Reviews (37)

High Kickin' Funfest Galore!
I realize that this may be an acquired taste which only means that even if you have not acquired this taste then you are still required to admit that this film is absolutely, positively, hands down funtastic.

Duh, I'm not even sure which page I'm on; if this is the Americanized version or not. I own the true blue Hong Kong edition which is supposed to contain some flippin' freaky scenes edited out of the American version. I've seen both but cannot remember because, oh, blar!, never mind.....

Back to the movie: "Heroic Trio" stars three of Hong Kong's mightiest screen queens as superheroes. Michelle Yeoh plays Invisible Girl who can become, well, invisible and really kick some bad man fanny, Anita Mui plays Wonder Woman who is quite different from the Amazonian Wonder Woman but just as effective, and Maggie Cheung is the streetwise little Thief Catcher who drives a mean motorcycle and carries an arsenal of nasty toys. Despite some personal differences the three gang together to track down the rotten evil doer who is 'napping poor little innocent babes to fulfill his fiendish scheme. The special effects and action scenes are psycho-silly wild yet the atmosphere is dark and moody with just enough bitter-sweetness to snap a heartstring or two.

A note on Michelle Yeoh: I don't understand Hollywood for seemingly tossing her aside after sticking her in one James Bond flick. Miss Yeoh is the best female action star around; we see Jackie here and there and Jet everywhere, but where oh where is Michelle? This woman has got the goods (my martial arts instructor Saul-Yu Lingstein will back me on this 100%), yet Hollywood stupidly persists in casting flashy young starlets who don't know kung-fu from King Kong from Donkey Kong from a horse's patootie.

Anyway, this movie is one kickin' good time and is REQUIRED viewing for all human beings. So don't just sit there - get watching!

Please note!
For those of you thinking of purchasing this DVD, please note that the dialogue is dubbed in English completely. For those of you who prefer it in its original language (Cantonese), give this a miss.

Otherwise the movie is great and the acting superb, plus we get to see the late Anita Mui in action. What can you say... top notch performance from Michelle Yeoh, Maggie Cheung and Anita Mui.

The Heroic Trio
Proud to say that I do own the Tai Seng release of this DVD. That itself is a good thing because it doesn't have the garbage sound actors, the good stuff isn't edited, and what's the point of seeing this movie if you're not seeing it the way it should be?

But, I will say that if you do decide to pick up this movie, first, look for the Tai Seng release of it. Though it is out of print, it is still around in places.

If you can't, then, fall down to the "mouse" and pick this copy up.

A little about the movie: It was influenced by the movie "Batman," and the directors (Ching Siu Tung & Johnny To) liked it so much, they wanted to make a film just lke that. And, how can you go wrong with Michelle Yeoh, Maggie Chung and Anita Mui? You truly can't.

I would have given this movie 4 stars, but, seeing I'm not too big a fan of what Disney did to this version, I can only give it a 3. Horrid dubbing and editing so obvious to those that have seen the original.

Disney, as well as all the other movie studios, you need to stop cutting and dubbing the Asian films - you do a horrible job. Leave it the way it was supposed to be, and give us the subtitles instead.

The Heroic Trio
The bad editing turned me off to this movie. I didn't need to see the wires to know that they were using them. Thru the whole movie I spotted items that should have been edited out.

The Heroic Trio
Starring Anita Mui ('Rumble In The Bronx'), Michelle Yeoh ('Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon') and Maggie Cheung ('In The Mood For Love') as three crime-fighting superheroines in Hong Kong's answer to Gotham City, 'The Heroic Trio' is a high-kicking, crimson-soaked comic book action romp that could only come out of our favourite country for hi-octane beat-em-ups. As you might have guessed, it's hardly Oscar-winning stuff; the plot is at times incomprehensible, the sets cheap and the acting camp, but it all adds to the charm. This is, after all, not a film to be analysed, but enjoyed with popcorn on a Friday night. And, as that, it succeeds - the action sequences are very exciting, the wire work is well done, the original score is superb and, of course, our three leading ladies light up the screen at every turn. But those weak in the knee may wish to turn away at certain points as it does get a tad grisley at times, what with decapitations, exploding body parts, cannibalism and baby-murdering. Indeed, the violence is so over-the-top at times that it becomes not so much offensive as it does laughable. Which was probably the idea.

So while the movie itself is recommended, Buena Vista's DVD release definitely isn't. The Disney company has once again seen fit to edit yet another Asian movie for its Western market - this time by three minutes to remove the aforementioned gory moments. And, as expected, the original Cantonese soundtrack has been replaced with a dreadful English dub and generic score - denying us the pleasure of hearing Anita Mui's two excellent songs. Still, this is what we've come to expect from the distributor that seems to delight in infuriating hardcore Chinese film fans. Those wishing to own the uncut version of the film would be advised to seek out the 'Universe' DVD from Hong Kong or the now out-of-print 'Tai Seng' American release. Better still (if you have PAL/Region 2 capabilities), waiting for the forthcoming remastered Special Edition from British DVD label 'Hong Kong Legends' would be the ideal solution. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

The Mission, an alternative to the action genre.
Everyone loves a great shootout in their action film right? How about four to five? Johnny To directs this clever and thoughful film about five men hired to guard a highly-ranked Triad boss. Each man has his own story and thus makes this action film a character driven one as well. Although the film has only 81 minutes to enthrall you, every minute is worth it. The acting, especially Francis Ng's and Anthony Wong's performances are sleek, stylish and humorous. Although the DVD isn't loaded with extras, it's the best format-- especially since the VHS version will have you using magnifying glasses when reading the subtitles. An amazing action film at any rate and a must see for any Hong Kong film fan or pure gangster movie buff.

A warning about the DVD subtitles
I loved the film, but a word of warning about the english subtitles. The translation is very strange in parts - substitution of completely wrong words with a similar spelling. Also the subtitles linger only just long enough for you to be able to read them if you happen to be looking at the bottom of the screen waiting in anticipation.

One Good Reason To Start Watching HK Action Flicks
Nearly every frame of this film is celluloid done perfect.

Much like a violent twist of THE USUAL SUSPECTS, THE MISSION tells the story of the best hitmen brought together to protect a crime boss from rival assassination. They do succeed after some typical gunplay, but the story isn't quite over as a set of circumstances -- one of them slept with the boss's wife -- sets in motion the final third of the story, pitting killer against killer in a bold, dramatic finish.

What works here, though, isn't so much the action or the acting ... it's the film's construction. The scenes are photographed so well, edited so wonderfully, and laced together with such ease that you hardly notice the ticking of the clock inside your head as long scenes of drawn out suspense go by. The viewer gets drawn up into the structure of a scene -- the way the killers stand poised ready for action, the way the men start to bond with one another in clever little ways of playing with a wadded up a piece of paper -- rather than pointless, meandering dialogue. The moments of silence in this film are just as powerful and important to plot development and progression as are the action pieces.

Any serious student of film should sit through several viewings of THE MISSION. There is plenty to learn here that isn't a part of American action or suspense films on an artistic basis.

One truly great little nifty surprise.

