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Discover the intricate plot of Shoot 'Em Up (2007). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
A man named Smith is seated on a bench, preparing to enjoy a carrot, when a woman in a vibrant yellow coat dashes past, being pursued by a man behind the wheel of an old black Camaro. Driven by instinct, Smith follows the chase, ultimately intervening to save the woman by driving the carrot straight through her assailant’s head. But the struggle doesn’t end there, as a group of armed attackers arrives, prompting Smith to retaliate and take down several of them.
With the woman now in labor, they race into a nearby room where she gives birth. However, their escape is short-lived; they are ambushed yet again by a menacing figure, Hertz, who is balding and wears glasses. Heartbreakingly, the woman is killed amidst the chaos, leaving Smith to flee with the newborn baby in his arms.
As Smith seeks refuge in a washroom, he engages in a tense battle with a stylish hitman, sparing his life before grabbing a bus ride. He ingeniously transforms his sock into a makeshift cap for the baby. In a moment of desperation, he leaves the infant on a park’s rotating ride, only for a well-meaning bystander to be shot by Hertz, who snipes from a distance. Smith acts quickly, rescuing the baby yet again.
His journey leads him to a church that turns out to function as a brothel, where he meets DQ, a lactating wet nurse and sex worker. Smith offers her a substantial sum of $5000 to care for the baby, but she refuses. In a cruel twist, Hertz discovers the dead mother’s body and deduces the baby desperately needs milk, directing him to DQ’s location. Hertz cruelly interrogates her for information on Smith, who returns in time to shoot Hertz and some of his henchmen, making a daring escape in a BMW. In his rage, Smith clashes with a Mercedes driver, launching a reckless pursuit.
Though Hertz survives and orders reinforcements, Smith finds himself trying to barter his change and a blood donation cheque for ammunition. Meanwhile, DQ finds herself earning cash in a more questionable manner. Smith safely takes both DQ and the baby to his loft, which he enters through a rat-activated door lock.
As Hertz catches up, his background as an FBI Forensic Behaviour Consultant becomes evident; he anticipates Smith’s next moves. Within the confines of his loft, Smith fashions a newspaper diaper and names the baby Oliver after the classic story. Music becomes a curious comfort for the baby, who calms when heavy metal plays and cries at political commentary.
Then, the calm shatters as dozens of attackers swarm in. DQ narrowly escapes down a dumbwaiter, while Smith and Oliver flee amidst a hail of bullets, cleverly using the baby’s diaper as a decoy. They end up in a local metal club where they uncover dark secrets linked to Oliver’s mother and a sinister operation involving babies.
Later, in a hotel room, Smith decides to wait while keeping watch on the news, reflecting DQ’s somber memories of her own lost child. They share an intimate moment only to be interrupted by a swarm of armed assailants; Smith valiantly fights them off while still holding onto DQ.
Planning to transport DQ and Oliver to safety, Smith prepares for a confrontation at the Hammerson gun works. Anticipating trouble, the stage is set for an explosive showdown where Hertz confronts Smith, knowing personal details about him. Armed to the teeth, Smith employs clever traps to unleash fury on his enemies.
Realizing that the powerful Hammerson is involved in a much larger conspiracy, Smith connects the dots leading to Senator Rutledge, who needs the baby for a nefarious scheme tied to a firearm bill. After a thrilling street chase, Smith takes the fight to the sky, stealing a plane and demanding accountability from the Senator. In an act of revenge, he executes the Senator, igniting a chaotic aerial battle.
Wounded and desperate, Smith ultimately faces Hertz one last time in a brutal showdown, revealing tragic backstories and motivations. With cleverly planned traps, Smith outsmarts Hertz, leading to a dramatic conclusion. As the dust settles, Smith is left waiting for a green bus outside a church, filled with hope and the promise of reunion. Upon reuniting with Oliver and DQ, happiness is short-lived when chaos erupts yet again, but using quick wit and determination, Smith dispatches the armed robbers, all while still clutching a carrot.
End credits.
Track the key events of Shoot 'Em Up (2007) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
The Chase Begins
Smith is seated on a bench, ready to enjoy a carrot when he notices a woman in a yellow coat sprinting past him. She is being pursued by a man in an old black Camaro, igniting his instinct to intervene.
Intervention
Driven by impulse, Smith follows the chase and intervenes, effectively using his carrot as a weapon to eliminate the immediate threat by driving it through the assailant's head. This act of bravery sparks a larger conflict as armed attackers suddenly appear.
Birth in Crisis
With the woman now in labor following the attack, Smith quickly rushes her into a nearby room where she gives birth. This moment of new life is overshadowed by the chaos that continues to unfold around them.
A Loss
Just as they think they have escaped, a menacing figure named Hertz ambushes them. Tragically, the chaos culminates in the woman's death, leaving Smith to flee with the newborn baby in a desperate bid for safety.
