A mindless action movie, from a mindless action director Antione Fuqua, this being his second directorial debut. Those who are fans of Chow-Yun Fat and the Hong Cong action genre will be more than able to enjoy this more than decent American interpretation of the energetic direction of John Woo. However, those not familiar with the genre, (which is considered most people), will have trouble toning in to this action thriller due to the lack of a fully constructed plot.Now that I have written my critic consensus on the movie itself, I will give my personal opinion on this extremely underrated American take on most John Woo Hong Cong Action flicks. Personally, this movie doesn't have many problems in terms of an action movie, it is just overlooked due to its motivation of the story that leads to the action. Performance wise, I had never seen Mira Sorvino is any other films, but her performance was satisfactory due to her smart remarks and corniness, she also has great chemistry down the line with Chow-Yun Fat's character. I also happen to be a fan of Chow-Yun Fat, who in most cases, gives his best performances in Hong Cong action flicks, but this performance is not to be overlooked, as he might not say much, but in this case letting the handgun do most of the talking is just fine with me. My final thoughts of the film is that it is much worth seeing due that all Chow-Yun Fats masterpieces are made in China. Personally, I would say just make an exception, you more than likely will not be disappointed, and if it does, it was worth the try.

The Replacement Killers (1998): Dir: Antoine Fuqua / Cast: Chow Yun-Fat, Mira Sorvino, Michael Rooker, Kenneth Tsang, Jurgen Prochnow: Mindless action film where villains are required to miss their targets while the heroes hit dead on. Replacement killers have nothing to do with anything. It regards Chow Yun-Fat who is sent to kill a cop who put away his boss's son. The cop had no choice but upon showing up at the funeral the father voices his hate. Yun-Fat spares the cop's son and meets Mira Sorvino who concocts an I.D. card until her residence becomes plastered with bullet holes. Lame and predictable with director Antoine Fuqua handling the action, which may be the only ambitious element of the film. Yun-Fat rises above the material playing a guy who can express mercy to those unable to defend themselves such as the boy he is ordered to target. Sorvino is hardly involved and exists mainly as a possible love interest. Michael Rooker as the cop is placed in a difficult position but will realize that Yun-Fat is not against him. Kenneth Tsang plays the true villain whining over losses. The action is fast and furious but the screenplay is dull and full of familiarity. The third act is basically one huge violent blow out where the good guys triumph and the bad guys wish they had signed on to a better film. Well made action farce that needs more than just the killers replaced. Score: 2 / 10

Cool new wave action extravaganza, you can wonderfully wile your 87 minutes away, easily, sees Asian superstar, Chow Yun Fat, (and this guy can act) break into the Hollywood market, but this movie doesn't do it for him, thanks to a not so original story. Supercool hit man Fat, turns down and job, and rightfully so, when asked to take out the little boy of a cop, (Rooker in top form) responsible for killing the son of a mafia boss. In walking away from this job, he brings a whole ton load of trouble on himself, when the boss's associates come after him, weapons blazing, which makes for great action sequences, with Chow Yun Fat setting a new standard in coolness. A young woman forger (Sorvino-loved her) gets caught in Fat's dilemma, and the two team up, proving a great match against our baddies. Sorvino, a rebel here, who grew up hard, can really dish it back at New York's finest, I really admired her independence and defiance. She grows on ya. Chow too, sees to it, the little boy stays unharmed, as the new merciless replacements arrive, one of them real scary, and it's the much less known one. As an action spectacle, this movie, too cool for school, rides a lot on coolness, but is evidently let down, cause of it's weak story. Performance wise, I really loved Rooker in this as cop and family man, who you don't want the bad guys to lay a finger on them. This film just doesn't cut it as a successor for Fat, while his following pic, The Corrupter was of much better ilk. Why? Story. Cheap forgettable opening sequence here, amidst titles, too, doesn't actually inspire a quality pic is to ensue, either.

I have watched this movie so many times that I can't remember how many. Although I have read that Sorvino and Chow didn't get along very well during the filming, you would never know it based on the chemistry between the two of them on the screen. They are perfectly paired. The gunfight scenes in this movie are some of the best I have ever seen. More bullets fly than you can ever possibly count, and Chow Yun-Fat can shoot two guns with more determination than anyone else in the industry. He moves like art in motion. I have seen many of Chow's movies, and I consider this one to be one of his best, so if you like John Woo Hong Kong action movies you need to watch this one and watch the sparks fly.