Great Hong Kong drama
This is a great Hong Kong drama as opposed to one of those Hong Kong shoot-em ups. The action sequences aren't over-the-top John Woo catharsis. They're taut, paced and intelligent sequences. The way the characters all come together to form an elite bodyguard team is handled subtly. But the way friendships are portrayed between cold-blooded killers is portrayed real well.

Intense stylish unfogettable movie!
I loved this DVD, I bought it because I liked Roy Cheung - he plays the quiet bleached hair hired killer who knows exactly how he likes his guns to shoot. I liked Roy Cheung because of his versatility - from the screaming bombasity of his characters in Young and Dangerous to his quiet intense part as a solemn holy priest in StormRiders, so here he plays a solemn quiet person struggling with what his heart wants to do when ordered to kill a fellow team member, and what he is called to do. But then, I found out the film was so much more than Roy Cheung - it is really quite outstanding in the male buddy/teamwork is forefront genre, not to mention it is also a great film. It has some very well known HK action stars and to watch their interplay as more and more of their character comes out as the film progresses keeps the movie at an intense pace. You watch it and almost sleep through the beginning, but then the action gets so intense you have to go back to the seemingly unrelated stuff at the beginning of the film to have it make sense, and when it makes sense, for example, I had to replay the shopping mall escalator shoot-out scene (what a shoot-out - it is incredible)again and again to figure out where everyone was standing and gaurding and there are still surprises. Wow! What filmmaking! For a 1999 film, what surprises me is the grainy poor picture quality with uneven contrast so that you are struggling to make out the images, but then again, it could be the Director's intention and eveything looks harsher under florescent lighting. It could also be the ditributor- MeiAh, who also does not include chapter numbers for their dvds. Most of the MeiAh films that I own seems to have a less than perfect picture quality, a little washed out, but this should not stop you from buying this film! This is a really unusual film with some really neat action - I think of it sort of as a Men's action flick. ... Read more

Description

The great Johnnie To (The Mission, Running Out Of Time, The HeroicTrio) directs this intriguing murder mystery with a touch of Zen. Andy Lau (InfernalAffairs, The Duel), in his most daring role to date, is Biggie, a huge, muscular Buddhistmonk who knows kung fu and somehow has "Karma"--the ability to see things beforethey happen. Biggie's unusual characteristics soon arouse the interest of policewomanYee (Cecilia Cheung), who begins to fall in love with him. But when Biggie's karmaforesees Yee's impending death from murder, he has to do everything in his power to stopfate. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

One of the best
I bought this movie in the first place because Andy Lau is the main character. He didn't let me down in the movie. I do not want to say to much about the movie and ruin it for anyone who decides to buy. All I have to write is that somethings are meant to be no matter how much you try to make go differently. Hence the name of the movie Karma. What you did in your past life you pay for in the future.

A well made movie
I like this movie a lot because it symbolize a lot of things in life. Makes you think twice before doing something wrong and why things are like they are. I was going to assume this is going to be another "Wham Bam makes no sense Andy Lau movie" but i was wrong.

Enjoyed much more than I thought I would
I thought this would be a write off, Andy Lau in another body suit. But the movie was a lot more than I bargained. How does karmic retribution work and who deserves or doesn't deserve their death are questions lightly grazed over in this movie. Some people carry too much sin. They must pay in this life. That's a hard pill to swallow. Cecilia and Andy aren't perfect in the movie (neither is the script), but it's still pretty good. Please. Compare that to Wesley's Mysterious File and the other crap that came out last year or so? Meh.

Point of view
First off, I liked this movie, although I agree with everything the other viewer said. The movie starts off fantastically well. Andy Lau (Big) and Cecilia Cheung (Lee Fung Yee) have great chemistry, and the special effects are very well done. It's a lot of fun all around. Then, in the last Act, everything comes to a head as Lee goes looking for Sun Ko, who murdered Big's friend Jade, is killed by him, on that same mountain where he killed Jade.
Big had been a monk and left the Temple (at the foot of the mountain) after Jade was killed when, in a frustrated rage, he (Big) had killed a sparrow and been endowed with an ability to see Karma. Now, he was back on the mountain seeking revenge. He ends up chasing Sun Ko back to a sacred cave with obscure graffitti on the walls and buddhist statuary around its external perimeter. Here he finds that he has been chasing his own karmic self and, if he didn't come to grips with it, he was doomed to creating a cycle of death and revenge (which was the motivation behind the first murder which brought Big and Lee together).
If looked on in that light, the ending becomes sadly poetic as Big accepts the deaths of Jade and Lee as part of their karma, dons the old robes he had discarded on the mountain five years previously and continues his search. Now, however, when he and Sun Ko meet (after another 5 years), instead of revenge, there is compassion and the karmic imbalance is resolved.
Like I said, I liked this movie. Although, like the other reviewer, I too would have wished for a sweeter ending for Lee and Big.

Good for the first two thirds
The story begins with Big (Andy Lau in a muscle suit) strutting his stuff for the ladies at a male strip club. It's just another night on the job for the big guy until he and the rest of the club are surprised by a police raid led by an undercover Lee Fung Yee (Cecilia Cheung). When Big, wearing only a smile, makes a break for it, he literally runs into the main suspect of a murder and we quickly discover Big's rather unusual talent: his ability to see how people will die.

Big is hauled away by the Serious Crimes Unit but is soon rescued by Fung Yee. Feeling that he can trust her, Big reveals to her his gift and that he was once a monk with extraordinary physical abilities. The two join forces to hunt the murder suspect, but all the while, Big sees horrific images in Fung Yee's karma, which he knows point to her inevitable and untimely demise.

The first two thirds of Karma are great fun as Fung Yee gets to know and like Big. There are elements of The X-Files mixed with superhero standards and some laugh-out-loud comedy. Had the movie kept this formula and not attempted to jump the tracks, I would have been able to recommend it.

Unfortunately, the creative team opted for a bizarre third act that has some rather dark moments and goes into philosophical territory in a clumsy and amateurish fashion. This change in tone is, IMHO, far too drastic; in fact, I would go so far as to say that the final act belongs in a different movie.

This sudden shift is really unfortunate as both the Lau and Cheung are incredibly likeable in their roles and deserved a much better script. I would really like to see Big and Fung Yee in a story that's focused and not so eager to shift from genre to genre.

In short, Karma has a really promising start but derails towards the finish. My recommendation would be to watch the first two thirds of the movie and then write your own ending for it.

2.5 out of 5 ... Read more

Amazon.com

Johnny To, whose cool, precise gangster thriller The Mission is one of the best Hong Kong films since the Chinese takeover, brings a stylish flair to Running Out of Time, an absurdly plotted but compelling cat-and-mouse crime drama that became a box-office smash in Hong Kong. Criminal genius Wah (pop star Andy Lau) is given only a few weeks to live by his doctor, so he embarks on an elaborate heist and strings along hostage negotiator and unconventional supercop Sang (Lau Ching Wan) as part of the fun. "I just want to play a game with you for 72 hours," Wah confesses. "Great," responds Sang's blustery boss, "it's lunatic against lunatic." The elaborate scheme has something to do with a bald badass mobster (an almost unrecognizable Waise Lee, of John Woo's Bullet in the Head and A Better Tomorrow), a priceless gem, and a debt of honor. There's a hint of Woo's warrior bonding as cop and crook develop a respectful adversarial friendship in their running battle of wits: "If you can get me to the police station, you win." It all hinges on some far-fetched twists and the Hong Kong cops are little more than buffoons for most of the film, but To's steely seriousness, sleek style, and runaway pacing keep the film flying through most of the improbabilities. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Keep RUNNING
There's something to said for this tightly-woven Hong Kong action thriller because RUNNING OUT OF TIME tries very hard to combine the traditional buddy picture with one pinch of "The Sting" and a hint of "Tootsie" thrown in for unexpected laughs.

