|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hitman
|
|
|
|
|
review | notes | awards | availability | |
Jet Li brings out the belt |
|
|
Year: |
1998 |
|
|
Director: |
Stephen
Tung Wai |
|
|
Producer: |
Gordon
Chan Car-Seung |
|
|
Writer: |
Chan
Hing-Kai,
Vincent Kok Tak-Chiu |
|
|
Cast: |
Jet
Li Lian-Jie, Eric
Tsang Chi-Wai, Simon
Yam Tat-Wah, Gigi
Leung Wing-Kei, Ng
Chi-Hung, John Ching
Tung |
|
|
The
Skinny: |
Uncharacteristically
low-key for a Jet Li film, this action-comedy still manages
to entertain and even charm with its action and sense of humor.
The action sequences aren't bad, either. |
|
|
Review
by Kozo: |
Jet
Li’s latest is a curious film. It’s an action comedy about
Fu (Jet), an ex-soldier who gets hired by a low-rent triad
(Eric Tsang) to chase a $100 million dollar hit: to kill the
King of Assassins, who was responsible for the murder of a
powerful Japanese crimelord. Thing is, everyone and their
brother is after the reward, including the Japanese guy’s
son, who’s damn intent on getting that 100 million for himself.
Fu seems to have the ability to get
the job done, but he’s too damn nice, which is a perfect fit
for Jet Li the actor. This is actually the best character
Jet Li has played in a while, eschewing his humorless acting
for a gentler personality. This film effectively dodges the
previously inescapable Jet Li bullet: no personality. Eric
Tsang and Jet Li make a good team, with Tsang edging Li in
the acting department. However, Li isn’t too bad, and we hear
his real voice for the first time.
Gigi Leung shows up as Tsang’s daughter,
a budding lawyer who takes a small shine to Fu. As always,
she’s incredibly cute but she doesn’t do all that much. Simon
Yam is on board as the cop intent on catching all the hitmen
entering HK. There are some good action sequences that are
weighed down by a sometimes confusing and slow plot. But,
this film has a definite HK charm that it deserves credit
for. This isn’t a thrill-a-minute exercise, but it’s quite
worthwhile, especially for the chemistry between the actors. (Kozo
1998) |
|
|
Notes: |
•
In 2002, Hitman was hijacked to the United States by
Columbia/Tri-Star, who went the Disney route and cut, dubbed
and retitled the film Contract Killer. |
|
|
Awards: |
18th
Annual Hong Kong Film Awards
• Nomination - Best Action Design (Stephen
Tung Wai) |
|
|
Availability: |
DVD
(Hong Kong)
Region 0 NTSC
Mei Ah Entertainment
16x9 Anamorphic Widescreen
Cantonese and Mandarin Language Tracks
Dolby Digital 5.1 / DTS 5.1
Removable English and Chinese subtitles |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
image courtesy
of Mei Ah Laser Disc Co., Ltd.
|
|
| back
to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| LoveHKFilm.com
Copyright ©2002-2008 Ross Chen |
|
|
