NEVER DIE ALONE and DMX's film career

NEVER DIE ALONE is a recent (2004) adaptation of a Donald Goines novel that deals with the harsh reality faced by modern-day gangsters; it deals with the topics of drug addiction, revenge and duty in often graphic detail. Despite containing a fair quota of bloody shoot-outs and other nasty incidents (DMX's ice-pick scene is a memorable one), NEVER DIE ALONE isn't an action film. It is packaged like one, right down to the quotes on the DVD case (did they actually watch this film?) but instead it works as a character drama that isn't afraid to take chances by playing against expectations.

Now, I'm not a big music fan, especially not of rap. I watch far too many movies and read far too many books to get time to listen to the radio or CDs. So, my focus is on DMX's acting career, not his music, better or worse.

DMX (full name Dark Man X) first came to Hollywood's attention in the 2000 Jet Li film ROMEO MUST DIE. He wasn't great in this film, but then it wasn't a great film to begin with anyway. ROMEO MUST DIE was a cheap, soulless action thriller with some nice concepts buried underneath rubbish action (why the film-makers felt the need to use CGI in Jet Li's fights is a mystery) and undistinguished comedy. DMX came across as wooden, and not at all likable, but it was his first performance.

Still, the film did moderately well, which meant that DMX teamed up with another martial arts star for 2001's EXIT WOUNDS. The star in question was Steven Seagal, who had disappeared under the radar in a series of cheap straight-to-video flicks, and who was using the film as his cinematic comeback. The film wasn't bad, and DMX proved to be an interesting choice as co-star, adding extra weight to the emotion of the film's plot.

DMX's third (and, so far, final) martial arts flick was 2003's CRADLE 2 THE GRAVE, which again paired him with Jet Li. The goods news was that this film was entertaining, with strong action and nice performances all round, not least from DMX. When his character's daughter is kidnapped during the film's running time, he gets the chance to do some heavyweight acting, making his character a likable persona whom the viewer can immediately identify with.

I came to NEVER DIE ALONE after watching these three fight flicks, and I expected something along the same formula. Boy, was I wrong. NEVER DIE ALONE is an extremely unconventional film and it would be wrong of me to spoil any of the plot. However, DMX is cast against type here; he's the film's anti-hero, and far from likable in this one. Instead he's a mean, vicious drug dealer who enjoys getting his girlfriends hooked on heroin; DMX is excellent in the role playing a character you really love to hate.

My advice is to check this film out if you want an unflinching reflection of the hopelessness of modern-day life; it's not as depressing as SAW and its ilk, but neither does it offer smiles and laughter. Definitely worth a look for those who can take it.