What makes TIME tick is the slickness of the characters: Wah only has a few weeks to live, suffering from a form of incurable cancer, and he finds himself paired with police negotiator Sang in his final act toward redemption. Redemption, however, already has its price tag on it, as Wah's condition quickly deteriorates, and he must rely on an unlikely friendship with Sang to help make end-meet-end before meeting his Maker.

These two actors make the picture work, despite some clunky dialogue (especially clunky in the English-dubbed version, so be warned). Their chemistry onscreen elevates TIME to higher levels of interest for the viewer as you don't know who to root for here: the cop being hustled by the shylock, or the shylock living out his last few days trying to mend life's wrongs.

Regardless of whom you root for, RUNNING OUT OF TIME is a great achievement -- a welcome twist to the cop/crook formula -- that gives you some wonderfully unexpected laughs as the story unfolds.

Okay, could've been better.....
Running Out of Time

Running out of Time, is a Hong Kong action movie staring Cheung (Andy Lau) and Inspector Ho (Lau Chin Wan).

Cheung is a handsome young burglar with Terminal cancer and three days to live. Ho is a bored police officer determined to apprehend him.

Cheung, in an effort to make his last days on earth worthwhile, is determined to avenge his father's death, by stealing a large, improbably blue diamond, and framing his enemy for the deed. During the course of events, he has run-ins with police officer Ho and a beautiful woman he meets on the bus.

Regretfully most of the action consisted of scenes where the bad guys chase Ho, and scenes of Cheung crawling through air ducts, (its amazing how many person-sized air ducts there are in high security buildings), or scenes with Cheung messing with security cameras.

This movie failed for me because I kept expecting to explore Cheung's character more deeply. (If he was dying of cancer, why did he wait so long to seek revenge? Why was he so determined to frame the bad guys? What was his motivation for baiting Ho?)

So many of these questions were unanswered, and for this reason, I was left feeling unsatisfied with this movie.

very good...one of Andy's best....
Johnny To , Lau Ching Wan, and Andy Lau did an excellent job.

Inspector Ho( Lau Ching Wan) is a police negotiator who's playing cat-and-mouse with the thief Cheung( Andy Lau). Cheung robs a hong kong high rise, but the reason why is unclear.
As Ho begins to investigate, the audience gets to know lil better too, but not too much. Cheung is doing this because his dying day is near, and he's using the time he got left to avenge for his father....

Sure, there are some plot holes, but how many HK movies can you point out with no plot holes??? especially genre like this?
however, Andy did an awesome job at playing the role of Cheung.
The style, pacing, actiong, and direction is simply great.

Andy won best actor for 19th annual Hong Kong film awards.

Simply amazing
i am a huge fan of HK flicks. i love them all:...martial arts, quirky romance, and most of all heart-wrenching dramas. this film lived up to and surpassed my expectations. Andy Lau is a tremendous actor as is Lau Ching Wan. these two bounce and feed off each other beautifully in this cat-and-mouse movie. both use one another for personal gain yet when things get intense they are there to help the other out. i was just amazed when i finished watching it. this is definitely one to add to any person's movie collection, whether you are die-hard HK or not. subtitles shouldn't scare you away. trust me and see this movie.

Not so bad HK flick. Worth a view
Johnny To has got to be up there as one of my favourite producer/ directors- and this movie does not disappoint
Although its not one of the most realistic movies, it is quite enjoyable if you can open your mind and pretend its all possible :)

Its the story of a man, played by Andy Lau, who has *cough cough* only weeks to live due to some unspecified disease. As a result he goes on a rampage to make the most of his short term existence.

The highlights of the movie would probably be the cinematography, first and foremost... the movie does have an interest mood. Second would probably be the rhad chick who isnt some helpless annoying chick like in most asian movies and thirdly the fact that this movie doesnt distract itself too much from the main plot.

Take that last statement how you wish. Dont expect a Wong Kar Wai movie here with a million sub-plots.
This is just a straight forward action flick.

I find it hard to relate to the characters in this movie.
And i believe its the mood which makes this one a cut above average. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Squeeky Clean, Funny and Fun
If you're looking for a sweet, light-weight distraction in your movie life, this one will do. This film succeeds, with appropriate casting for the material, good pacing, and laughs, because it's not trying too hard. Some Hong Kong romantic comedies try too hard to be funny and sweet. This one simply is.

A Deserving HK Box Office Hit
Though they've begun to dabble in commercial cinema, Milky Way Productions has never done a movie this fluffy and inconsequential. Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai have adapted a Metro Radio audio play about workplace romance and gossip, and even brought in the two stars who performed said play: Andy Lau and Sammi Cheng. The result is probably the most satisfying and enjoyable HK romance since The Golden Girls.

Lau is Wah-Siu, womanizing top sales manager of an HK electronics firm. Cheng is Kinki, one of his newly transferred assistants, who finds her boyfriend Dan (Gabriel Harrison) cheating on her. Kinki is an emotionally unusual girl. Given to fits of pathological cleaning, Kinki is a perpetual doormat but a pure-hearted girl (is there ever any other type in an HK romance?). Though Wah-Siu initially finds Kinki an awful employee, he eventually recognizes her kindness and work ethic, and proceeds to befriend and mentor her in resolving her situation with Dan. Meanwhile, old flame Fiona (Fiona Leung) arrives and senses that Kinki may be occupying to much to Wah-Siu's time. She arranges to have internet mogul Roger Young (Raymond Wong) squire Kinki, which drives Wah-Siu into his own romantically-depressed spiral.

This airy movie sounds like a typical weeper, but Johnnie To and Wai-Ka Fai find new ways to entertain. Wah-Siu and Kinki are both overdrawn but likable and identifiable characters, and their romantic trials are told more through incidental action than verbal affirmation. Leave it to the Milky Way guys to pioneer a cinematic romantic comedy. When whole pages of exposition can be substituted by one finely-timed gesture or action, it makes moviegoing all the more enjoyable. Sammi Cheng and Andy Lau manage to find some genuine chemistry, with Cheng turning in a delightfully endearing performance. Her goofy charm and girlish grace make her the most winning HK romantic comedy lead since Anita Yuen. At the halfway point of 2000, Needing You qualifies as the best Hong Kong film of the year.

honestly..im not a big fan of romantic comedy....
i couldnt believe when the case said it was directed by johnny to...the same director who brought me joy in ' The Mission'???

