Not sure why this movie gets flak. I had a great time with it. It's a tight, 90-minute ride that leans more into romance and suspense than wall-to-wall action. Yeah, it's simple and kind of predictable, but the chemistry between Alex Man and Elizabeth Lee is great. Their love story takes center stage and feels surprisingly sincere (despite the lies that exacerbates the internal conflict of both flawed characters), even with a deranged killer stalking Man in the background.
The action is exactly what you'd want from classic Hong Kong cinema too- it's bloody, intense, and stylishly drawn out. That early death scene that kicks off the vengeance subplot is seriously brutal, and the camera doesn't shy away from it. It's not nonstop action, but what's there is memorable.
And of course I have to mention the use of Take My Breath Away as well as some well-placed Cantopop tracks that totally nailed the vibe. The music adds just the right touch of melancholy and style.
This is a good moody, romantic thriller with a few great splashes of violence. And no, I absolutely do not agree with the reviews claiming this was a waste of Stephen Chow. Had he been goofing it up more than what he was given would have seriously turned the tone upside down. It's a great movie just the way it is.
