The Killer (R)

“The Killer” is a tale of friendship, blurred moral lines, revenge, guilt, and lots and lots of bullets. This 1989 Hong Kong action thriller revolves around top-notch assassin Ah Jong (played by the iconic Chow Yun Fat). When he accidentally blinds beautiful singer Jennie (Sally Yeh) in a shootout, he decides to retire after one last job to pay for Jennie’s eye surgery. But when Ah Jong becomes the target of police detective Li Ying (Danny Lee), things become complicated. Foot chases, car chases, stand-offs, and massively epic shoot-outs are present all throughout this intense action classic.

Directed by John Woo, one of the preeminent directors of Hong Kong cinema, the film is full of stylized violence and ‘bullet ballet.’ While Western audiences are likely more familiar with Woo films like “Mission: Impossible II” and “Face/Off,” his Hong Kong action films are masterpieces. While my personal favourite is definitely “Hard Boiled” (the long take in the hospital is one of the best action scenes ever filmed), “The Killer” is still an excellent action film and one of Woo’s best. 

Woo is known for his symbolic imagery and his over-the-top action scenes, both of which are present all throughout “The Killer.” Woo has had such an influence on stylistic violence in film that we may now find it cliché to see a hero sliding across the floor on his back while firing double pistols in slow motion. However, back in 1989, Woo was creating these tropes. His stylistic take on violence has inspired countless action films and directors, including Quentin Tarantino.

While some of Woo’s trademarks may seem a little melodramatic today (one scene includes a bloody shoot-out in a church filled with doves and candles), that’s part of what makes “The Killer” so enjoyable to watch. It walks the line between action and drama, showing Ah Jung silhouetted against the sea as he reflects on his conflicted path. There are heavy metaphorical and symbolic elements throughout, as Woo puts as much emphasis on the internal conflicts as on the external ones. 

Last year, it was announced that Woo is remaking this action classic, this time starring Lupita Nyong’o as the assassin. Even though the cool charisma of Chow Yun Fat is one of the best parts of “The Killer,” the idea to gender-swap the main character is brilliant, as one of my main problems with the original film is how weak of a character Jennie is. As the only female character, Jennie’s role is to be frightened and call for help from Ah Jong. Seeing Nyong’o as the assassin will definitely bring a new element to the film and help the remake to stand apart from the 1989 original.

In summary, if you are looking for a stylized and dramatic action film that is full of intense shoot-outs, John Woo’s “The Killer” is the film for you.