Andy Lau plays Wah-Siu, a player/top sales manager of an Electronics firm. Sammi Cheng is Cinki, his new assistant, and she finds her Bf cheating on her. She is very weird(emotionally) she's a pure-hearted girl( how many grls have we seen in HK cinema that are *pure hearted*??)Though at first, Wah-Siu finds Cinki a horrible assistant, he eventually recognizes her kindness and work ethic, and becomes friend with her starts to give her advices, to resolve the situation with her bf. Then Fiona arrives and senses that they are spending too much time together so she sets up a little somethin somethin...

Andy Lau and Sammi Cheng, seem to have great chemistry. She is probably the best Andy Lau grl in the business. Sure it's cheesy, weepy, and been made over and over and over, but MilkyWay did a very fine job of direction, so it is very enjoyable.

watch with your friends, gf/bf anyone....i stil think this was one of the best movies of 2000.

It's all in the execution
It could be argued that there has not been an original movie plot since the silent age. Where does that leave us? It leaves us with the realization that it's not the story you tell, but HOW you tell the story. Of course this movie is predictable, it's a romantic comedy. If a suspense or mystery film is predictable then it ceases to to be suspenseful or mysterious. But 99% of romantic comedies end the same way and everybody knows it. The pleasure is in the journey. Your traveling partners on this journey are the dependable Andy Lau and the mesmerizing Sammi Cheng. Ms. Cheng is a wonderful, quirky actress who commands your attention every time she's on the screen, even if she's just sipping a soda through a straw. The writing is crisp and funny. The direction is brought to you by that wonderful duo Johnny To & Wai Ka-fai, who are responsible for some of the best HK movies in recent years, including "Beyond Hypothermia" and the gender bending "Wu Yen" which also starred Sammi Cheng. If you like romantic comedies, then this is your film.

FUNNY MOVIE
Although I wish my gf would start cleaning when stressed =) This lighthearted comedy is something worth watching. It is funny to see Andy Lau playing a character who can't ride a bike. ... Read more

Description

This ultra-stylish actioner from acclaimed director Johnnie To (Running On Karma, The Mission) swept the board at the recent Golden Bauhinia Award, winning 6 of the 8 major awards including Best Picture and Best Director. When a colleague's handgun is missing, a maverick squad of PTU (Police Tactical Unit) officers conducts an all-night search through the gritty streets of Kowloon. The search unexpectedly triggers a suspenseful chain of events that will eventually lead to the inevitable, explosive showdown between the good and the bad. With startling cinematography and an award-winning performance by Simon Yam (Tomb Raider 2), PTU is a mesmerizing, atmospheric visual ballet punctuated with unforgettable action setpieces. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Starts out interesting and ends a little weak.
At first the film is very promising. However, towards the end it just fades. The movie paces itself nicely throughout the movie using John Woo's old style elements to accomplish beautiful screenplay, directing, and artful action. Somehow it just changes towards 3/4's way into the film. I feel the director just had a hardtime ending it and simply ended it very awkwardly. It's like he had a good idea and doesnt know how to finish it. The dialogue is really neat and the action is even more impressive utilizing John Woo's old style to give us a refreshing screen play that is gone in Woo's new style of film making as we can see when he arrived to America. John Woo's style has dimished with each passing film and at least this director brings back old memories.

Pros:
-nice screenplay
-interesting dialogue
-artful action
-great use of coreography and filming quality is great

Cons:
-as the film progressed the movie slows down
-muffled storyline, confusing plot
-strange use of languages make it hard to focus on the characters. The movie shifts from cantonese to english to chinese without reason. (the japanese language used by the characters has a point to the movie so I wont complain about its usage).

Watch it only if you are a hardcore HK movie fan
Doesn't even come close to a John Woo, Ringo Lam or Tsui Hark film. Some interesting action sequences though - the opening is excellent. I found Andy Lau's acting a little over the top. Also, it seemed that every character was coincidentally related to another character in several ways. 2 rival assasins and one assasin's boss is the brother of the other assasin? A few of these I'll buy but there were way too many unexplained coincidences. I would have preferred a longer film that probed more info the relationships. Don't bother with this unless you are die hard HK fan - there are much better HK films out there.

Not Bad Actioner, But Definitely NOT the Best Of Johnny To
Excuse me for giving only three stars for this film, for I know "Fulltime Killer" is, good as it is, NOT the best of Johnny To, a Hong Kong director whose intense style is not be missed. His best remains "Running Out of Time" (starring the same cool Andy Lau), or "The Mission," especially the latter one. See them first, and remember his name.

"Fulltime Killer" is in fact co-directed with Wai Ka Fai, but the subdued style is definitely that of Johnny To. The film traces the two free-lance killers, "O" (Takashi Sorimachi, popular Japanese actor), and Tok (Lau). O is the top dog of the killers, but Tok, confident of his professional skills, wants to bring him down in his own style. In between comes a female cleak working at a rental video store (beside the escalator which was shown in one famous Hong Kong film), Chin (Kelly Lin), and the determined policeman Lee (veteran Simon Yam).

The gun action of the film is an average one, but sadly, as the story lacks coherent developing, it is often hard to follow what is going on. Johhny To's cool style and oddball humor are not given much chance to be shown, and the result is curiously devoid of tension, even though the actions themselves are decetly done.

Some people might find the languages it uses slightly troublesome, for Andy Lau often speaks Japanese, which is very hard to understand (I am a Japanese, and watched it in the origiunal language). But more lamentable thing is the lack of charisma of Sorimachi as "O" whose one-dimentional performance as a killer with a heart lacks convincing power. And as for Andy Lau, he was much better in "Running Out of Time."

The film is a result of recent Hong Kong film industry, which tries to capitalize on the name of Japanese actors who are gaining popularity in Hong Kong. But I think the casting here has backfired. I do not say "Fulltime Killer" is bad. I only say you can get better ones from To, underrated Hong KOng filmmaker, and that is "The Mission" which you should see first.

Beats You With A Stick
Full Time Killer is teh win. It steals your megahertz. Stop teh hacks. ii omoshiroite desu yo!

Question
For anyone who has seen this movie, do you know what song is played when O is listening to the mp3 player in chapter 7 I think. I would really like to know and if anyone can help. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Better than the first!
Ekin Chen stars as the Mysterious criminal Ken, a 'Robin Hood' style villain, with the talents of a magician, who robs from the rich and gives to the poor. When a hostage situation breaks out, Inspector Ho (Lau Ching Wan), is once more called upon to track down the villain.

Ekin did a wonderful job as Ken. He is handsome and charismatic, and fully believable as a magician and a criminal mastermind. Wan, is great as the much beleaguered and put upon Inspector Ho.

I liked this sequel much more than the original movie. Ekin did a great job of acting, and Hong Kong at Christmas was simply beautiful.

I recommend this movie for fans of Hong Kong cinema, or fans of Ekin. While the plot is not especially deep, it was a light and fun action movie, sure to entertain fans of the HK action film genre. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

more like 4.8 pretty good...
This movie is a stylized version of *A Better Tomorrow*.

Leon Lai and Lau ChingWan are the 2 ace hitman in the middle of the gangwar. Tho they work for different bosses, they develop a strange friendship. Sadly, they expect one to die by the other's hand. And the opportunity comes up, as they get a lil *competiion* at Malaysia. But their bosses join force, to leave them dead. It's only through each killer's sense of honor and perseverance that payback can be done.

