Movies
I got minor Léon vibes from Beyond Hypothermia, but it's very much a To-produced Hong Kong contract killer film. It's not the most original movie out there, but it's been a while since I've watched a film like this, and I was a little surprised to find a quality one from the 90s had managed to escape me for so long. Wu and Lau are excellent, the direction is on point, and there's very little fat to trim. It's a sleek and properly paced crime/action flick with fun characters, some good action scenes, and just enough drama in between to keep the film going. Prime Hong Kong genre filler, a lovely little find.Read all
Johnnie To directing a Shaw Bros film. It's a bit of an odd combination, as To isn't known for his martial arts cinema, while the Shaw Bros studios is a true genre hallmark. It's not the biggest surprise then that the film can't quite compete with the best of early 90s Hong Kong action cinema, but that doesn't mean it's not worth a try. The titular character moves to the city to go and work for one of his father's friends. Competitors of the company hire a gang to mess up their business, but the kid is a skilled martial artist and protects the company. He isn't praised for his efforts though, as the owners fear retribution, and so they fire him. Unsure of where to go next, he joins the criminal gang. The Shaw Bros signature is more visible than To's personal style, which was to be expected. The film looks rather polished, the action scenes are proper and the runtime is fine, it's just the middle part that feels a little sluggish, with some unnecessary drama and romance scenes holding everything up. Not a bad film, but hardly a highlight within To's rich oeuvre.Read all
