Customer Reviews

Just Heroes [VHS]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Lost in the shuffle between the BETTER TOMORROW phenomenon and Woo's collosal,rep-cementing THE KILLER,this GODFATHER-ESQUE saga is oft-slighted in Woos'Canon of films,if mentioned at all.And that's too bad.Excellent performances abound from Danny Lee,Chen Kwan Tai,and an intense,early star turn from soon to be goofmiester Stephen Chow. Possibly/Probably because this was a collective acting epic instead of focusing on one or two certain charachters(e.g.Chow Yun-Fat),it's not percieved as accesible as Woo's other films.Strangely,co-directorial credit is given to HK charachter actor Wu Ma but Woo's fingerprints are all over this one.From the brilliant,pre-credit gunfight in blazing daylight to the then-obligatory destroy-all-mansions shootout,Woo's engaging,hypnotic style is clearly evident.Thoroughly enjoyable "heroic Bloodshed" from the man who made it a household name. Don't miss it.

I would really liken this film to the Replacement Killers. Antione Fuqua had a real feel for the Hk style gunfights and editing, but that all has to be backed by good characterizations. This film was much the same way.

Co directed in part by Wu Ma and John Woo (it's obvious Woo didn't write this). The plot concerns itself with the death of a head triad and the internal struggle over who will take over. There are many doublecrosses and scenes of nervous gangsters. But I really couldn't follow the film well. I have watched it twice now and I still can't remember any characters names and the causes of some of their actions.

Overall, the plot is cofusing- VERY confusing. The gunplay sequences are perfectly filmed and show much of the technical skill he later had perfected in Hard boiled. one big problem in the end is a very unfunny sidekick who makes jokes (mostly slapstick uuuggghhh! ).

This film wouldn't be so bad if it had a little more characterization.I believe this movie was co-directed by Wu Ma.A lot of gun play that seems to be missing the spark that most of John Woo's films have.A little overloaded with the male bonding,and plenty of gangsters trying to look cool.All in all,it's rather unipressive,and seems more like a spoof of one of Woo's films.