Wolff rating: EXCELLENT
Plot summary: Hitman doesn't want to do his next hit, so he goes on the run from the mob.
Biased, pithy comments: Chow Yun-Fat and Sorvino are both excellent actors, and they turn this fairly unremarkable script into something worth watching. Direction is done with a definite music-video cant, but I found it fun---if you're going to film a stock Hong Kong action film, you might as well make it visually dynamic. And it *is* visually dynamic and beautifully filmed; watch for the textures on the walls, careful framing, and the awe-inspiring entrance of Chow Yun-Fat. Unfortunately, I think this movie is going to appeal to a very narrow audience which can be divided into two parts. First, Americans who already know Woo and Chow Yun-Fat and are excited to see Chow finally speaking English. The second group are people who saw ``Face/Off'' and have heard the first group buzz about this film. The first group, like me, will be satisfied, if not as totally blown away as one might be seeing, say, ``The Killer'' for the first time. The second might find the whole thing a little too simple, if exciting. Your mileage may vary, but I love this movie.
Other Notes: Chow Yun-Fat didn't speak English before this film. I have to believe Sorvino is in this film because she hangs around with Quentin Tarantino. Watch for every heavy from every other gangster movie you've ever seen as part of the mob. Executive produced by John Woo. Indeed, after writing this review, I discovered this was directed by a music video director as his first feature-length film.
How many times I have seen it: x1
Starring: Chow Yun-Fat, Mira Sorvino, Michael Rooker, Kenneth Tsang, Jurgen Prochnow.
Directed by: Antoine Fuqua