Rating: 
Summary: Once a Thief (1996) DVD Review: Not recommended
Review: The original "Once a Thief" was a movie starring Chow-Yun Fat back in 1991 directed by John Woo. It was a wonderful movie and at the time "Face Off" and John Woo's name started to become popular in the US (not just among HK movie buffs), the TV networks wanted a John Woo movie they can show on television.Of course, NBC couldn't show the HK movies, so they redid the film with one notable HK actor, Michael Wong, Ivan Sergei known for his TV appearances, Sandrine Holt known for her UK films, Jennifer Dale who has done many movies but notably known for her voice on X-Men: The Animated Series and Nicholas Lea known for his work on X-Files. Will, I'm sure anyone would jump in a chance to star in a John Woo movie but since this was made for television, you are not going to see the typical John Woo magic. No million bullet shots or blood. The movie was definitely thinned out when it came to John Woo's violence. No particular attention to sounds such as the gun clicks but it did have a few usual slow motion scenes that he's known for. Of course, I recommend the 1991 version but those of us who watched this on television were either hardcore John Woo fans, curious or first-time John Woo viewers or someone who had nothing to watch that night. I purchased this DVD because it is lower priced than most DVD's and I'm a John Woo fan. Also, the movie has this "Director's Cut" logo on the top and it's rated R. OK...I may not remember the TV version but what was the director's cut...I don't know. Why this got "Rated R" on it, I don't know because there is hardly any blood. Oh, well...there is violence (ala people shooting at each other) but wasn't that on TV? Maybe that's what was cut from TV...I don't know. The video is pan & scan and the sound is not 5.1 of course. As for the extra's, there are none. Movie factoids...change that to "factoid". Just one page mentioning the cast, directed by John Woo and that's it. Pretty much what you should expect is the typical movie of the night on DVD but in this case, directed by John Woo. You really have to be a John Woo fan to buy this DVD. Otherwise, this DVD is not recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Once a Thief (1996) DVD Review: Not recommended
Review: The original "Once a Thief" was a movie starring Chow-Yun Fat back in 1991 directed by John Woo. It was a wonderful movie and at the time "Face Off" and John Woo's name started to become popular in the US (not just among HK movie buffs), the TV networks wanted a John Woo movie they can show on television. Of course, NBC couldn't show the HK movies, so they redid the film with one notable HK actor, Michael Wong, Ivan Sergei known for his TV appearances, Sandrine Holt known for her UK films, Jennifer Dale who has done many movies but notably known for her voice on X-Men: The Animated Series and Nicholas Lea known for his work on X-Files. Will, I'm sure anyone would jump in a chance to star in a John Woo movie but since this was made for television, you are not going to see the typical John Woo magic. No million bullet shots or blood. The movie was definitely thinned out when it came to John Woo's violence. No particular attention to sounds such as the gun clicks but it did have a few usual slow motion scenes that he's known for. Of course, I recommend the 1991 version but those of us who watched this on television were either hardcore John Woo fans, curious or first-time John Woo viewers or someone who had nothing to watch that night. I purchased this DVD because it is lower priced than most DVD's and I'm a John Woo fan. Also, the movie has this "Director's Cut" logo on the top and it's rated R. OK...I may not remember the TV version but what was the director's cut...I don't know. Why this got "Rated R" on it, I don't know because there is hardly any blood. Oh, well...there is violence (ala people shooting at each other) but wasn't that on TV? Maybe that's what was cut from TV...I don't know. The video is pan & scan and the sound is not 5.1 of course. As for the extra's, there are none. Movie factoids...change that to "factoid". Just one page mentioning the cast, directed by John Woo and that's it. Pretty much what you should expect is the typical movie of the night on DVD but in this case, directed by John Woo. You really have to be a John Woo fan to buy this DVD. Otherwise, this DVD is not recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Watch the original
Review: The original movie under the same name was made back in Hong Kong in 1991 staring Chow-Yun-Fat and directed by John Woo. That was a good movie depending on if you can understand the chinese language or you can get it subtitled or dubbed but like always they make the dubbing sound like garbage. Anyway this sorry remake of a good movie has cheap acting and the movie overall itself I just didn't like. If you have seen the original then you may understand what I'm talking about. Its basically a low budget remake to try and bring in extra money. Spend your hard earned money somewhere else.
Rating:
Summary: Watch the original
Review: The original movie under the same name was made back in Hong Kong in 1991 staring Chow-Yun-Fat and directed by John Woo. That was a good movie depending on if you can understand the chinese language or you can get it subtitled or dubbed but like always they make the dubbing sound like garbage. Anyway this sorry remake of a good movie has cheap acting and the movie overall itself I just didn't like. If you have seen the original then you may understand what I'm talking about. Its basically a low budget remake to try and bring in extra money. Spend your hard earned money somewhere else.
Rating: 
Summary: When will they release the whole series on DVD?
Review: They SO need to release the whole TV series on DVD. Hurry up John Woo some of us were disappointed that the series got cancelled!
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining, but not great
Review: This had potential to be a great DVD. Anything with the name John Woo associated is already in line to be a great action film but I couldn't help feeling somewhat let down by this one. The acting was somewhat wooden and although the often great stunts and FX went someway to offset this I felt that the package was lacking. The plot is a somewhat familiar one, two guys, one girl, a Hong Kong based crime syndicate and the action arising from competition for the girl whilst running from a powerful crime gang. Added to this the absence of Dolby Surround or Digital and it is one you can save for a boring afternoon rental from the local video store. It was entertaining but in no way would I say good or great...
Rating: 
Summary: Warring: this film [is bad]
Review: Warring this is not a good film. The screenplay is bad, the acting is bad, and about every thing about this film is bad. John Woo is a good director; this is not a good film. Woo's Hollywood success with BROKEN ARROW and FACE/OFF emboldened FOX TV to remake Woo's Hong Kong action comedy hit ONCE A THIEF (1992) for TV. Wath we got was nothing more then a movie that rips off Woo's (good) Hong Kong films (a little bit of HARD BOILED can be seen in the film) with a no name TV movie stars (like Nicholas Lea) who wood bee better off acting in plays or something like that. This film was also to be a pilot for a TV program it looks like they got the ratings in this film [is bad] (you may know that by now, but I hate this film). The story (if there is one) is set in Hong Kong and then in Vancouver but that is all I wath to put to words, the rest is too dumb (or has been used before in the 92 film). Look for the 1992 film. The video is a "Never before Seen R-rated Director's cut", but there is no blood or nothing in it. A much better Woo U.S.A. made film is HARD TARGET. 1997. TV Film. ??? MINS. Rated R For Violence.
Rating:
Summary: Forgettable.
Review: What do you get when you have John Woo direct a movie in which bloodshed is not allowed, the actors are all terrible Canadian nobodies, and the general feel is that of a TV-show pilot? That's right, you get Blackjack. Well, you also get this weak little remake of his 1989 Hong Kong film, but without Chow Yun-Fat and Jacky Cheung.
Rating: 
Summary: Fun start to an even better series
Review: While I won't call this movie high art, it was a lot of fun to watch. And ignore the...comment. While the show has not yet aired in the States (but will be on many ABC stations next fall), it was turned into a series that was much better, including episodes that satirized everything from Waiting for Godot and the Maltese Falcon to James Bond and X-Files.
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