John Woo's name is synonymous with that of "action movie," and indeed the Hong Kong born director is one of very few auteurs working in the most explosive of genres, having rendered his own unique style over the course of many decades. So we know John Woo best for his trademarks: characters wielding twin pistols, doves flying before something terrible happens, countless slow-motion sequences - and all of these are on show in what might just be his best film, the frankly astounding Hard-Boiled, where every one of the action scenes threatens to blow your mind. Even if you're yet to witness the genius of Hard-Boiled, which stars Woo regular Chow-Yung Fat as a police officer out to solve a murder case, chances are you've at least glimpsed the iconic poster, which pictures Fat - shotgun in hand - holding a baby. And this image is a reference to one of many blinding action sequences that are inherent to this Hong Kong marvel: the scene in question, shot in one extended take of 9 minutes, is genuinely awe-inspiring in its choreography. The plot isn't much, but with so much style - and so many people getting shot - it's really hard to feel bothered.
Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.
