Before the Chinese takeover of Hong Kong from Great Britain, Hong Kong was the source of a revolutionary film industry that produced such talents as John Woo, Jackie Chan, Chow Yun-Fat, and the list goes on and on. Unfortunately, the Chinese takeover of Hong Kong forced many of these artists and their art to the United States. Their newest projects in the US never achieved the power and originality of their original work. This is evident in director John Woo and actor Chow Yun-Fat. In Hong Kong, John Woo made hard-hitting, fun and brilliant crime films. Movies such as Hard-Boiled propelled John Woo as one of the best action director in the world. Now, in the United States, John Woo has directed Broken Arrow. In my opinion, only Face/Off lived up to John Woo's earlier film. Also, look at Chow Yun-Fat. Ever since coming to the United States, he has made several disappointing films, The Corruptor, The Replacement Killers, and Anna and the King. Chow Yun-Fat is an unbelievably talented actor. When John Woo and Chow Yun-Fat worked together, not only did they make dazzling movies, but also their movies were so much fun to watch.
This leads to my favorite John Woo film, Hardboiled. Hardboiled was their final collaboration between Woo and Yun-Fat before they left to the United States. Hardboiled is stylish, brainless action movie. Although Hardboiled is not as moving or emotionally powerful as the director's previous work (The Killer), Hardboiled is my favorite John Woo film for its' action sequences. For sheer action, nothing comes close to Hardboiled, as the film showcases some of the most breath-taking action scenes in cinematic history. Hardboiled contains over the top violence, an insane criminal, and a little bit of simplistic philosophy thrown in for depth. That is exactly what is needed to make 2 hours on a Saturday afternoon a lot of fun.
Like most of John Woo's movies, Hardboiled enters the familiar world of organize crime and underground mobsters. Hardboiled follows two characters. Tequila (Chow Yun-Fat) is an experience cop who must bring down a criminal who earlier killed his partner. The next character is Tony. He is an underground cop on the verge of breaking apart one of the largest mobs. In trying to be accepted by the mob, Tony was make decisions that crosses the line between good and evil. This becomes a very important theme through out this movie.
The most obvious characteristic of John Woo films are the amazing action sequences. Filled with choreography and intense stunt-work, these scenes overshadow most of what American cinema offered the public so far. The epitome of all action movies is Hardboiled. Not only is this movie Woo’s most ambitious film, but it is also his most fun. For Hardboiled, it seems that John Woo sacrifice some plot details or emotional tone for all out action. The movie still has some drama, but Woo focused on excitement. Action fans will simply melt over the sheer level of fantastic scenes here. There are three unbelievable sequences in this movie: a Hong Kong teahouse, a warehouse, and the climactic conclusion in the hospital. Hardboiled is celebrated as my favorite John Woo film for its breath-taking action sequences that no other action film could rival.
Good luck in keeping track of the body count. Right from the start, director John Woo takes you through two hours of mayhem and carnage, climaxing at an extended action sequence in a hospital. Also, Hardboiled contains all of John Woo’s signature touches: automatic weapons by the truckload, double-handed gunplay, men holding guns to each other’s heads, high body count, Woo’s distinctive editing, freeze frames and slow motion. This is a John Woo film at its finest.
Chow Yun-Fat returns in a John Woo film playing another hero/silent tough guy. What is he doing wasting his time in Anna and the King? Yun-Fat belongs in the action genre. He is incredibly charismatic as the cop. Chow Yun-Fat rightfully deserves being called the “The Asian Clint Eastwood”. Also, John Woo adds a Hitchcockian touch to Hardboiled. John Woo himself makes a few short cameos in the film as “John Woo”, the bartender of Tequila’s favorite nightclub. The cast in every aspect is perfect for this type of movie.
Gritty and violent, Hardboiled is the finest action movie ever made. John Woo has created an action movie that I always look forward to see. Yes, sometimes I fast forward some of the dialogue just to experience the action sequences. Hardboiled is always fun to watch regardless what mood I’m in. An ultra-violent action movie is what all fans of John Woo looks forward in his movies. Hardboiled should be watch by John Woo fans, action fans, or just people who want to have a good time.
This is a write-off on our favorite John Woo film. The write-off was started by Shadow8.
You must read these other fine writers (They will post their epinion between Dec. 27th to 30th. Make sure you come back and read their reviews!!).
Here are the list of participants:
Shadow8 (leader)
Mike_Bracken
Psychovant
Donlee_Brussel
JackSommersby
JonTurner
Furie
Elerad
knix
Lars_lindahl
JackFoley
Wokelstein
Janesbit1
anderclayton
mangiotto
erinys
squeebinatorx
Zentropajk
teykaerts
Icemancm
Extra thanks to Shadow8 and Lar_Lindahl for letting me know about this awesome write-off.
When a tough police officer's Chow Yun-Fat partner is brutally murdered he joins forces with another loose-cannon cop Tony Leung to exact his own bloo...More at Family Video
A landmark in film history, John Woo s Hard Boiled is nirvana for seekers of action (Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle). Chow Yun-Fat (Crouching Tiger, Hi...More at Buy.com
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