Tense Escape
Smith seeks refuge in a washroom, where he encounters a stylish hitman. In a moment of mercy, he spares the hitman's life, realizing the importance of every second as he makes his way onto a bus.
Making Do
With few resources on hand, Smith creatively uses his sock to fashion a cap for the baby. His wit is put to the test when he momentarily leaves the infant on a park's rotating ride, attempting to ensure its safety.
A Narrow Escape
As Smith tries to ensure the baby's safety, Hertz shoots a bystander from a distance, forcing Smith to act quickly to rescue the baby again. This encounter intensifies the urgency of his situation.
Unexpected Allies
Smith finds refuge in a church that doubles as a brothel, meeting DQ, a wet nurse. He offers her $5000 to care for the baby, but she declines, unaware of the danger they are all in from Hertz.
The Threat Intensifies
Hertz discovers the deceased mother’s body and tracks down DQ to extract information about Smith. This cat-and-mouse game further complicates Smith's mission to protect the infant.
The Reckoning
Smith confronts Hertz, rescuing DQ in a whirlwind of bullets. He showcases raw determination and cunning as he escapes in a BMW, further heightening the stakes of their violent game.
Unconventional Parenting
In his loft, Smith adapts to fatherhood by creating a makeshift diaper from newspaper and naming the baby Oliver. The unlikely duo shares moments of calm amidst the chaos, with music providing unexpected solace.
Battle Royale
As dozens of attackers storm the loft, Smith and Oliver use his clever improvisation to evade capture. DQ escapes down a dumbwaiter, leaving Smith to fend off the assault while protecting the baby.
Secrets Unveiled
In a local metal club, Smith discovers dark secrets linking Oliver to his mother's past. This realization adds another layer to his mission as he races against time to reveal the sinister plot at play.
Showdown at Hammerson
Smith prepares for a climactic confrontation at Hammerson gun works, anticipating Hertz’s next steps. The stage is set for a fierce battle where personal vendettas come to a head amidst explosive chaos.
Final Confrontation
Caught in a fierce aerial battle, Smith executes the corrupt Senator Rutledge. In a final showdown with Hertz, he cleverly sets traps, leading to a dramatic and tragic conclusion for all involved.
Meet the characters that bring Shoot 'Em Up (2007) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Smith (Clive Owen)
Smith is a rugged, resourceful anti-hero who unexpectedly finds himself thrust into a protective role when he discovers the newborn baby. He is fiercely independent, showcasing exceptional combat skills and a grim sense of humor. Despite his tough exterior, his actions reveal a deeply buried compassion, particularly when it comes to the vulnerable.
Hertz (Paul Giamatti)
Hertz is the film's main antagonist, characterized by his ruthless demeanor and cunning intelligence. As an FBI Forensic Behaviour Consultant, he uses his expertise to anticipate Smith's every move, creating a formidable foe. His motivations blend personal ambition with a sadistic edge, making him not just a simple villain but a complex character with nuanced motivations.
DQ (Monica Bellucci)
DQ is a strong, nuanced character portrayed as a lactating wet nurse and sex worker, embodying both vulnerability and resilience. Her evolving relationship with Smith adds depth to the narrative, showcasing her struggles as she grapples with her past and her role in caring for Oliver. DQ's character illustrates the complexities of survival in a harsh world while retaining her humanity.
Uncover the settings of Shoot 'Em Up (2007), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
The film presents a modern yet exaggerated narrative filled with action and violence, perhaps mirroring a contemporary setting where law and order are challenged by the underworld. This setting creates an atmosphere of urgency and unpredictability as characters face life-and-death situations in real time.
Location
A city, local metal club, a church, washroom
The movie unfolds in a bustling city, filled with crime and chaos. Notable locations include a local metal club, known for its live performances and underground vibe, and a church that doubles as a brothel, highlighting the movie's mix of dark humor and gritty realism. As Smith navigates through these venues, the backdrop serves to amplify the stakes and the urgency of his mission.
Explore the core themes of Shoot 'Em Up (2007). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Fatherhood
At its core, the movie explores the theme of fatherhood through Smith's unexpected journey with the newborn baby, Oliver. Despite the violence, Smith's protective instincts reveal his growth into a father figure, emphasizing the contrasts between his brutal reality and his nurturing aspirations. The bond he forms with Oliver reflects a desire to shield innocence from a chaotic world.
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Revenge
Revenge is a prominent theme, driving Smith's actions as he battles those who threaten not only his life but that of the innocent. His encounters with Hertz and the Senator escalate into a quest for justice, showcasing how vengeance can lead to a violent cycle. Each confrontation underscores the lengths a person will go to protect their loved ones.
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Loss
The film poignantly addresses the theme of loss, as Smith grapples with the death of the mother and DQ's own past. These experiences shape their motivations, prompting a search for redemption amidst grief. Through their struggles, the film delves into how loss impacts relationships and personal growth.
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