The Killer

Rating:
Summary: Oh, yeah...stylized violence at its best.
Review: Every Hong Kong fan has their favorite John Woo/Chow Yun-Fat film, and mine is this one. It's quite simply a classic in action movies. Yun-Fat is positively stunning in this film...his physical presence is so dominating and yet cool at the same time, I would put it on the same level as Elvis Presley. That was honestly the comparison I was drawing in my mind when I saw this film for the first time. As with any John Woo movie, those with a low tolerance for violence should stay away...FAR away. The action, the cinematography, the editing, it's all first-rate. Great stuff, Hong Kong action at its bullet-riddled apex. Let's hope that John Woo gets Yun-fat and John Travolta together...that just might be the ultimate action movie.

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Summary: Chow's the best
Review: This movie is worth to watch just by seeing how many reviews have been submitted. It is one of his best. Chow is so good that the only reason his movies can be bad is if the directing, translation, or the story itself is bad. None of the Hollywood films he did do him justice. Fortunately, everything fell in place with "The Killer". However, I didn't think much of it when I first saw it, which was dubbed in English. The best way to see this movie is to see it in Chinese with English subtitles, even if you read Chinese, because I think the English subtitles are better than the Chinese one. Other good movies starring Chow are "Once a Thief" and "A Better Tomorrow - I". If you want to see a Chow in a comedy, "God of Gambles - I" shows that he is a versatile actor, although it will all depend on whether the english subtitles are good or not.

Rating:
Summary: Poetry in motion
Review: I didn't really respect John Woo's work until I had to watch this in an intro film class. Now I'm hooked. The movies he made in Hong Kong are without equal. What prompted me to write this review was that it seems that the widescreen VHS subtitled in english has a different translation than the first version I saw. On the 35 mm print, the lead character was named Jeff, but he is called John on the VHS. Also, instead of Mickey Mouse and Dumbo, the nicknames on the VHS are Butthead and Numb-nuts. I don't know if this helps anyone (because I have no idea where to find the original translation) but I figured I'd throw it out there.

Rating:
Summary: My favorite John Woo film to date
Review: Most people watch movies that they've never heard of by casually glancing the cover. However, for action flicks especially, people shouldn't "judge a book by its cover." Most of the time action movies are pure action, but The killer gracefully blends drama with high adrenaline action scenes.

Love, friendship, betrayal, and of course, shoot out scenes are all here with a taste of the eastern culture. This culture is seen from the very beginning to the very end. Woo's english movies are great, but are missing the flavor in order to gear the movie toward american audiences.

Rating:
Summary: Help me please.
Review: I saw this movie a couple years ago. My father had rented the movie and I scoffed at it thinking, "its just another one of those cheesy hong kong shooter movies." I was dead wrong. To this day I still can remember how much of an experience it was to watch this movie, but alas I just cannot find this movie on DVD. I searched the net engines and just cant find it. If anyone knows where I can buy this movie please email me at [e-mail]. Id really really appreciate it from one "killer" fan to another.

Rating:
Summary: The best Hong Kong film ever
Review: This is Woo's second finest hour, but get the Criterion DVD, as it has Woo talking you through his imagery and symbolism, as well as 5 deleted scenes, one of which is actually interesting and important (and shouldn't have been cut). The only caveat is that picture quality ain't all that great, but it's a small price to pay, frankly. Auctions are your best bet.

Rating:
Summary: John Woo at his best!!
Review: A perfect blend of action and story. The Killer is John Woo's best movie. The gun fights are done better than ever. It's kind of like dancing while pasting someone's guts on the wall. If you don't get this one and your a John Woo fan than you should be drug out into the street and shot. So buy, care for it, and well watch it.

Rating:
Summary: Definately John Woo's Best.
Review: A must see for any action movie fan. I just pray I never bear witness to the english-dubbed version. I just don't think that whole "Mickey Mouse, Dumbo thing" will work in the english language!

Rating:
Summary: Awesome BUT
Review: Beware the dubbed version!!!!! Make sure you get the subtitled version, as the dubbed one cuts out OVER HALF of the action. Trust me, I have seen both versions.

Rating:
Summary: THIS MOVIE IS THE MUTTS NUTS!!!!
Review: The Killer...What can I say? This is probably Chow Yun Fat's AND John Woo's greatest movie. I was just wondering though if anyone knows where I can get hold of the Criterion edition. It would be much appreciated as I am a BIG BIG fan of both Chow and Woo.