Customer Reviews

The Replacement Killers (Unrated Extended Cut) [Import]

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

wow.if you like relentless fast and furious action and stunts that
completely throw any semblance of believability out the window,this is
your movie.if you're really good at suspending your disbelief,you'll
probably like this movie.personally, think there's only so much the
human mind can accept,and for me,this movie far exceeds that limit.as
in another movie i reviewed,it would have been better if the characters
were all dressed in matching red capes and blue underwear.i also think
more bullets were used in this movie than were actually even
made.again,that's not to say that this is a bad movie.it's just that it
could have been so much better.after awhile,when moviegoers are
bombarded by wall to wall action and stunts that defy reality,they
become desensitized and are no longer impressed with such things.people
are smarter than filmmakers and studios think they are.anyway,i give
"The replacement Killers" a 3/5

I have no idea how I first saw the movie, but I bought the video soon after. It has a great look. It's very sharp. It's in the tradition of the of unknown/unexpected heros coming along and taking care of the bad guys; so you don't need this big old character development. It has a great sort of mystical quality to it.

I've watched it many times and like it better each time I see it.

the chemistry between the two leads is a treat and the stunts are super with Cow Yun Dat tearing up the asphalt and burning down the hitmen. though it runs out of fumes for a while then picks up with great gunplay and suspense. Antoine Fuqua's first feature film(you may know him as a music video director, or his other films like Training Day, Bait and Tears Of The Sun).

In reading reviews for Chow-Yun Fat's first American movie, The Replacement Killers, it seems people either really liked it or really hated it. I, myself, really loved the movie.

The story centers on John Lee (Chow Yun-Fat), a hitman who fails to carry out a contract for moral reason, and soon finds himself and his family targets by the mob that hired him. In an effort to save his family, he goes to Meg Coburn (Mira Sorvino), a specialist in making forged documents, to hire her to make him a passport so he can get back to China and protect his family from the vengeful wrath of an Asian mafia. She soon becomes entangled in the war between John and his former employers. In the meantime, other assassins are brought in, the replacement killers, to finish what John couldn't, and to also kill John for his failure.

Some have complained that the movie is too short, but I would say it's tight. How many times have you watched a movie and thought the movie could have been shorter? So many times I have thought certain scenes in movies serve no other purpose other than to pad out the run time. This is a lean movie (87 mins) with lots of action. The pacing was such that it didn't allow for a lot of character development, but I felt there was enough to drive the story. I think Antoine Fuqua did an excellent job directing this movie, keeping the focus on the action rather than getting mired in useless details.

Some have criticized Mira Sorvino's character and her change of heart in the movie, saying that it was unrealistic. Well, I thought the whole movie was unrealistic, but I was just along for the ride. Did that element hurt the movie? I didn't think so...unrealistic? Maybe, but how many HK actions movies have you seen where something comes out of left field, like a main character changing allegiances? She did speak of how sometimes it was necessary to do the right thing, doing that one good think to make up for all the bad things. Most movies require a suspension of disbelief, and some require more than others. If you really want pick on a character that acted unrealistically, look at Kogan, played by Jurgen Prochnow. He appeared to be a high ranking member in the Asian mob after John but in a few scenes we see him involved in doing rather menial tasks better assigned to henchmen. His boss, Terrence Wei (Kenneth Tsang), did say something along the lines of taking a more hands on approach after the first failed attempt on John's life, but I think Kogan might have taken it a little too serious. At one point, he was staked out eavesdropping on a cop, trying to get specific information. Didn't seem like he would be so involved at that level of operations, but I let it slide.

Anyway, I had a lot of fun with this movie, and while not substantial in some areas, it certainly delivered with the action. Slick visuals, fast pacing, and lean story come together and work where others have failed. Also, the soundtrack really works well, complimenting the movie nicely, while not overshadowing it.

After refusing to carry out a hit for the Chinese mob, contract-killer-with-a-heart John Lee (Chow Yun Fat) must evade assassins to get out of the country. Fat and co-star Mira Sorvino are fine, but they are trapped in a vapid film whose story is so creaky and clichéd that I could not work up one once of interest in what happened to any of the characters.

Many viewers have acknowledged the superficiality of the story while remaining engrossed by the slick style of its presentation. Everyone cites the obvious influence of the overrated John Woo. He made some good films in Hong Kong but, as evidenced by such Hollywood wastes of celluloid as "Face/Off" and "Mission Impossible 2," even Woo can't do Woo anymore. What is so inherently fascinating about the mix of bright colors, tilted camera angles, and slow motion action that it excuses (or elevates) lazy story-telling and sappy sentimentality? Just curious. Obviously, I'm in the minority on this one. The ratio of helpful reviews for the article will probably be 0 to 100.

This movie was great. Lots of action and cool gun fights. Any fan who loves action movies with lots of shooting. I thought the girl was very hot also. Not much to say about the plot. See it or even better BUY IT!!!!!!!

Chow Yun-Fat makes this movie slick with his style, and Mira Srovino helps out by looking as hot as ever. A fun action flick driected by a refreshing driector, Antoine Fuqua.

The Replacement Killers is a hot action flick with two stars that have automatic chemistry from their first frame together. A must see for Chow Yun-Fat fans and all action fans and an impressive action role for Mira Sorvino. The story is paced well and the action style is new exciting.

This movie is everything I would expect from a Chow Yun Fat movie. It had an okay plot but delivered an awesome amount of cool fight scenes. Mira Sorvino did a good job I thought at playing Chow's unexpected ally. This is definitely a must-have for any action fan.

no great dialogue... no truly compelling bad guys... no fareal sense of a budding romance (chow and mira come off more as a modern day batman and robin, than romeo and juliette)... but this is jus a great all-around movie in the same way that 'new jack city' or 'the outlaw josey wales' was good... you watch it and you get addicted... doesnt always have to be a reason... it jus happens and this one has me hooked!
what it absolutely has goin for it is how it incorporates two of my favorite plot elements: one, being a sense of a higher law/or some sort of affirmation of righteousness ...and two, the hero is jus the stylish [guy] we all wish we could be!