2024 movies killer Essentially a John Woo reexamination. Although the 1989 version of Chow Yun-fat is missing. that iteration killerthe setting is not France, but China; it is a fast-paced movie.
Hitman 1989 trailer
Hitman 2024 Trailer
In comparison, the 2024 “reprise” of “The Hitman” planned by John Woo himself appears lackluster. A slow beginning, a severely sagging middle and a cold ending all add up to a sad reimagining of his 1989 epic.
I’m not misogynistic
There are no complaints here about the recast of Hitman as a female character. Nathalie Emmanuel holds her own here as Zee. She comes across as deadly as the “Bride” in Bill Bill Volumes 1 and 2. (In other words, there are some changes to the Danny Lee character.)
Sam Worthington plays the Irish coach and I didn’t like him as soon as he opened his mouth.
So despite complaints that the “murderer” was a woman, the movie was a success. It’s just not as good as the original.
Why is it mediocre?
Rhythm doesn’t exist here killer Remake. Chow Yun-fat and Danny Lee’s original was a roller coaster that spiraled out of control. It throws us headlong into one shootout after another.
*The shootout at the beach house consumed 20,000 rounds of ammunition. The final shootout at the church cost twice as much. Provided by IMDb.
John Woo decided to “cancel” the frenetic pace of his 1989 film’s breakthrough success. He truly changed the way Hollywood and the world viewed “shooters.” John Woo also forever changed the way we make action movies.
Side note: Eric Cantona has apparently taken some acting lessons after his dismal performance in Redemption. But he will never be the French version of Olivier.
Taking the story in France also does the film a disservice.
what works
Emmanuel is great at everything he does. The actor fills her character’s shoes almost effortlessly. She also manages to keep her eyes open while shooting the bad guys with bullets from her gun. (The actor did “chill” once in church.)
When the police were framed, Xi was convinced. His interactions with the character Emmanuel range from slightly awkward to sentimental. It seems that they are spiritual twins. Both actors managed to make their characters feel more real.
The katana scene in the club was clever and creative.
A tribute to Sergio Leone?
The pacing, music and some of the camera angles are very reminiscent of Sergio Leone’s spaghetti westerns. Not overtly, but almost subconsciously.
It’s almost like Wu wanted to make this version killer More “operatic” in nature. (Leone’s trademark.) This remake feels like a grander, slower epic. So losing Chow Yun-fat would obviously take away from the breakneck pace of the movie itself.
Interesting but not better.
judgment
killer Delightful in a slow melodic way. I can safely give it 3.5 stars out of 5. killer Currently streaming on Peacock.
trailer
The trailer is at the beginning of the review. I want to immediately compare these two films and their conflicting styles.
Relevant
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