Once again, Lau Ching Wan turns in a fine performance. Charismatic and layered performance. Leon Lai is pretty good as Jack.

Action and melancholy create a great film.
From great Director Johnny To, 'A Hero Never Dies' is quiet simply a heart pounding battle of guts; heroism; friendship; love; and revenge. This is simply one of the best films made ever in the history of Hong Kong Cinema and is rivaled only by 'The Killer';'The Longest Nite';'Hard Boiled';and 'Full Contact', it is one of the best films of it's genre and is widely considered a fantastic film for it's performances by Lau Ching Wan and Leon Lai, as well as the superior direction of Johnny To.

'A Hero Never Dies' is a must for people that enjoyed any of the mentioned films and, like the Longest Nite, it is definetly not for people with out a mind. The film is involveing, emotional, and creative.

Outstanding!! Loved it!
This is one of the best HK movies I've ever seen. There are some really neat scenes in this movie that will make you say "how did they do that?" specifically the scene where the 2 characters are in the bar trying to outdo each other with their own tricks. It is a revenge movie with a great storyline as well. I would consider this along with "Running Out of Time" as Johnny To's best. The Mission on the other hand, is just plain boring.

A Better Tomorrow...WAAAAAAY BETTER!
John Woo...John Shmoo. Any Hong Kong fan that hasn't seen this movie isn't a Hong Kong fan. This is a tale of true love, friendship and above all...broken honor. I've seen it 25 times already and I'm still not sick of it. If only I had a woman like the women these guys had. To make a long story short - get this movie. Everything about it rocks. It's better than anything John Woo has done (well...The Killer comes close). Lan Ching Wan is excellent. Leon Lai is, as always, himself. The soundtrack, which exploits different variations of Sukiyaki is beautiful. I'm surprized I'm only the 3rd reviewer for this film...and the only guy to give it 5 stars. Wake up and smell the pork buns fellas!!!

A hero Never Dies
johnny To used to be a master of melodrama, partly due to his training from the tv soap opera...but since this very film, he changed into a serious filmmaker with a thorough look at the person "hero", in terms of both human nature and the burden which were set on them by the world. I think To was greatly influnced by his writer-partner Wai Ka Fai on this issue. Looking foward to seeing his latest "Running Out of Time" and "Mission". ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Starts out interesting and ends a little weak.
At first the film is very promising. However, towards the end it just fades. The movie paces itself nicely throughout the movie using John Woo's old style elements to accomplish beautiful screenplay, directing, and artful action. Somehow it just changes towards 3/4's way into the film. I feel the director just had a hardtime ending it and simply ended it very awkwardly. It's like he had a good idea and doesnt know how to finish it. The dialogue is really neat and the action is even more impressive utilizing John Woo's old style to give us a refreshing screen play that is gone in Woo's new style of film making as we can see when he arrived to America. John Woo's style has dimished with each passing film and at least this director brings back old memories.

Pros:
-nice screenplay
-interesting dialogue
-artful action
-great use of coreography and filming quality is great

Cons:
-as the film progressed the movie slows down
-muffled storyline, confusing plot
-strange use of languages make it hard to focus on the characters. The movie shifts from cantonese to english to chinese without reason. (the japanese language used by the characters has a point to the movie so I wont complain about its usage).

Watch it only if you are a hardcore HK movie fan
Doesn't even come close to a John Woo, Ringo Lam or Tsui Hark film. Some interesting action sequences though - the opening is excellent. I found Andy Lau's acting a little over the top. Also, it seemed that every character was coincidentally related to another character in several ways. 2 rival assasins and one assasin's boss is the brother of the other assasin? A few of these I'll buy but there were way too many unexplained coincidences. I would have preferred a longer film that probed more info the relationships. Don't bother with this unless you are die hard HK fan - there are much better HK films out there.

Not Bad Actioner, But Definitely NOT the Best Of Johnny To
Excuse me for giving only three stars for this film, for I know "Fulltime Killer" is, good as it is, NOT the best of Johnny To, a Hong Kong director whose intense style is not be missed. His best remains "Running Out of Time" (starring the same cool Andy Lau), or "The Mission," especially the latter one. See them first, and remember his name.

"Fulltime Killer" is in fact co-directed with Wai Ka Fai, but the subdued style is definitely that of Johnny To. The film traces the two free-lance killers, "O" (Takashi Sorimachi, popular Japanese actor), and Tok (Lau). O is the top dog of the killers, but Tok, confident of his professional skills, wants to bring him down in his own style. In between comes a female cleak working at a rental video store (beside the escalator which was shown in one famous Hong Kong film), Chin (Kelly Lin), and the determined policeman Lee (veteran Simon Yam).

The gun action of the film is an average one, but sadly, as the story lacks coherent developing, it is often hard to follow what is going on. Johhny To's cool style and oddball humor are not given much chance to be shown, and the result is curiously devoid of tension, even though the actions themselves are decetly done.

Some people might find the languages it uses slightly troublesome, for Andy Lau often speaks Japanese, which is very hard to understand (I am a Japanese, and watched it in the origiunal language). But more lamentable thing is the lack of charisma of Sorimachi as "O" whose one-dimentional performance as a killer with a heart lacks convincing power. And as for Andy Lau, he was much better in "Running Out of Time."

The film is a result of recent Hong Kong film industry, which tries to capitalize on the name of Japanese actors who are gaining popularity in Hong Kong. But I think the casting here has backfired. I do not say "Fulltime Killer" is bad. I only say you can get better ones from To, underrated Hong KOng filmmaker, and that is "The Mission" which you should see first.

Beats You With A Stick
Full Time Killer is teh win. It steals your megahertz. Stop teh hacks. ii omoshiroite desu yo!

Question
For anyone who has seen this movie, do you know what song is played when O is listening to the mp3 player in chapter 7 I think. I would really like to know and if anyone can help. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Get out the Kleenex!
My Left Eye Sees Ghosts (Johnny To and Ka-Fai Wai, 2002)

Forget what Amazon, IMDB, even the actors in the DVD extras tell you; My Left Eye Sees Ghosts is not a horror film any more than Saturday the 14th or The Frighteners is a horror film; it uses some of the genre's trappings, true, but this wonderful little gem is nothing more than a romantic comedy, a chick flick with ghosts, or an episode of Coupling directed by Dario Argento.

May (Sammi Cheng of The Monkey King) met and fell in love with a rich guy while they were both on a cruise. They got married within a week, and soon after, he drowned in diving accident while still on the cruise. (You can tell it's not an American film, no one suspects May of killing her new husband.) She returns to Japan, where her mother-in-law wants to make her into a productive member of society, her husband's ex-girlfriend can't stand to be in the same room with her, and her new sister-in-law wants to help, but is your basic airhead. And they all work for the same company as executives. Like I said, an episode of Coupling (except that Steve is dead).

