast: Larenz Tate , Timothy Olyphant , Vin Diesel
- Director: F. Gary Gray
- Inclusion Information: Black directors, Black actors
- Studio: New Line
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Run time: 109 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: strong graphic violence, language, drug content and sexuality
- Last updated: June 20, 2023
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