Directed by John Woo and Wu Ma, this is an almost dream-like actioner with an over-the-top, operatic tone. Several passages -- the shoot-out at the gas station, the final assault on the house, the funeral -- are beautifully staged and possess an emotional resonance not always plentiful in exhibits of this genre.
The score, by regular Woo collaborators Romeo Diaz and James Wong (who also composed the devastating "Bullet in the Head" score) is truly one of the best and most moving of any Hong Kong film. Its more emotional cues -- the funeral, David Chaing's return from overseas, a reunion by the bay -- are piercingly effective and testament to the great talents of this highly underrated composing team.
The action scenes, which are not as elaborate as prior or later Woo works, are quiet stagey, but the final shoot-out in the house, where the participants play a weird game of cat and mouse, and where Woo's "A Better Tomorrow 1" is aped, is bloody and impressive.
The plotting is complex and the role of the women characters is vital to the drama. There is a heavy emphasis on character motivation throughout the entire affair, and a sense of fatalism permeates the film's gangster politics.
The film features Stephen Chow's acting debut (in a non-comedy role) and serves as a faux Shaw reunion with guest spots from Danny Lee, Ti Leung, Chiang and others.
The original trailer featured a graphic shot in which David Chiang slides across a warehouse floor and pumps lead into a hapless gunman. This, unfortunately, did not make the release cut.
Very highly recommended. An undiscovered classic.
The score, by regular Woo collaborators Romeo Diaz and James Wong (who also composed the devastating "Bullet in the Head" score) is truly one of the best and most moving of any Hong Kong film. Its more emotional cues -- the funeral, David Chaing's return from overseas, a reunion by the bay -- are piercingly effective and testament to the great talents of this highly underrated composing team.
The action scenes, which are not as elaborate as prior or later Woo works, are quiet stagey, but the final shoot-out in the house, where the participants play a weird game of cat and mouse, and where Woo's "A Better Tomorrow 1" is aped, is bloody and impressive.
The plotting is complex and the role of the women characters is vital to the drama. There is a heavy emphasis on character motivation throughout the entire affair, and a sense of fatalism permeates the film's gangster politics.
The film features Stephen Chow's acting debut (in a non-comedy role) and serves as a faux Shaw reunion with guest spots from Danny Lee, Ti Leung, Chiang and others.
The original trailer featured a graphic shot in which David Chiang slides across a warehouse floor and pumps lead into a hapless gunman. This, unfortunately, did not make the release cut.
Very highly recommended. An undiscovered classic.