Review of Hard Boiled (1992) by Adam K — 10 Aug 2012
Whilst 'The Killer' may overshadow 'Hard Boiled', the film still punches its audience right in the chest, pulls them by the lapels into the story, and then doesn't let go until the very end.
Powerful and punchy, whilst 'The Killer' is the best of action films, the title for best action sequences ever, with extremely close competition from 'Seven Samurai' must go to this wonderful piece of cinema.
Chow Yun Fat returns with Woo, this time as a cop, who following the death of his partner, wants revenge on the Triad gang who killed him. He teams up with Tony Leung, in his best screen role, apart from 'Bullet in the Head', an undercover cop who is more in tune with the Triads than his police allegiance.
'Hard Boiled' doesn't pretend to be a deep journey into certain themes, or a mysterious suspense story. It is an action film through and through with all the usual heroic bloodshed ideas and tone. But it still explodes like fireworks and is a great film to watch.
Hollywood should sulk in shame at their level of action, compared to this import from the Hong Kong masters John Woo and Chow Yun Fat. Brilliant, stylised as always, brutal as always, honest as always, 'Hard Boiled' is a racing and bold affair.
This review of Hard Boiled (1992) was written by Adam K on 10 Aug 2012.
Hard Boiled has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
