X
- 1990
- R
- Circle Films
- 1 h 51 m
- 1990
- R
- Circle Films
- 1 h 51 m
- 1990
- R
- Circle Films
- 1 h 51 m
- 1990
- R
- Circle Films
- 1 h 51 m
The Killer
7.6
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 19 Critic Reviews
82
79% Positive
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
11% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
11% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 19 Critic Reviews
82
79% Positive
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
11% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
11% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
It plays like the work of a filmmaker operating at the highest level of his abilities.
John Woo's trademark style reached its zenith in The Killer, with its ying-yang relationship between a good-hearted hit man and an anti-authority cop. But underneath the Miami Vice tailoring, it's as much a doomed romance as a shoot-'em-up.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 30 User Ratings
7.6
70% Positive
21 Ratings
21 Ratings
20% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
10% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 30 User Ratings
7.6
70% Positive
21 Ratings
21 Ratings
20% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
10% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
Absolute masterpiece that combines brilliant cinematography and visuals, strong characterisation, brutal violence, and a manly, poetic tale that questions deeply the meaning of the words friend, sense of duty, and honour.
This is a movie that deserves to be seen, known, and remembered for the ages. Inspired by brilliant 60's french films like Le Samouraï, it is to cinema what Beethoven's 7th was to music: perhaps not the most well-known of his works, but one of the most radical, expressive, memorable, powerful.
From the genius of his camera to the brilliance of his actors, music, mood, scenes, and the questions it raises that go beyond the artistry and enter philosophy, The Killer is a must-see above all.
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The scenes of gore and destruction are even more spectacular than Hong Kong's fog-shrouded skyline. The director repeatedly places the viewer at the center of the crossfire and turns the gyrating camera into the next best thing to a lethal weapon.
As far as shootouts go, The Killer is an over-the-top success. It's shameless in its excesses - in its filmic allusions, in its camp emotionality, in its frenzied and slo-mo sequences of bullet fire. There are shades of Martin Scorsese and Sam Peckinpah in the artfelt violence, and a direct hit on "Duel in the Sun" as two blinded lovers crawl to each other but miss. Throughout the absurd goings-on, director John Woo's playfulness is hard to resist, and Chow Yun-Fat as the hired killer has an appealing deadpan charisma. [28 June 1991, p.72]
Watching John Woo's The Killer may be like eating popcorn, but it's not just any old brand; it's escape-velocity popcorn, popcorn with a slurp of rocket fuel. Its story is a collision of exuberant pulp, samurai mythology and modern, urban noir.
Long segments of The Killer are devoted to people getting blown away, the bloodbaths played out always with guns. But the highly choreographed action, featuring point-blank shots of writhing victims, takes on a numbing aspect after a while. Reduced to cartoon overkill, it becomes as tedious in its way as carpenters working with nail guns.
Hyperactive, incredibly gory, gratingly sentimental, The Killer is pure cinematic junk food for those who are into blood-and-guts highs.
Brilliance! Along with Hard-Boiled, these are your Hong Kong action movie fix if you haven't seen them. Woo is beyond words.
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That's how you do an action film!Never ending shootouts, two main characters loaded with symbolism and trapped in moral dilemmas, a lot of melodrama, cool synth sounds, car chases, a lot of blood squibs, slow motion, **** tension, more slow motion, and doves. And I probably forgot something. I liked this even better than HARD BOILED. Can't wait to watch the Taiwanese version with some extra 20 mins or so.
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Absolutely incredible gun fight scenes with pretty good story. Must have kinda one.
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For many, "The Killer" is where John Woo finally found his footing as a pioneer or action, cinematic violence and all things "heroic bloodshed" and, while I still think "Hard Boiled" is the real truth, I see a lot to like here . The shootouts are just the bee's knees. I also quite enjoyed the dynamic between Chow Yun-fat and Danny Lee towards the end of the film, with the final set piece representing an easy highlight of the entire experience. For me, though, some of the melodrama was a bit heavy-handed, with all of it building to a conclusion that I felt trended towards "The Mist" in terms of ones that represent a middle finger to the audience.
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Awards
Hong Kong Film Awards
• 2 Wins & 6 Nominations
DVD Exclusive Awards
• 1 Nomination
20/20 Awards
• 1 Nomination
