jadavix
Johnnie To carved out a niche for himself as an action director with stylistic flair, humour, and a penchant for plots that become incomprehensible during the movie's second half.Sometimes these ingredients are just right, as with his wonderful late '90s film "The Longest Nite". Other times the incomprehensible plot undercuts the film's impact, as with "The Mission" and "Running Out of Time". And finally, sometimes the movie's style is the clincher.Such is the case with "Fulltime Killer". Don't get me wrong, it's still a deliriously entertaining movie, but it is truly style over substance, which may or may not be a bad thing from your perspective.The plot is sillier than most of To's works: it involves two hired killers, one Japanese, the other Cantonese, who are out for each other's blood. There is a girl who comes between them, and the Cantonese assassin takes her under his wing. She doesn't seem at all put off by his profession and is firing high-powered sniper rifles in record time. Not bad for a video store employee.There is also a cop out to catch one or both of our anti-heroes. He is played by none other than Simon Yam. Does Yam always play cops in these movies? This movie doesn't get as confusing as most of To's fare. The script feels more like an excuse for style, which is has by the bucket-load. There are even shoot outs which are closer to Woo's "Hard-Boiled" than they are to To's generally more static gun fights."Fulltime Killer" is the kind of movie that you'll probably enjoy very much while it's on, but won't think about it much afterwards. And that may be the point.
Doom09
Rarely do i watch a foreign action movie that has the quality of this one. I have never actually posted to this sight before but I found this movie to be so excellent that I thought I would. Some might liken this to other assassin vs assassin movies but i disagree. This movie is so much more in depth in the story line you forget that it has subtitles. Others have commented on how well it flows from one language to another. I didn't notice since I was so involved. Great action - not a Michael Bay action fest but enough to keep you interested and then some. Great plot, nothing unique yet was done with such style and pizazz that you thought you were getting something original. Great ending, not going to give any spoilers but I was very pleased.
Russell Brisson
I'd heard good things going into this one, but it exceeded my expectations to say the least.The movie just works. A great cast, for starters. Andy Lau steals the show, and is easily one of the most charismatic characters in cinema in recent years period. Kelly Lin is quietly beautiful and adds a lot to this movie, a down to earth aspect that many similar flicks are missing. Sorimachi is strong throughout, and Yam is used to great effect, more so as the movie rolls on.It all looks great to boot, a little too good at times. The movie gets a little bit too glamorous for it's own good, too... Hollywood would be a good way to put it. A few unneeded CGI sequences marred it all just a little bit. I don't think the mask parts were needed either. Plenty of other ways to highlight Tok's love for pop culture, the Metal Slug reference for example... All it was was a few second verbal reference and it had me smiling.Very cohesive as well. It's got direction and it maintains it the entire 100 plus minutes of the film, which is a nice departure from the disjointed mess I've seen so many films become.The guns almost completely sound like they're being fired underwater as well. Quite dull. Just a little quibble.An amazing movie on the whole though, it had me enthralled every step of the way, and I'd be content for the rest of my move going days if I could simply see a few films like this a year. Can't recommend it enough.An extremely strong 8.5. Maybe even a 9. Go and see it now!
adrenalinbody
This is one of the most amazing and inspiring films i have ever seen. It isn't too often i watch a film and can hardly wait to watch it again the next day. The main characters go together so will with an amazing rappor, the story is outstanding, the amount of action is enormous and when the bullets hit you can almost feel it yourself. Also there is a scene with a train that you won't believe. I won't spoil the plot but GO AND SEE THE FILM RIGHT NOW, THATS IT GET UP RIGHT NOW AND RUN LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON IT TOO YOUR LOCAL VID SHOP. BETTER YET DON'T MOVE AND ORDER IT RIGHT NOW FROM THE NET. BELIEVE ME, YOU WON'T REGRET IT!
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