May, who's basically a wastrel, isn't getting anywhere fast, and ends up behind the wheel of her husband's favorite classic car, drink in one hand, smoke in the other, nose of car to wall. She dies, and her ghost floats around the accident, asking people if she's dead; no one can hear her except another ghost, whom we later find out is Ken the Class Clown (the incomparable Ching Wan Lau, known to Americans thanks to a few roles in Jet Li films), who tells her it's not her time yet, and she needs to get back into her body. Once she does, however, she finds out she has a certain nasty affliction (mentioned in the movie's title). Soon, the world's ghosts are all after her to do things for them, when all she wants is to find her husband's spirit and tell him how much she misses him.

Seeing a non-American chick flick is a revelation of sorts, and one wishes the American directors of movies like this would all be sat down in a theater to watch My Left Eye Sees Ghosts. None of the manipulation; it's all storyline, character chemistry, and pacing. And because of that, My Left Eye Sees Ghosts rises head and shoulders above almost anything the American romantic-comedy world has turned out in decades (Return to Me is the only film even approaching the subtlety and brilliance here).

Absolutely wonderful. A must-see. **** ½ ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Grim "un"reality of post-armageddon China
This film's prequel, The Heroic Trio, end with a triumphant mood as the sexy trifecta of Wonder Woman, Invisible Girl and Thief Catcher make good and rid China of a demon from Hell who threatened the very existance of mankind. When Executioners opens, it would seem that no one was paying attention to the evil people who lived on Earth because China (and the rest of the world by extension) is devastated in a post-holocaustic setting without clean water and with very little future to look forward to. The Trio comes out of semi-retirement to battle the evil forces of monstrous megalomanics and military murderers. Throw in a couple of superhuman freaks and the battleground is set. But fans of Heroic Trio should be forewarned: even though Good must always defeat Evil, there are very few happy endings in Executioners. It's a very sad film that emphasizes the need for sacrifice in order to acheive the Greater Good. And this film has sacrifices in spades.

On the bright side, it's well acted and Anita Mui stands out in a stunning performance that features her mercurial beauty and her martial arts guile. Michelle Yeoh is Michelle Yeoh and there's no greater compliment than that. Maggie Cheung treats the film as though she's slumming with a B-script instead of starring in an A-level art film but she's still a treat whenever she's chewing up the scenery with her grumpy outbursts. Anthony Wong provides the necessary touches of Evil that make you yearn for the Heroic Trio to hasten his demise. Damian Yau will make you cry.

The music is, as always, a plus in any HK film that features Mui.

Don't sit back and expect a rollicking good time. This is heavy duty fare here. But's it's probably the most-layered and intense HK film that you'll see in a good long time.

NOT Charlies Angels
A nuclear holocaust more or less wipes out civilization and non-contaminated drinking water becomes a scarce commodity. Throw in a lot of social upheaval, the inevitable corrupt government officials, the re-united Heroic Trio, and you get this film, where Maggie Cheung, Anita Mui, and Michelle Yeoh get together one last time to set things right. Sort of. Just be warned this film is syrupy even for Hong Kong Cinema, with lots of cloying sentimental singing over the scenes, crying little girls, destitute people, and butchered martyrs. On the brighter side, it has some truly hellish fights, with one of the three musketeers buying the farm in a manner that's grisly even for standard setting H.K. cinema. The villian is a real heavy who looks like Mankind, the professional wrestler and has a penchant and dispositon for slaughter that makes Freddy Kreuger look like a girl scout in comparison. If you're just getting into Honk Kong Cinema, this film might scare you away, if you're a devoted follower of the genre, you'll probably like it, if you're sitting on the proverbial fence, try something else like one the Chinese Ghost Story films, preferably III. All in all, I didn't really like it myself, although Michelle Yeoh never fails to impress, Anita Mui looked very sultry, and Maggie Cheung never looked better, even if her character was 99.999% attitude problem. Maggie also teaches us how to say "asshole" in Cantonese, which might come in handy in certain Chinese resteraunts where the service is really rude.

Classic flick with all the trimmings
Its hard to say that this movie was awesome, but it was close. I enjoyed the performances of the actresses more than the plot. AS strange as this may seem, each of the stars, possed skills that set them apart from the others. Anita Mui gave an outstanding performance with her talents using the sword. Not to say that Michelle Yeoh and Maggie Cheung gave there best to make this movie a classic. But the movie dragged at points. THe women made the movie worth the view!

Unsatisfying sequel
A very unsatisfying sequel to the wonderful "Heroic Trio." The movie is dark and quite frankly very depressing. Three of the most likable major characters die horribly. Defeat and darkness seem to be the major themes here. There are also other problems; the villain is unbelievably silly, even by HK action movie standards. Master Kim, the villain, spends much of his time in the movie talking to a severed head. Michelle Yeoh is barely in the movie, and much of Anita Mui's screentime is limited to domestic scenes with her husband, who apparently has forbidden her to be Wonder Woman now that she has a child. Maggie Cheung has to carry a lot of the plot (such as it is) as a result, and she's definitely not up to the task in this movie. Instead of appearing scrappy and self-reliant, as in Heroic Trio, her character in "Executioners" comes off as shrill, mean-spirited, and not very bright.

But I don't know if anyone could have worked with this ruin of a plot. Even by HK action standards, the plot is lacking. Several of the most interesting plot threads that began in Heroic Trio (the fact that Wonder Woman and Invisible Girl are sisters, for example) are dropped completely or handled poorly in this movie. The characters are denied the depth and humanity they could have had. The actresses (for the most part) do the best they can with the script (except for Cheung, who really is not very likable here), but the overall pessimism and ugliness eventually overwhelms them - and everyone else in the movie.

Overall, this sequel is very disappointing. I can wholeheartedly recommend "Heroic Trio," but not this movie. Fans of the first film would be well advised to give this one a pass. There's really nothing to recommend this depressing, sludgy mess.

two hours of my life I'll never get back
I don't know what it is about this movie, but it's horrible. That's a particularly sad thing to say after Heroic Trio is one of the best Hong Kong movies in a long time. I'm not sure if I'm annoyed with Michelle Yoeh's prolonged death or her prolonged presence with nothing to do for the rest of the movie, or the fact that the husband is killed 20 minutes into the movie.

It's not just that this is one of the dumber Hong Kong movies I've seen, it's also that it had a potential to be really great. It has great stars, it's a sequel to an amazing movie and it just falls flat. Too many places where nothing's happening, dumb jokes, awful musical montages and the fight scenes don't excite me.

Nothing really to recommend in this movie. I suppose if you are a diehard fan of Anita Mui, Michelle Yoeh or Maggie Cheung (whose better in Green Snake) watch it, but be prepared to be disappointed. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Very nice Hongkong Casino Movie
Do you like Cho Yun Fat? If so, you also will like Andy Lau. I like this DVD very much. Hongkong style casino movies have faithfulness, betrayal, and revenge plot. I think this one is better than original one. If you enjoy this, you also like "God of Gambler(Actor: Chow Yun Fat)" ... Read more

Reviews (37)

High Kickin' Funfest Galore!
I realize that this may be an acquired taste which only means that even if you have not acquired this taste then you are still required to admit that this film is absolutely, positively, hands down funtastic.

