Revenge, as they say, is a dish best served cold. Well when it comes to comeuppance, there are quite a few films from Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, and even Thailand that have some really excellent stories. The US has made some (check the "Must-See Movies" listing), but this one really stands out from the crowd recently. Prepare for a little fun, a lot of mystery, and some interesting plot twists in LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN.

Our story starts with a race horse. One that would have one the race, but falls before crossing the finish line. Now, there was one person who was about to loose more than his lunch because of this. His name is Max. Max now owes some big money to some big people. Money he doesn't have. And these people have decided to take their payment in blood. Fast forward to the present. This is Slevin (expertly played by Josh Harnett), who is waking up to an empty apartment, and a broken nose. He's here waiting for his friend Nick Fisher to show up. When he answers the 'deceptively tall knock' it's Lindsey (Lucy Liu) from across the hall, who want to borrow a cup of sugar.

After his little flirting with Lindsey, he answers the door again to be greeted by Slim and Sloe - two henchmen who work for 'The Boss'(Morgan Freedman). According to Slim, he's the one he's supposed to pick up today. Trying to correct Slim and Sloe isn't a good idea as Slevin finds out, and he's taken downtown to meet The Boss. Once there, he learns that he owes The Boss a nice wad of cash. The Boss gives him a choice - which is more line an ultimatum really - to either pay up, or in order to pay up, he wants The Rabbi's son, Yitzchok The Fairy to be killed. Slevin, not being a hit man wants out of this situation. When he gets back to Nick's place, he's not there long when The Rabbi's men pick him up whisk him back downtown only to learn that he owes money to The Rabbi too. Thus begins the mystery of Slevin and how he has to emerge from this sticky situation alive.

To tell you any more, I'd be giving away the really good parts. I went to movies to see this, and it was worth every penny I paid. The DVD has deleted scenes (that I wish were in the movie) and I wholeheartedly recommend this film to anyone who liked Snatch, Lock Stock, Layer Cake, Lady Vengeance and the like. When you find out what the "Kansas City Shuffle is", you'll forever be on the lookout for it happening to you!

– Brian K. James