Cradle 2 the Grave (2003)
Cradle 2 the Grave (2003)Directed by: Andrzej Bartkowiak
Starring: Jet Li, DMX, Gabrielle Union, Mark Dacascos, Kelly Hu, Anthony Anderson
Genre: Action / Crime / Martial Arts
Runtime: 101 mins
Streaming on: Often available on HBO Max, Prime Video, Apple TV (availability may vary
OverviewCradle 2 the Grave is a fast-paced, early-2000s action ride that teams up martial arts legend Jet Li with rapper-turned-actor DMX. When a gang of thieves led by Anthony Fait (DMX) steals a cache of mysterious black diamonds, they find themselves hunted by a ruthless international criminal (Mark Dacascos) — and an unlikely ally in Taiwanese intelligence agent Su (Jet Li).
When Fait’s daughter is kidnapped, he’s forced to work with Su to take down the enemy and recover the diamonds. Cue explosive action scenes, brutal martial arts fights, and a surprising amount of heart beneath the chaos.
What Worked
Jet Li’s lightning-fast martial arts and action choreography DMX’s gritty charisma and solid screen presence Strong chemistry between the leads — odd couple style Slick fight scenes, including Jet Li vs. cage fighters in a steel ring Early-2000s hip-hop energy in soundtrack and attitud
Fan Reactions
“Jet Li vs. the world — that cage fight is insane.” “DMX brought heart and edge to this action flick.” “It’s cheesy, loud, fun — a perfect guilty pleasure.” “Classic 2000s energy — the soundtrack goes hard.”
Final VerdictCradle 2 the Grave delivers exactly what it promises — over-the-top action, wild stunts, and two charismatic leads in Jet Li and DMX. It’s not deep, but it’s undeniably fun, stylish, and packed with early-2000s martial arts mayhem.
