Crime thriller. The debut work of the famous American director Antoine Fokua, known to a wide range of viewers thanks to such films as "Training Day", "Olympus Fall", "Left-Handed" and two parts of "The Great Equalizer", and then he was an ordinary clip maker. As you can already understand, if you read my reviews, then I have a personal story connected with almost all the old paintings. Well, it will be the same here. This was the first time I watched this action movie on a VHC tape, oh, there were times, there was still no sense of the Internet, and not everyone had a video recorder, I literally had to cassette tapes, they often deteriorated, then scandals and so on. Oh sorry, I'm a little distracted. So, I don't remember exactly how this tape turned out to be with me (maybe I even begged it out), but I rubbed it into holes. Reviewed an unlimited number of times. In childhood, this picture seemed perfect to me. But now, having reviewed it already at a conscious age, with the look of a cynical beast who criticizes cinema, I realize that the picture is not so cool. There was no disappointment, I just remembered this action movie much better than it really is. And here is my brief opinion - A cool action movie from childhood. Despite a certain nostalgia, I intend to consider both the advantages of this picture, and the cons that are striking too persistently. Then let me get started!
So, the pros:
1. Atmosphere - you will be surprised, but it is here, and even very solid. The closest analogue that comes to mind is "Without a Face", and early paintings by Guy Ritchie. The picture literally from the first frame makes it clear that in the next hour and a half we will find a cool and inconspicuous criminal action movie, where a cool hero will throw the adversaries with one left, protecting someone along the way. And, here's a surprise, the way it is!
2. Music - the well-known composer Harry Gregson-Williams who wrote very suitable music for this picture was responsible for it. There are Eastern motives, and sad ones, and pop music, which was playing from every teapot at that time. All this is very harmoniously combined, for each melody or song sounds out of place and does not have time to get bored. Unfortunately, there are no catchy tunes here, but this is purely my nit-picking.
3. Skirmishes - oh yes, it was because of them that I watched this picture countless times, and then imagined myself as the main character John Lee and played in the courtyard with the boys in the war. It was after watching this picture that I bought a gun with bullets for my pocket money. Oh, I'm sorry, I was distracted again, but it was just that. Oh yes, the shootings in this picture occupy almost eighty percent of the entire timing (plus or minus ten percent, but that's not accurate), and they were shot very soundly. Bullets whistle, adversaries die, blood spurts within reasonable limits, professionals work with professionals, in general - class! Do not think it wrong, the shootings here are not a masterpiece, but at one time the picture set a record for the number of shots, which says a lot.
4. History - the seasoned killer ruined the order, as a result of which he became a target, now he has to not only deal with the former employer, but also save several lives, including the life of an unexpected ally who was involved in this whole channel through him. The story for a criminal action movie is quite simple - and this is its plus. I saw a detailed scenario move, for example, in the film "The Crying Killer", "John Wick" and many others. After all, the militants are not looking for complicated stories with an unexpected turn, but for the shootings, fights and chases. The sad moments that reveal the characters of the heroes were also brought into history, thanks for which. Especially now I have watched an extended version of the picture, which added interesting and sometimes sad dialogs. The picture ends at the right moment, although in something sad. For this genre - just right. It is a pity that the picture failed at the box office.
So cons:
1. Scenic holes - not without it. At the first viewing, they obviously will not catch your eye, and in childhood I did not notice them at all, but now. Let's just say that in several scenes the actions of both heroes and bandits defy any logic. Does this hit perception hard? No, not much. But when you think about it, you want to exclaim - "Juno, take you!"
2. Final - yes, I already said that it breaks off in the right place, but you know me, I'm a romantic damn! I want another finale, well, please!
A little about the main characters:
1. John Lee, played by Chow-Yun-Fat, is a Chinese expat, a top-notch hitman working for a very influential crime boss. He ruined the task, as a result of which he became a walking target. A killer, but with his code of honor. Something like Leon. As a child, I tried to be like him, but I talked about this above. How does he really like a suit and pistols, which he skillfully uses. An unrealistically cool hero, which Chow perfectly embodied on the screen. which is not surprising, given his experience in Hong Kong action movies! Bravo Chow!
2. Meg Cowburn performed by Mira Sorvino is a casual acquaintance of John, whom he dragged into disassembly, and now bears responsibility for it, though the lady is not from a timid dozen, but is able to fend for herself no worse than her forced ally. True, they will not tell us about the acquisition of these skills that saddens. The Beauty of the World coped with this role perfectly, you can't argue.
3. Terence Way performed by Kenneth Zahn is John's crime boss. After the failure of the order, orders to eliminate the insolent. Typical bigwigs. Rich, domineering, and not forgiving. Kenneth just fit perfectly.
Still here, cool guys such as Danny Trejo and Til Schweiger lit up.
As a result, we have a good action movie from the nineties with a good atmosphere, excellent shootings, a simple but memorable story, charismatic heroes, high-quality music and excellent acting.