So Close

Rating:
Summary: Suberb
Review: I brought this disk because it was recommended by people who brought "Returner" (another excellent movie). I started watching it in English language and very quickly got anoyed with the mis-matched voices, so swapped it back to it's original language with English subtitles. This made the whole thing fit better. This is a classic HK police drama and has an excellent story, albeit a formula one, and some amazing action scenes. For me the best scene is the opener, I loved the music (Karen Carpenter - Close to you) mixed to the background of the office shootout! If you are a fan of HK action/drama movies then you won't be disappointed with this one.

Rating:
Summary: Not Charlie's Angels
Review: I dont know why people say this is like Charlie's Angels...not in ANY way?!?!? The film is a fun romp and has some INCREDIBLE action stunts, martial arts and swordplay. The film has its slow moments but in general its a fairly good film. The ending is also VERY good and well done!

Rating:
Summary: This eye candy is a definite TEN!
Review: I had very little expectations when my brother-inlaw asked me to watch this DVD with him. I have been watching Hong Kong produced action films since the 70's and I thought here we go again with wall-to-wall fighting, marginal cinematography, bad dubbing and cheesey soundtrack. To say I was pleasantly surprised at what a great show this one turned out to be is a total understatement.

Many would complain that the plot is on the weak side. I certainly agree that the screenplay is not going to win any major accolades, but for the genre which normally has little or no plot, this one is logical and relatively easy to follow. It even has a sad twist which might cause a few tears to be shed.
Where this film really shines though is in its presentation. The modern sets, the brilliantly choreographed fighting sequences and the wonderfully executed yet not overdone special effects give this film an ultra-slick and ultra-chique look. The female leads are drop dead gorgeous. They exude abundant sex-appeal even though they are not sexually exploited to any extent in the film. The plot line and action is well paced and should keep audience glued to their seats.

This review would not be complete without a mention of the sound track. The inclusion of the 1970 Carpenters' megahit "Close to You" has been much maligned by a number of reviewers. I personally think the use of this song in the opening fighting scene is nothing short of absolute brilliance. The slow, soulful strains of the ballad is such an antithesis to the fast paced fighting action on the screen that the brilliant combination of the two gives these sequences an almost surreal quality. The viewer feels a sudden sense of detachment from the action and the effect is very powerful indeed. The rest of the soundtrack is well selected and complements the scenes very well. I am extremely glad that the film scorer did not include too much ear screeching heavy metal clips which are so prevalent in this genre of film. Kudos to him (or her)!!!

Lastly, this film has most commonly been compared to Charlie Angels I and II mostly because of the coincidental presence of three female leads in this film. Even though So Close handily beats both the Angels films , a much more worthy comparison would be with the Tarantino film "Kill Bill I". Without exagerration, So Close gives Kill Bill more than its run for its money.

For those who haven't seen it, buy the DVD now for your collection. You will not regret it! This eye candy is a definite TEN!!!


Rating:
Summary: Cheesy and lot's of fun
Review: I just rented this movie and it was awesome. The chicks are HOT!!! Especially the sisters. Yeah it was cheesy, but just turn your brain off, make some popcorn, and enjoy the cheesy goodness. Mmm...mmm...good!!!

Rating:
Summary: Surpisingly Cool
Review: I sat through Corey Yuen's The Transporter because Jason Statham was so cool in Guy Ritchie's films. While viewing that, I was captivated by Qi Shu, which is probably not too difficult to comprehend after seeing her. On that note, when I found this movie selling for $10, I picked it up.

I really wasnt expecting much, other than beautiful women and some wire-fu.

However, I had a fabulous time watching this. For what this film lacks in originality, it makes up for in visual entertainment and style. Granted, even the style seems greatly influenced by John Woo, Yuen Wo Ping, Luc Besson, and Hollywood, but regardless it was such a cool viewing experience.

The filming locations are great, the CGI is cool (a little too much in some scenes, but overall well done), the wire-fu didnt irritate me too much, and the charisma of the acting talent was breathtaking. Im also a guy, and Asian, so Im sure the fact that they are beautiful Asian women kept my attention, but they still packed some serious Asian flair. Furthermore, there was very little exposed flesh, but the facial features and the hair, not to mention the outfits (and the women themselves), were simply stunning. I also enjoyed how one of the villains was the gent from Jet Li's Fist of Legend. He was very cool in that film, and was equally enthralling here.

The basic plot itself is nothing award winning, but the few twists and turns really helped it. The soundtrack was pretty good, and fit into the slow motion scenes well. I had just finished watching an episode of The Simpsons where Marge buys the musical doorbell playing "Close to You", so when the song came on it threw me for a laugh, but it was a nice sharp contrast to the action on-screen. Both the sword fighting scenes and the John Woo gunslinging were entertaining, but the parking lot fight scene was fabulous.