Duh, I'm not even sure which page I'm on; if this is the Americanized version or not. I own the true blue Hong Kong edition which is supposed to contain some flippin' freaky scenes edited out of the American version. I've seen both but cannot remember because, oh, blar!, never mind.....

Back to the movie: "Heroic Trio" stars three of Hong Kong's mightiest screen queens as superheroes. Michelle Yeoh plays Invisible Girl who can become, well, invisible and really kick some bad man fanny, Anita Mui plays Wonder Woman who is quite different from the Amazonian Wonder Woman but just as effective, and Maggie Cheung is the streetwise little Thief Catcher who drives a mean motorcycle and carries an arsenal of nasty toys. Despite some personal differences the three gang together to track down the rotten evil doer who is 'napping poor little innocent babes to fulfill his fiendish scheme. The special effects and action scenes are psycho-silly wild yet the atmosphere is dark and moody with just enough bitter-sweetness to snap a heartstring or two.

A note on Michelle Yeoh: I don't understand Hollywood for seemingly tossing her aside after sticking her in one James Bond flick. Miss Yeoh is the best female action star around; we see Jackie here and there and Jet everywhere, but where oh where is Michelle? This woman has got the goods (my martial arts instructor Saul-Yu Lingstein will back me on this 100%), yet Hollywood stupidly persists in casting flashy young starlets who don't know kung-fu from King Kong from Donkey Kong from a horse's patootie.

Anyway, this movie is one kickin' good time and is REQUIRED viewing for all human beings. So don't just sit there - get watching!

Please note!
For those of you thinking of purchasing this DVD, please note that the dialogue is dubbed in English completely. For those of you who prefer it in its original language (Cantonese), give this a miss.

Otherwise the movie is great and the acting superb, plus we get to see the late Anita Mui in action. What can you say... top notch performance from Michelle Yeoh, Maggie Cheung and Anita Mui.

The Heroic Trio
Proud to say that I do own the Tai Seng release of this DVD. That itself is a good thing because it doesn't have the garbage sound actors, the good stuff isn't edited, and what's the point of seeing this movie if you're not seeing it the way it should be?

But, I will say that if you do decide to pick up this movie, first, look for the Tai Seng release of it. Though it is out of print, it is still around in places.

If you can't, then, fall down to the "mouse" and pick this copy up.

A little about the movie: It was influenced by the movie "Batman," and the directors (Ching Siu Tung & Johnny To) liked it so much, they wanted to make a film just lke that. And, how can you go wrong with Michelle Yeoh, Maggie Chung and Anita Mui? You truly can't.

I would have given this movie 4 stars, but, seeing I'm not too big a fan of what Disney did to this version, I can only give it a 3. Horrid dubbing and editing so obvious to those that have seen the original.

Disney, as well as all the other movie studios, you need to stop cutting and dubbing the Asian films - you do a horrible job. Leave it the way it was supposed to be, and give us the subtitles instead.

The Heroic Trio
The bad editing turned me off to this movie. I didn't need to see the wires to know that they were using them. Thru the whole movie I spotted items that should have been edited out.

The Heroic Trio
Starring Anita Mui ('Rumble In The Bronx'), Michelle Yeoh ('Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon') and Maggie Cheung ('In The Mood For Love') as three crime-fighting superheroines in Hong Kong's answer to Gotham City, 'The Heroic Trio' is a high-kicking, crimson-soaked comic book action romp that could only come out of our favourite country for hi-octane beat-em-ups. As you might have guessed, it's hardly Oscar-winning stuff; the plot is at times incomprehensible, the sets cheap and the acting camp, but it all adds to the charm. This is, after all, not a film to be analysed, but enjoyed with popcorn on a Friday night. And, as that, it succeeds - the action sequences are very exciting, the wire work is well done, the original score is superb and, of course, our three leading ladies light up the screen at every turn. But those weak in the knee may wish to turn away at certain points as it does get a tad grisley at times, what with decapitations, exploding body parts, cannibalism and baby-murdering. Indeed, the violence is so over-the-top at times that it becomes not so much offensive as it does laughable. Which was probably the idea.

So while the movie itself is recommended, Buena Vista's DVD release definitely isn't. The Disney company has once again seen fit to edit yet another Asian movie for its Western market - this time by three minutes to remove the aforementioned gory moments. And, as expected, the original Cantonese soundtrack has been replaced with a dreadful English dub and generic score - denying us the pleasure of hearing Anita Mui's two excellent songs. Still, this is what we've come to expect from the distributor that seems to delight in infuriating hardcore Chinese film fans. Those wishing to own the uncut version of the film would be advised to seek out the 'Universe' DVD from Hong Kong or the now out-of-print 'Tai Seng' American release. Better still (if you have PAL/Region 2 capabilities), waiting for the forthcoming remastered Special Edition from British DVD label 'Hong Kong Legends' would be the ideal solution. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Starts out interesting and ends a little weak.
At first the film is very promising. However, towards the end it just fades. The movie paces itself nicely throughout the movie using John Woo's old style elements to accomplish beautiful screenplay, directing, and artful action. Somehow it just changes towards 3/4's way into the film. I feel the director just had a hardtime ending it and simply ended it very awkwardly. It's like he had a good idea and doesnt know how to finish it. The dialogue is really neat and the action is even more impressive utilizing John Woo's old style to give us a refreshing screen play that is gone in Woo's new style of film making as we can see when he arrived to America. John Woo's style has dimished with each passing film and at least this director brings back old memories.

Pros:
-nice screenplay
-interesting dialogue
-artful action
-great use of coreography and filming quality is great

Cons:
-as the film progressed the movie slows down
-muffled storyline, confusing plot
-strange use of languages make it hard to focus on the characters. The movie shifts from cantonese to english to chinese without reason. (the japanese language used by the characters has a point to the movie so I wont complain about its usage).

Watch it only if you are a hardcore HK movie fan
Doesn't even come close to a John Woo, Ringo Lam or Tsui Hark film. Some interesting action sequences though - the opening is excellent. I found Andy Lau's acting a little over the top. Also, it seemed that every character was coincidentally related to another character in several ways. 2 rival assasins and one assasin's boss is the brother of the other assasin? A few of these I'll buy but there were way too many unexplained coincidences. I would have preferred a longer film that probed more info the relationships. Don't bother with this unless you are die hard HK fan - there are much better HK films out there.

Not Bad Actioner, But Definitely NOT the Best Of Johnny To
Excuse me for giving only three stars for this film, for I know "Fulltime Killer" is, good as it is, NOT the best of Johnny To, a Hong Kong director whose intense style is not be missed. His best remains "Running Out of Time" (starring the same cool Andy Lau), or "The Mission," especially the latter one. See them first, and remember his name.

"Fulltime Killer" is in fact co-directed with Wai Ka Fai, but the subdued style is definitely that of Johnny To. The film traces the two free-lance killers, "O" (Takashi Sorimachi, popular Japanese actor), and Tok (Lau). O is the top dog of the killers, but Tok, confident of his professional skills, wants to bring him down in his own style. In between comes a female cleak working at a rental video store (beside the escalator which was shown in one famous Hong Kong film), Chin (Kelly Lin), and the determined policeman Lee (veteran Simon Yam).

