A MAN APART (2003)

MORGAN'S RATING

Vin Diesel stars as Agent Sean Vetter, a DEA operative fighting the drug wars along the US/Mexican border. After a major player from the Baja Cartel is imprisoned, a new mysterious figure known as Diablo wrests control over the entire operation. But when Vetter's wife is murdered in a botched hit, he and his partner must join forces with the jailed Cartel to hunt down the dangerous and elusive new layer.

Vin Diesel (Sean Vetter), Larenz Tate (Demetrius Hicks), Timothy Olyphant (Jack Slayton), Jacqueline Obradors (Stacy Vetter), Geno Silva (Memo Lucero), Steve Eastin (Ty Frost), Juan Fernandez (Mateo Santos), George Sharperson (Big Sexy), Mike Moroff (Gustavo Leon), Emilio Rivera (Garza), Santiago Verdu (Diablo's Partner), Laura Salem (Bar Girl), Richard Gross (Older Agent), Alice Amter (Marta), Maria Arce (Renee), Alan Austin (Pilot), TeeJay Boyce (Renee), Brooke Lewis (Body Shot Girl), Meriah Nelson (Sexy Girl), Rachel Sterling (Dancer), Jeff Kobler, Julia Lee, Carmen Perez (Lucero Girl), Joe Rodriguez, Marco Rodriguez, Karin Stephens, Malieek Straughter (Overdose).

WHEN THEY TOOK HIS LOVE, THEY TOOK HIS LIFE. ON APRIL 4TH, HE'S TAKING IT BACK.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: F. Gary Gray. WRITERS: Christian Gudegast and Paul Scheuring. PRODUCERS: Robert John Degus, Vincent Newman, Joey Nittolo and Tucker Tooley. CO-PRODUCER: George Zakk. EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Vin Diesel and F. Gary Gray. ORIGINAL MUSIC: Anne Dudley (score), Dr. Dre (songs). DISTRIBUTOR: New Line Cinema.

QUOTES

Overdose: Get the fuck out of my house man! Hicks: Listen, you gotta chill! Overdose: Fuck you!

Hicks: I know you don't like the police, but you damn sure talkin' to one in an attic. Back in the day, I couldn't stand the police. They used to fuck with us all the time, me and my homies be rollin' down the street they pull us over jack you fools...I couldn't stand them muthfuckas I used to hate 'em... Overdose: You po-po! Hicks: I know.

FACTS

Sean Vetter: They call us down here to take away our weapons? They expect us to go into a building full of drunken cartel gunmen unarmed? That isn't fun. Ty Frost: You're not gettin' paid to have fun, good luck!

RELEASE DATE: April 4th, 2003 (USA) BOX OFFICE OPENING: $11.0 million (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $26.3 million (USA) BUDGET: $36 million (USA) PRODUCTION DATES: December 2000 -- March 2001 - During production, a lawsuit was filed by computer game company Blizzard Entertainment, creator of the Diablo computer games. They argued that they had trademarked the title "Diablo" and intended to make a motion picture based on their game. The case was briefly ruled in favor of Blizzard, but was quickly overturned.

Sean: I like this car. Hollywood Jack: Yea, I like your truck. I was thinking of trading this in for like TEN of those.

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"Had the film been offered to Diesel now, I'm almost certain he wouldn't do it until it had a strapping script, superlative director and some prospect of victory. Just a pity it didn't come later, rather than sooner." -- Clint, Moviehole

"While you're enduring the usual formulaic yada yada ... at least there are yuks to enjoy." -- Desson Howe, Washington Post

"A disappointment for Vin Diesel fans. Nothing fresh happens." -- Victoria Alexander, Filmsinreview.com

"A paint-by-the-numbers genre piece." -- Bruce Kirkland, Jam! Movies

"While A Man Apart is effectively paced and nicely choreographed, the fundamental letdown of the ending results in a mild sense of dissatisfaction." -- James Berardinelli, Reel Views

"Gray directs with a determination that style will win out over substance. It doesn't, but the energy he brings to the venture makes a pedestrian movie look far sharper than it deserves." -- Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter

"This movie has been filmed and released, but it has not been finished." -- Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times