In some sense it's hard to review this movie if you dissect it in terms of realism and story. Many Woo fans will be offended by that statement, but it's true. The film's story is contrived, hilariously cliched, fraught with awkward dialogue, and just generally ridiculous. But it is, admirably so, complex, stylish and very involving. So, if you can accept some of the awkwardness of the film and its incredibly forward sentimentality as part of its style (not attempt at realism), then we're off to a good start. Because John Woo's "The Killer," even though it was made over a decade ago, stands up to the action movies made nowadays. It's bloody (in a "Desperado" type way), it's stylish (in a way that Woo has not repeated in his American films), and it grows on you. It is, in some sense, an action masterpiece. Towards the end, even if the main characters' relationships the product of strange, if not implausible plot-twists, you don't want to part with them. Maybe even want them to stick around on screen so they can brutally murder a few dozen more bad guys in ways that get your adrenaline going. Maybe. Needless to say, I really liked The Killer, and I must say that aside from some of the cars that appear in the film, it has aged really well (meaning hardly at all). It's slaughter done in good taste.
Review of The Killer