The gun action of the film is an average one, but sadly, as the story lacks coherent developing, it is often hard to follow what is going on. Johhny To's cool style and oddball humor are not given much chance to be shown, and the result is curiously devoid of tension, even though the actions themselves are decetly done.

Some people might find the languages it uses slightly troublesome, for Andy Lau often speaks Japanese, which is very hard to understand (I am a Japanese, and watched it in the origiunal language). But more lamentable thing is the lack of charisma of Sorimachi as "O" whose one-dimentional performance as a killer with a heart lacks convincing power. And as for Andy Lau, he was much better in "Running Out of Time."

The film is a result of recent Hong Kong film industry, which tries to capitalize on the name of Japanese actors who are gaining popularity in Hong Kong. But I think the casting here has backfired. I do not say "Fulltime Killer" is bad. I only say you can get better ones from To, underrated Hong KOng filmmaker, and that is "The Mission" which you should see first.

Beats You With A Stick
Full Time Killer is teh win. It steals your megahertz. Stop teh hacks. ii omoshiroite desu yo!

Question
For anyone who has seen this movie, do you know what song is played when O is listening to the mp3 player in chapter 7 I think. I would really like to know and if anyone can help. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Shoushen Nannou
I have not laughed so hard at a movie in many years.
This is an excellent comedy. Andy Lau and Sammi Cheng were
both very funny. Having to read the subtitles did not detract
from this movie at all.

Oishi!
This is a must for Hong Kong film connoisseurs. Set in Japan, it is about 300-pound Mini Mo (Sammi Cheng) who made a vow ten years ago with her old boyfriend-turned-musical superstar (Kurokawa), who apparently doesn't recognize her anymore. Early in the movie, she meets a pudgy Hong Konger, Fatso (Andy Lau) who gets dragged into helping Mini achieve "Mission Impossible" - lose 200 pounds in six months. Mini starts to get thinner, and so is Fatso's patience. But what started as an exhausting ordeal soon turns to unexpected romance...Mini now has to decide between two men. My butchered summary isn't enough to do this film justice. With brilliant make-up magic, a new side of both Sammi Cheng and Andy Lau are seen. The comedy, I think, is more situational and visual, so don't go relying on the storyline. In addition to the comedy, even the dramatic scenes are very strong and well-done. The popular cheeziness that Hong Kong movies are reputed with is definitely not in here. It's very fresh stuff as a whole. And, as a DVD edition, it comes with a behind the scenes feature, which shows the make-up process, characterization and direction of the film, and loads of commentaries from the director, Andy, Sammi, even the make-up guys. Really interesting how they come up with these things.

It's an intriguing, somewhat socially critical movie. It is also a sensitive topic to touch on, but it is very lighthearted in contrast. In no way does this movie intentionally or unintentionally offend anyone, which is a good thing. Just thought I might add this point.

And so, as they say in Japan: Oishi! (Delicious!) Don't pass up this movie! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Keep RUNNING
There's something to said for this tightly-woven Hong Kong action thriller because RUNNING OUT OF TIME tries very hard to combine the traditional buddy picture with one pinch of "The Sting" and a hint of "Tootsie" thrown in for unexpected laughs.

What makes TIME tick is the slickness of the characters: Wah only has a few weeks to live, suffering from a form of incurable cancer, and he finds himself paired with police negotiator Sang in his final act toward redemption. Redemption, however, already has its price tag on it, as Wah's condition quickly deteriorates, and he must rely on an unlikely friendship with Sang to help make end-meet-end before meeting his Maker.

These two actors make the picture work, despite some clunky dialogue (especially clunky in the English-dubbed version, so be warned). Their chemistry onscreen elevates TIME to higher levels of interest for the viewer as you don't know who to root for here: the cop being hustled by the shylock, or the shylock living out his last few days trying to mend life's wrongs.

Regardless of whom you root for, RUNNING OUT OF TIME is a great achievement -- a welcome twist to the cop/crook formula -- that gives you some wonderfully unexpected laughs as the story unfolds.

Okay, could've been better.....
Running Out of Time

Running out of Time, is a Hong Kong action movie staring Cheung (Andy Lau) and Inspector Ho (Lau Chin Wan).

Cheung is a handsome young burglar with Terminal cancer and three days to live. Ho is a bored police officer determined to apprehend him.

Cheung, in an effort to make his last days on earth worthwhile, is determined to avenge his father's death, by stealing a large, improbably blue diamond, and framing his enemy for the deed. During the course of events, he has run-ins with police officer Ho and a beautiful woman he meets on the bus.

Regretfully most of the action consisted of scenes where the bad guys chase Ho, and scenes of Cheung crawling through air ducts, (its amazing how many person-sized air ducts there are in high security buildings), or scenes with Cheung messing with security cameras.

This movie failed for me because I kept expecting to explore Cheung's character more deeply. (If he was dying of cancer, why did he wait so long to seek revenge? Why was he so determined to frame the bad guys? What was his motivation for baiting Ho?)

So many of these questions were unanswered, and for this reason, I was left feeling unsatisfied with this movie.

very good...one of Andy's best....
Johnny To , Lau Ching Wan, and Andy Lau did an excellent job.

Inspector Ho( Lau Ching Wan) is a police negotiator who's playing cat-and-mouse with the thief Cheung( Andy Lau). Cheung robs a hong kong high rise, but the reason why is unclear.
As Ho begins to investigate, the audience gets to know lil better too, but not too much. Cheung is doing this because his dying day is near, and he's using the time he got left to avenge for his father....

Sure, there are some plot holes, but how many HK movies can you point out with no plot holes??? especially genre like this?
however, Andy did an awesome job at playing the role of Cheung.
The style, pacing, actiong, and direction is simply great.

Andy won best actor for 19th annual Hong Kong film awards.

Simply amazing
i am a huge fan of HK flicks. i love them all:...martial arts, quirky romance, and most of all heart-wrenching dramas. this film lived up to and surpassed my expectations. Andy Lau is a tremendous actor as is Lau Ching Wan. these two bounce and feed off each other beautifully in this cat-and-mouse movie. both use one another for personal gain yet when things get intense they are there to help the other out. i was just amazed when i finished watching it. this is definitely one to add to any person's movie collection, whether you are die-hard HK or not. subtitles shouldn't scare you away. trust me and see this movie.

Not so bad HK flick. Worth a view
Johnny To has got to be up there as one of my favourite producer/ directors- and this movie does not disappoint
Although its not one of the most realistic movies, it is quite enjoyable if you can open your mind and pretend its all possible :)

Its the story of a man, played by Andy Lau, who has *cough cough* only weeks to live due to some unspecified disease. As a result he goes on a rampage to make the most of his short term existence.

The highlights of the movie would probably be the cinematography, first and foremost... the movie does have an interest mood. Second would probably be the rhad chick who isnt some helpless annoying chick like in most asian movies and thirdly the fact that this movie doesnt distract itself too much from the main plot.

Take that last statement how you wish. Dont expect a Wong Kar Wai movie here with a million sub-plots.
This is just a straight forward action flick.

I find it hard to relate to the characters in this movie.
And i believe its the mood which makes this one a cut above average. ... Read more