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Summary: An Asian Pearl.
Review: This is a charming,yet wacky love story. Brigitte Lin gives a great performance as an obsessive, compulsive Hong Kong gen. X'er. And she sings a Cranberries song on the soundtrack. In Chinese!
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Summary: Absolutely One Of The Best Films In The Past Ten Years
Review: Chungking Express was nothing less than fantastic. I was originally hesistant about viewing this film, but after seeing it was throughly impressed. Wang kar-wai directs this stunning masterpiece set in the busy streets of Hong Kong. It is clear that many directors since have tried to use interlocking stories unsuccessfully. The cinematagraphy was great; it puts you right in the middle of action, and lets you feel like for that period you are there. Also, both Brigitte Lin and Faye Wang were incredible. Brigitte Lin would be expected to turn out a great performance, but newcomer Faye Wang turned in the best performance of the movie. After seeing this film I guarantee you will be "hungry" for more of Wang kar-wai's work. Also, of note, Faye Wang sings the theme song "Dreams" in cantonese that fits everything together perfectly. THIS IS A DEFINITE MUST SEE! ONE OF THE BEST!
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Summary: A magical tapestry of two bizarre tales of love and romance
Review: Blending French New Wave with modern filmmaking tapestries, from the director of Fallen Angels and the epic saga Ashes of Time, Chungking Express is the tale of two police officers finding love in the places and the people they would never have dreamed possible. Tony Leung delivers a powerful performance in the second story opposite pop music sensation Faye Wong who lights up the screen in an unforgettable appearance. With mindblowing cinematography and astounding performances it blends classic Godard with all the magic and charm of modern asian cinema. One of the most beautiful, heartwarming films ever made.
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Summary: A refreshing change in Hong Kong cinema
Review: Today when anyone mentions Hong Kong cinema, names like John Woo or Jackie Chan come to mind. However many fail to realize all the brilliance that Chinese cinema has graced us with. One of the lesser known, until now, being Wong Kar-wai's fourth film CHUNGKING EXPRESS, a well made look at the ecstatic underside of Hong Kong. Although this film does exhibit all the energy and humor of a John Woo film, one can not (or should not) ignore the fact that this film does mirror the new wave style of the French, in particular the style of Godard. Many of Kar-wai's new wave techniques are obvious upon watching. For example his eloborate use of camera movement indoors in contrast to the tightness of camera movement outside; a technique quite recognizable from Godard's BREATHLESS. However the most delightful is Kar-wai's use of the films soundtrack to dictate the character's personas as well as entire scenes. Each of the leading female characters establishes a recognizable song early on in the film that denotes their character and personality, so later whenever that song is played in advance the audience can predict something important involving that character is about to occur. These subtle techniques not only show the talent of Kar-wai as a director, but also are refreshing to the audience for it gives some hope and anticipation of what is being offered in Chinese cinema. For those who were convinced that John Woo was the only thing to come out of the Chinese cinema invasion, think again.
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Summary: A great flick for the young at heart
Review: One of my all-time favorites, _Chungking Express_ shines if you remember (with fondness) how much of an idiot you made yourself look/feel in the "mating game." Takeshi Kaneshiro, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Wong Faye and Brigette Lin all deliver great performances (some more subtle than the others, but all are entertaining). It's admittedly a little slow towards the end, but after repeated viewings I don't find it quite as long. If you don't know quite what to make of it, watch it again (if you have the time) and see whether or not it grows on you too. As much as I love this movie, I'd advise you not to take it too seriously (i.e. don't try to deconstruct it frame by frame or compile a list of comparisons to the French New Wave). It'll be more enjoyable that way). If you get a copy released by Miramax, skip Quentin Tarantino's commentary (before and after the film). He trips through his cue cards and b.s.' his way through the rest (Faye Wong, "The Madonna of Mandarin"? Yeah, right) in a painful show of crass self-promotion. Despite a few scenes of violence, this is a good movie to show those who think that all Hong Kong films are purely obsessed with guns and martial arts.
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Summary: Enchantment In Hong Kong
Review: In this intricate romantic tale of frustrated love... Wong Kar Wai paints a vibrant and enchanting picture of Hong Kong and the magical relationship of 4 people and a fast food stand called Midnite Express. Out of the two stories, the second one features Hong Kong/China Pop Diva.. Faye Wong who absolutely steals the whole show..... If you see this movie... you will fall in love with Faye Wong.
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Summary: An interesting and exciting escape from Hollywood narrative
Review: Brought to the US by Quintin Tarantinos Rolling Thunder label, Chungking express will surprise and grip you with its novel, non hollywood narrative style. Presented in a unique experimental style, it's lack of traditional plot doesn't allow you predict what happens next, and you will be entertained by the feeling that you are not only watching something novel, but something really good. Rarely does an experimental film style strike you as radical, but also as so easy to enjoy.
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Summary: One of the Best Ever
Review: CKE is one of the best films ever made! You will fall in love with this movie! Offbeat, different, funny and magical.
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Summary: a visual stunner
Review: i really enjoyed this film. wong kar wai is, in my opinion, one of the best directors working right now. he dares to experiment. his films can be interpreted in more than one way. his film also have moments that i think are perfect. have you talked to a bar of soap lately?
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Summary: One of the best films of the 1990s
Review: "Chungking Express," by director Wong Kar-Wei, is a Hong Kong film about two would-be romantic relationships that don't quite work out, in entertaining and unusual ways. The two stories are separate, each taking up half the film, and are joined only by their slim connection to a food counter named Chungking Express. In the first story, a cop despondent over his recent break-up falls for a drug smuggler scouring Hong Kong for some runaway couriers. Though they don't end up together, they still connect in surprising ways. The cop, who narrates the first half, then bumps into the main character of the second half, narrating: "We were separated by just .01 centimeters. It was the only time we met, and six hours later she fell in love with another man." At that point we roar off into the second story, about a girl at the lunch counter who falls in love with a different cop. Being quirky and indirect, she begins sneaking into his apartment while he's working and cleaning the place, reorganizing his belongings, and so forth. The ending to this tale is a bit more upbeat. "Chungking Express" is an unusual but highly entertaining film. The performances are terrific, the music is great, the storytellng is superb, and the occasional action sequences are handled with great flair. A fun and unusual romantic comedy, definitely for off-beat tastes. If you enjoyed films such as "After Hours" and "Addicted to Love," you should find plenty of great enjoyment in this new-wavish film from Wong Kar-Wei. END
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