While there is no doubting the technical sophistication of Woo's hyper-kinetic massacres... the most notable aspect of [the film] is the award mix of tongue-in-cheek kitsch and lumbering, macho, male-bonding earnestness in between.

| Jul 27, 2023

The work of a filmmaker operating at the highest level of his abilities.

| Sep 8, 2017

Melodramatic from the start, it finally goes over the top to deliver a solid emotional punch.

| Jul 6, 2010

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Nov 28, 2008

It's as much a doomed romance as a shoot-'em-up.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Mar 1, 2007

A lot of claims have been made for this campy bloodbath concerto by Hong Kong director John Woo, and I must admit that he's even better than Brian De Palma at delivering emotional and visceral excess with staccato relentlessness.

| Mar 1, 2007

The director repeatedly places the viewer at the center of the crossfire and turns the gyrating camera into the next best thing to a lethal weapon.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 11, 2006

The most dementedly elegiac thriller you've ever seen.

| Feb 9, 2006

This is a rush of a movie.

| Jan 1, 2000

This latest example of the irrepressible and amazing filmmaking that's been going on in Hong Kong is the best yet.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jan 1, 2000