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Cradle 2 the Grave
2003 101 min United States of America R 16+
★5.5
Action, Crime, Drama
Director: Andrzej Bartkowiak
Trailers
Description
Gang leader Tony pulls off a major diamond heist with his crew, but cop-turned-criminal Ling knows who has the loot and responds by kidnapping Tony's daughter and holding her for ransom. Unfortunately, Tony's lost the diamonds as well. As he frantically searches for his daughter and the jewels, Tony pairs with a high-kicking government agent who once worked with Ling and seeks revenge on him.
Budget:
$25M
US Gross:
$34.71M
Worldwide:
$56.5M
Starring
Jet Li
Actor
DMX
Actor
Mark Dacascos
Actor
Awards
MTV Movie & TV Awards 2003
— Best Fight
Saturn Awards 2004
— Cinescape Genre Face of the Future – Best Actress
Key opinion
Cradle 2 the Grave is a cliché-driven action spectacle that prioritizes martial arts choreography over narrative depth. While the plot is largely dismissed as unoriginal, the energetic fights and comedic supporting performances provide notable entertainment value.
| action | The martial arts choreography and intense combat sequences serve as the film's primary strength. | |
| Humor | Anthony Anderson and Tom Arnold provide effective comedic relief that enlivens the experience. | |
| Acting | Mark Dacascos delivers a standout performance as an unconventional and compelling villain. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is criticized for being unoriginal and relying heavily on tired clichés. | |
| Acting | Opinions on DMX are split between those who find his paternal depth convincing and those who find his portrayal unconvincing. | |
| Acting | While some praise Li's martial arts mastery, others find his acting disengaged or unsuitable for the role. |