I am really proud of myself for investing money into this film. Its definitely lots of eye candy, but theres nothing wrong with that. Oddly enough, I ended up being more captivated by Vicki Zhao than Qi Shu. Whenever she gave that slightly angled look at the camera it made me sit a little closer to the TV.

But anyway, this is a great action flick, fitted with girls kicking some serious butt, some pretty cool cinematography, good fight scenes, and a very high entertainment value.

Rating:
Summary: Rather Unuiqe
Review: I wanted to see this film ever since I got it, cuz it had asian girls in it, and I love asain girls. I kept hoing it didn't have a feel to it like Charlie's angels did, but I was glad, because this movie would have easily slashed up charlie's angels in a catfight.

This movie is about Lynn, played by the beautiful Shu Qi, and her sister Sue(Zhao Wei) who own a big business after their parents got murdered and they inherited it. They become big contract killers, and eleimiate a bigtime computer owner, and are on the run. But undercover officer Hong(Karen Mok)ain't gonna even dream of letting them off the fish hook one bit.

The action in this movie is over the top, but face it, the only other movie that has chicks kickin' this much @$$ is kill bill(Altho kill bill wasn't convincing, just bloody) The gunfight sceenes are some of the best I've seen this year, and the swordfights are friggin' awsome.

The only thing that pissed me off was what happened 7/11 through the film. Something like that should be illegal worldwide! It was just plain wrong, BUT, but it was one of the few sceenes in any movie that, just made me wish SOMETHING could be done about it, usally I'd say /// it, but not this time.

Either way this movie is better more action packed, and mature than Charlie's Angels, and this movie packs a nice amount of violence to keep action fans satisfied, and enough wemon to go round. If you love action flicks, and think this is another Charlie's Angel's I should slap you back and fourth. Cuz this is just one of those rare gems that come by. And at the end it had a little bit of sensuality, only a little, but it was pretty cool.

Peace


Rating:
Summary: HeLL!!! VerY DamN close
Review: I was blown away by the movie. My girlfriend and i saw it together one day, she recomended it. At first, I was thinking "man it's another chick flick, with retarded girls throwing punches back and forth", but then after the first sequence I changed my view completely, I now have more respect for Hong Kong Screenplay writters and Directors.
The Plot and sub-plot were carried out so well, props for the writter. The drama part of the movie made my girlfriend near the end, man it got to me too at a certain point the flashback part.
But anyway, the Action! unlike any other... definatly OUTSTANDING, way better than Charles' Angels. you know what Charles' Angles is no comparison, man the parking lot scene was THE best! Su qi and xiao wei are like a dynamic dual that kick buTT and Karen MOk man... can do anything.
SO CLOSE is a definately a must in your collection. What beats asian chicks fighting in a very unique combination of old shaolin and new street fighting with gun action. Just amazing, on top of that a great plot, and pretty top-notch acting (watch the subtitled if you can't understand chinese, it's way better), oh and last but not least a bit of chick and chick action.

Rating:
Summary: so close was ok
Review: I would say that so close was just an ok movie because there was an adequate amount of action and karen mok has very hot curves. However this movie would have been better if they didn't have the sad dramatic music which was playing thoughout the wholemovie because i find it too be very boring and sad. And i honestly thought that charlies angels full throttle was better since that movie had better music and hotter girls. Anyway my rating for this movie is a 6 out of 10.

Rating:
Summary: I was so close to not buying it.........but I'm glad I did!
Review: I'm a movie addict who's been getting tired of the same old Hollywood crap, so I decided to try some cool looking asian films. Take it from me, it's a refreshing experience. I saw the "So Close" trailer on the "Returner" DVD, & I wrongly assumed it would be a cheesy movie with girls, guns & Karate. I was so wrong! This has officially become one of my new favorite flicks! Hot chicks(but not TRYING to be hot) - Excellent Action (Best sword fight in recent history) - with a good P L O T! Try that Hollywood! And whoever the idiot was who gave this film ONE Star because you didnt like the music, You are a PUTZ! You should be banned from watching DVD's for the rest of your life! To everyone else who enjoys action, good storytelling, beautiful women, and appreciates the beauty of martial arts, buy this movie, its a great time!

Rating:
Summary: Sexy Action!
Review: I'm not one for long reviews but if your a fan of Hong Kong action you will love "So Close"! Fantastic "Gun Fu" and Hand to Hand Combat!There's some pretty serious drama too,But the showdown finale is one of the best that I've ever seen!! I hope Cory Yuen makes "Transporter 2" and incorporates some of the things I've seen in this film.This should be in your collection if you really appreciate the art.