"I always save one bullet . . ."
". . . either for myself or for my enemy."
Another one of my favorite movies is being remade. This time though . . . not really sure if I am for or against it. The movie?
John Woo Producing a Remake of His 1989 Film, The Killer
The Killer was a gateway drug for me. For the longest time, Hong Kong cinema was nothing but those "chop-sockys" that I watched on "Black Belt Theatre" when I was young. I liked them, but they were far from high cinema.
One day back in the early 90s, my friend Mike and I, while we were browsing thru "Japanimation Comics" in South Philly, came across this bootleg tape for sale that said "John Woo - The Killer" and "Highly Recommended!" and decided to take the recommendation. We weren't expecting a whole lot. Maybe we even thought we'd be in for another crazy "chop-socky" that we watched in our youth. There was no way we were prepared for what we were then about to watch.
It was as over the top with action as the best "chop-socky" we had seen, but using guns instead of Kung Fu. Yet, it was balanced by the deep characters and inter-personal relationships, particularly between the titular killer and the cop trying to catch him. We were amazed to say the least.
So after that we sought out more films by the director John Woo and the star Chow Yun-Fat. John Woo quickly became one of my favorite directors with Yun-Fat becoming a favorite actor. Of course, they both made their ways to Hollywood; fleeing Hong Kong prior to the 1997 Handover, but even so, our interest in Hong Kong cinema (beyond those "chop-sockys" of yore) was ignited thanks to them. And we enjoyed films from directors such as Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam, Corey Yuen, etc. and from actors/actresses like Tony Leung, Anthony Wong, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Jet Li, Moon Lee, Amy Yip, etc.
you can guess the kinds shopping sprees I went on the four times that I visited Hong Kong
Even though the movie means that much to me, I'm not so certain that this movie needs to be left alone. Sure it's a classic and should stand on its own, but it's a great story that deserves to be retold to a new audience. There's also the likelihood that this remake would garner interest in the original (thus giving more exposure to John Woo's and Chow Yun-Fat's films.)
The remake does have John Woo producing it, so there's that in its favor.
But the remake won't have Chow Yun-Fat in the leading role--and that is a HUGE minus.
Then there's the matter of 3D. It better be shot in 3D, and not post-converted. And please . . . lay off the CG. The original didn't need it, neither should a big budgeted remake.
Another one of my favorite movies is being remade. This time though . . . not really sure if I am for or against it. The movie?
Click to viewJohn Woo Producing a Remake of His 1989 Film, The Killer
The Killer was a gateway drug for me. For the longest time, Hong Kong cinema was nothing but those "chop-sockys" that I watched on "Black Belt Theatre" when I was young. I liked them, but they were far from high cinema.
One day back in the early 90s, my friend Mike and I, while we were browsing thru "Japanimation Comics" in South Philly, came across this bootleg tape for sale that said "John Woo - The Killer" and "Highly Recommended!" and decided to take the recommendation. We weren't expecting a whole lot. Maybe we even thought we'd be in for another crazy "chop-socky" that we watched in our youth. There was no way we were prepared for what we were then about to watch.
It was as over the top with action as the best "chop-socky" we had seen, but using guns instead of Kung Fu. Yet, it was balanced by the deep characters and inter-personal relationships, particularly between the titular killer and the cop trying to catch him. We were amazed to say the least.
So after that we sought out more films by the director John Woo and the star Chow Yun-Fat. John Woo quickly became one of my favorite directors with Yun-Fat becoming a favorite actor. Of course, they both made their ways to Hollywood; fleeing Hong Kong prior to the 1997 Handover, but even so, our interest in Hong Kong cinema (beyond those "chop-sockys" of yore) was ignited thanks to them. And we enjoyed films from directors such as Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam, Corey Yuen, etc. and from actors/actresses like Tony Leung, Anthony Wong, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Jet Li, Moon Lee, Amy Yip, etc.
you can guess the kinds shopping sprees I went on the four times that I visited Hong Kong
Even though the movie means that much to me, I'm not so certain that this movie needs to be left alone. Sure it's a classic and should stand on its own, but it's a great story that deserves to be retold to a new audience. There's also the likelihood that this remake would garner interest in the original (thus giving more exposure to John Woo's and Chow Yun-Fat's films.)
The remake does have John Woo producing it, so there's that in its favor.
But the remake won't have Chow Yun-Fat in the leading role--and that is a HUGE minus.
Then there's the matter of 3D. It better be shot in 3D, and not post-converted. And please . . . lay off the CG. The original didn't need it, neither should a big budgeted remake.