The Replacement Killers
A film review by Frank Ochieng
starring: Chow Yun-Fat, Mira Sorvino Director: Antoine Fuqua
Antoine Fuqua, noted music video director, supplies the action in his latest action thriller cleverly called THE REPLACEMENT KILLERS. This flashy, action-packed flick comes with some notable performers: top Asian star Chow Yun-Fat and Oscar-winning actress Mira Sorvino. THE REPLACEMENT KILLERS is your typical kinetic-kicking, bullet-bouncing, danger-dodging, Hong Kong-oriented thriller that has the legs but never manages to run with what you would expect a distinctive action piece such as this deserves.
Yun-Fat, who obviously is testing his stardom status here in the U.S. just like his fellow Asian action stars Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh, plays a wayward assassin from China sent to the United States to complete a "hit" but his heart isn't in the right mode to do so. As a result, Yun-Fat is stuck in the country and his only way of escaping is to utilize the services of Sorvino's document forger. Together, they scamper through chaotic crazy situations while shooting up the joint left and right. There are some devastatingly dangerous yet dandy stunts plus both stars come off as more clever and keen than what is actually believed given their involvement in these sensational situ- ations. However, you never really get to see any enthusiasm or robust reaction to action hero Yun-Fat's character. He seems remote and more like a shoot 'em up robot. He doesn't seem to possess the campy high- flying enjoyment like his action counterpart Jackie Chan does in his movies. And the duo of Yun-Fat and Sorvino doesn't really click on screen...their dynamic duo routine somehow doesn't register in the compatibility department.
THE REPLACEMENT KILLERS is indeed a crafty and catchy title for a thriller. But this movie never lives up to its exciting name. Maybe it is because this film's motivation is from an American music video director in that of Fuqua who simply lacks the intense, atmospheric slap-happy exuberance from that of Asian directors like John Woo or Stanley Tong who can satisfy the needs of the Hong Kong-style action genre. THE REPLACEMENT KILLERS ands its main star Chow Yun-Fat both have the potential as a breakout hit and star in the U.S. respectively but this vehicle needs to be driven by someone with more charisma and character. A fair action thriller is offered here but what a difference this movie would make from merely being fair to that of being a fist-full-of-frenzied fun. A mild recommendation at best.
Frank rates it: ** stars
Frank Ochieng
QNFR98A@prodigy.com
http://www.vgt.com/atmovies.html
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