CHOW-YUN-FAT.de

John Lee (Chow Yun-Fat) is the best killer in the Chinese mafia. But he has not carried out his last job in accordance with his godfather’s wishes. Now this professional hitman is on the run himself for his life. At his side is the beautiful Meg (Miro Sorvino), a forgerer, who is supposed to create a new passport for his escape abroad. Both of them are chased by the best ruthless killers from the godfather. Their leader is the ice-cold Michael Kogan (Jürgen Prochnow). The replacement killers (Til Schweiger, Danny Trejo) are supposed to complete the job which John Lee had refused to do. There is a marksman lurking behind every wall, and the best cops have joined in the cutthroat hunt.

Teqs Review:

Rating:  

Chow Yun-Fat’s first and best Hollywood film.

John Lee (Chow Yun-Fat) is a contract killer in the Chinese mafia. He has to complete one more contract to protect his family in China. He is not able to kill an innocent child and has to lie low.

On the advice of a friend, he turns to Meg Coburn (Mira Sorvino), a forgerer who is supposed to make a new passport for him, so that he can disappear to China. Before she is able to do this, the mafia killers raid her flat. John has to flee, Meg runs into the arm of the law, but she is allowed to go home again.

John turns up again in Meg’s wrecked flat, as he still needs papers. When she refuses, he takes her as a ‘hostage’ on the spot.With Meg in tow he goes to see his friend, who they find has been murdered. They fall into the hands of Michael Kogan (Jürgen Prochnow) but are able to escape.

Meg finds out from John why he did everything and why he needs to get back to China as quickly as possible. She decides to help him. Together they prevent the assassination of the little boy, which the replacement killers are in the meantime intent on carrying out.

Because of this John loses time, which he would have needed to be able to save his family. He wants to kill the godfather by his own hand and it ends in a showdown in the best possible Chow Yun-Fat fashion.

Resume:
Chow Yun-Fat plays once again the role of the killer with morals. This first Hollywood film was tailor-made for him. The film reminds me greatly of ‘The Killer ‘of 1989 but here the ending is better.
There is certainly enough action. Miro Sorvino is at the top of her game. Even in the showdown at the end the choreography of the shooting scenes is just right (thumbs up!)
A good recommendation for all action fans.

Translation by Mew

DVD
Production: Columbia Tristar
Regionalcode: RC 2 (Europe)
Format: PAL
Running Time: 84 min
Language:German / English