Lucky Number Slevin (2006): Dir: Paul McGuigan / Cast: Josh Hartnett, Morgan Freeman, Ben Kingsley, Bruce Willis, Lucy Liu: Divert yet clever film about luck in many forms. Josh Hartnett plays Slevin who is mistaken for someone else and is forced to eliminate victims from two opposing factors. Morgan Freeman and Ben Kingsley play mob related characters at war. Freeman wants Kingsley's homosexual son eliminated while Kingsley wants a large sum of cash. Hartnett is placed in the middle without question. Great setup and clever plot twists although one wonders whether the outcome does justice or is just a fancy form of violence. Director Paul McGuigan keeps viewers interested with stunning locations, innovative shots, and a production that works. Hartnett plays off the circumstance with bemusement while being pulled in two directions. Freeman and Kingsley are fine as opposing factors who will reap the blood shed they sow in a low blow shot at justice. Bruce Willis plays an assassin playing off both sides. Lucy Liu plays a mysterious woman whom becomes entangled into the plot when someone goes missing. It all spirals out of control leading to more violence that is a low counter to superb writing. Several themes play out here such as the sudden presence of trouble as well as the ultimate end destroyed by vengeance when one's lucky streak is up. Score: 8 / 10

Lucky Number Slevin is an impressive action crime thriller with some flaws but the good outweighs the bad in this one. Director Paul McGuigan is admirable in making this movie about a guy named Slevin who after a case of mistake identity finds himself caught in the middle of a war between two rival crime bosses known as The Rabbi and The Boss. Josh Hartnett is good as Slevin who may know more about his situation than he's letting on or maybe not. Hartnett proves to be effective in the role. Morgan Freeman is great as The Boss but he isn't given much to do. The same can go for Ben Kinsgley as The Rabbi but he like Freeman still make the best of their villain roles. The rest of the cast including Lucy Liu, Stanley Tucci, and Bruce Willis as a hit-man are solid as the supporting characters in their limited screen time. The few action sequences are well executed and the intricate but not too complicated plot keeps your interest. Despite some flaws with character development, this movie was better than expected. Overall Lucky Number Sleven is a good action crime thriller with an interesting premise and exceptional performances by the cast who making it a movie worth the time to watch.

Our story began in the mind of writer Jason Smilovic and later directed well in the movie called " Lucky Number Slevin " by Paul McGuigan. It relates the story apparently initiated through mistaken identity. A traveler visiting a friend accepts an invitation to stay at an apartment in another city. Once there however, he meets Lindsey (Lucy Liu) a sexy next door neighbor, is slugged and mugged in broad daylight just before he is kidnapped and threatened with death if he doesn't pay a great debt and do a favor for The 'Boss', a local Godfather (Morgan Freeman). However, he also realizes, in order to fulfill the command, he must kill a total stranger for 'The Rabbi' a rival Godfather (Ben Kingsley). The reason for the duel threat dates back some twenty years and involves a professional Hit-man named Mr. Goodkat (Bruce Willis). The film is briefly confusing and further muddled if the audience doesn't pay close attention to the interesting players. Although a serious feature, the inclusion of dark comedy makes for a black situation which is flavored with fast action and hard hitting excitement. Josh Hartnett, plays Slevin Kelevra and holds his own against the heavyweight stars of the movie. All in all, an unexpected and wonderful movie recommended for the thinking audience. The result, . . . a Classic in the making. ****