ViewGuide

Created Jan 13, 2008 12:23PM PST • Edited Jan 13, 2008 12:23PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Great 4.0

   After a several Asian action films crossing into the US mainstream Infernal Affairs, Hard Boiled, City of Violience. I was actually unaware of Johnny To. I read somplace that he is the Jerry bruckheimer of Asian Cinema. That could bring up negative conotations of over the top action. THIS IS NOT that fil,/ Exled is abrilliant action about the yin and yang of death. The choices we make with friendship f, family, the gang wars. I didnt know what to expect and this film surprised me and It maybe one of my favorite films of 2007.

4. Acting

   Perfect 5.0

   The acting is supurb, it has four man actors and apparantly are part of Johnny tos other films , like Michael Bay using the same people in multiple movies in smaller or bigger parts depanding on the specific film. All characters seemed believeable as the gang of four ala The Wild Bunch.

5. Male Stars Perfect 5.0

   there are 4 eads, all very recognizable faces in Asian cinema. All hold there own

6. Female Stars Perfect 5.0

   Ony one main female star and she has subtlty to her. Shes a strng person in this film.

7. Female Costars Perfect 5.0

   Nne

8. Male Costars Perfect 5.0

   All the secondary characters are as real and faithful to this world as everyone else.

10. Film

    Really Great 4.5

    Opposed to American cinema, throwing tons of money at stars and production value. The rest of the world seems how to get things done for a fraction of the inflated hollywood set piece. I sat in amazement at the well choregraghed action shootouts that could easily rival Heat . its stunning.

11. Direction Really Great 4.5

    Johnny to, maybe my new favorite director,He usues not only the asian themes to make a point, but a point with a bullet, maybe several kills to the head. johnny to may make his american film debut soon, that is if he wants it. It well directed, the pacing works. Everything about this needs to be placed ina cinema not the bottome shelf of a video store

12. Play Really Great 4.5

    Subtitled is the only way to watch this. Watch it with its cantonese dialogue and subtitled in whatever your language is.

13. Music Really Great 4.5

    The music is reminicint ofBlack rain, the wild bunch and every action fil,. the score isn;t available for purchase which i tried to find. but could not.

14. Visuals Really Great 4.5

    The visuals are right on par with any Michael Mann film. The wa the bullet hits showed on film were breathtaking. it may seem comic book esque but it all ame to gether and told this story f 4 friends tryng to save one of there own gang.

15. Content

16. Edge

    Sordid 3.0

    This movie is Violent. Lot of shootouts, chases, war. Its the yakuza going after its own, you could magine how it will become a blood bath. The blood pools come after a bit but when it does its fast and furious.

17. Sex Erotic 3.0

    None

18. Violence Brutal 3.0

    Lots of bloody good fun. Guns, bullets and shootouts. nuff said

19. Rudeness Profane 3.0

    not enough to make a big mention

21. Reality

    Surreal 2.1

    The theme seems natural, but the gun battles are over the top. This can happen in real life but not exactly the way the movie plays out.

22. Circumstantial Surreal 2.1

    No

23. Biological Surreal 2.1

    It tales place in the real world

24. Physical Surreal 2.1

    This is a world based in secrecy. There lives are tough.