Review: Well well well, John Woo and his camera has merged once again to bring us yet another powerful action flick. This was John Woo's fourth to last film that he would make in his home of Hong Kong before he made the transition to the American film scene. The Killer has all of John Woo's styles you've grown to love and admire. The action in this film is blistering and the characters are driven with a powerful motive. You'd think after so many action films, John Woo would fall into the trap of stereotyping himself. That is not the case. This film is a fine addition to Woo's extensive filmography of hardcore action films.

The concept of the film isn't a stranger to the typical Woo fan: a hitman with a heart wants to pull out of the business due to family/girlfriend. The boss and his men somehow find a way to have a reason to kill him and endlessly pursue him. The cop who has a passion for justice, but always gets the boot somehow begins to chase him down. At the end, the hitman and the cop come together to bust the triad. The story could've been trite trash, but it wasn't the case. Chow-Yun Fat once again flawlessly executes the mentally tortured hitman who has gains the logic of Yoda through the brilliant murders of the evil men of the world. Usually Mr. Fat steals the show in performance, but Danny Lee (portraying Inspector Li) gives him a run for his money. The two leading men have this chemistry that every generic hitman/cop movie wished it had. Li wants justice, but is held back by the law. Joe wants justice as well, but he's held back by morals. Li obsesses over Joe's freedom and wishes with all his heart that he had taken the road to become a hitman. But having taken the path he did, he can only dream and wonder what it is like. Together, Li and Joe share with each other their own wisdom, ultimately establishing a powerful bond of friendship. Sally Yeh's performance as Jennie only adds fuel to the burning acting flame. Once again, the caliber of the character's is powerful enough to put the action in the back seat.

Guns and bullets. They're as abundant as raindrops in a thunderstorm in action movies. John Woo's direction gives these bullets life and a panache no other director has been able to recreate. Each bullet is perfectly timed to make the action sequences ethereal. From the single bullet that kills the high official instantly to the hail of bullets that rip up the intruders of the church, the action in this movie is spectacular. The poetic way Mr. Fat pulls the trigger on the gun to strike down the men in this movie awes you. The single shot where blood spills in the background of a tuxedo-wearing Fat can give one goosebumps. If you're in search for action, John Woo delivers once again.