Une balle dans la tête

"Bullet in the Head" (aka "Die xue jie tou") is a classic Hong Kong action movie from the grandfather of action movies director John Woo, of course. And anyone with a taste for Hong Kong movies would have to have lived under a rock if never having come across a John Woo action movie.

John Woo sort of deviates from his usual formula with "Bullet in the Head" in comparison to a movie such as "Hard Boiled", for example. While "Bullet in the Head" definitely has lots of action sequences, it is not really as action packed as most of his other movies. Instead, there is a healthy amount of drama and character building in "Bullet in the Head". Which was actually serving the movie quite well.

And even in 2019, this action movie from 1990 still stands tall and is definitely watchable and enjoyable still. Sure, you just don't concern yourself about the oddly colored blood used, but focus on the action and the acting.

"Bullet in the Head" features some very iconic Hong Kong actors, such as Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, Jacky Cheung and Simon Yam, whom all carried the movie quite nicely. And the supportive cast were also doing great jobs.

I have watched "Bullet in the Head" three times or so by now, since it was initially released and I had it on VHS back in the day. And I will say that the movie definitely has value to it, as it can viewed again and again with years in between.

If you like Hong Kong action movies from the golden age of over-the-top-action, then you will definitely have to watch "Bullet in the Head".

One of the most intense, powerful, and profound cinematic motion pictures. BULLET IN THE HEAD (The original Cantonese title is known as DIE XUE JIE TOU.) is mesmerizing and perplexing, yet equally emotional motion picture that gives the audience a completely different perspective on the Vietnam War...and how this event has changed the lives of three friends forever.

Ben (Tony Leung), Frank (Jacky Cheung), and Paul (Waise Lee) are three companions who have decided to escape from the perils of their native homeland in Hong Kong. Since Ben and his other two friends wanted to escape from their troublesome pasts, they felt that they could start over and make new, enriching lives for themselves. The three saw opportunity in the country of Vietnam. Little do these three realized that no matter where they would settle, violence was bound to ensue.

In 1967, the conflict between North and South Vietnam has elevated. Riots have been precipitated, fear and panic are widespread, and carnage is rampant. The three main characters are unfortunately caught in the middle of the Vietnam War. Eventually, more mayhem is not far behind.

As the three are trapped and incarcerated in the prisons of the Vietcong main quarters, their friendship with each other is slowly disintegrating...their lives hang in the balance... Whether all three of them can trust each other now and make it out alive is a question that remains ambiguous...

BULLET IN THE HEAD is one of the most sickening albeit cathartic films the viewer will ever witness. Director John Woo is definitely one of the most contemporary action directors around. He spares no punches or bullets with his incredible bursts of action sequences; yet he can still deliver a striking message about the powers of morality and how a humane attitude can help overcome all opposition. BULLET IN THE HEAD has more than enough action to satiate viewers of effervescent action films. There are tons of explosions, shoot-outs, and an even riveting helicopter rescue mission that is a true, vivid climax. These haunting images of BULLET IN THE HEAD, from the unspeakable acts of slaughter, to the moments where friendships triumph over all, will paint an indelible picture in one's mind.

BULLET IN THE HEAD is an unconventional, action-packed film that is moving and enthralling. The disturbing violence in this movie grips the audience as it coerces them to feel the pain. BULLET IN THE HEAD, instead of glorifying violence, rather shows the anguish, the abhorrence, and the abomination of how a once potentially prosperous country now lays in shambles thanks to the devastating war. Cities have been destroyed, villages are burned, and lives are forever scarred, physically and mentally.

Through the experiences of three unlikely heroes in BULLET IN THE HEAD, the viewer can commiserate with all the suffering the people in Vietnam have tangibly felt. The realism of the atrocities of the Vietnam War are captured thanks to the astute direction by John Woo.

BULLET IN THE HEAD is one movie which will adhere to your thoughts forever, even if you watch it only once. This film has excellent action scenes, and a constant mix of feelings as the movie jerks around with the character's emotions. They range from victorious, to heartbroken, to horrific. The cast, including the three leads along with Simon Yam and Fennie Yuen are excellent.

BULLET IN THE HEAD may well be John Woo's best film. Although the graphic violence in BULLET IN THE HEAD is unbearable, it is not gratuitous. The inhumanity of the supercilious villains is shown as they evoke trepidation in their victim's eyes. BULLET IN THE HEAD is one violent, relentlessly brutal yet provocative thriller.

If you feel that you are mature enough to handle the violence in BULLET IN THE HEAD, then by all means, rent this film. You'll discover the true brilliance of John Woo in this rarely seen film in America. He has talent for creating some of the most versatile action films ever! Thrills, character development, and a thought-provoking plot all commingle together in BULLET IN THE HEAD. This is one movie that is impossible to watch throughout its entire duration without cringing, but the chance to see this rare gem is well worth the time.

RATING: ***1/2 out of ****.

This masterpiece is a crime story and a war drama as well as a wonderful film about friendship and the power of money. "Bullet in the Head" is a truly amazing epic that takes place in the era of Vietnam war and it becomes better and better with every minute: the performances of the four main actors are excellent and John Woo´s great action choreography is out of this world! This film is loaded with so much dramatic, emotions and explosiveness what will make you forget anything other you´ve seen before easily!!

I was truly speechless because of this great movie!!!

10/10

Crouching Tiger set the standard that HK and Taiwan were able to produce films that were at the same, perhaps even higher caliber than american films. I have always felt that their films were better even before this. One film that convinced me that HK films could reach out further than american films was this film, John Woo's Bullet in the Head. To sum this film up, its basically John Woo's take on Vietnam, but it really hits you harder than any Nam film ive ever seen. Woo pours alot of thought and emotion into the script and characters, making it more than his shootout/gangster outings. the film never pretends to have a positive connotation, and the ending is absolutely one of the best endings in HK cinema. An absolute masterpiece, see it, or you may never understand how a good action/drama should be done.

How can you not like a movie that starts out with a bloody street fight to an instrumental version of The Monkees "I'm a believer"?

When you start watching this you'll probably laugh at some of the sentiment of the beginning, (the three main guys jump rope, ride bikes, and sing together for instance. Go ahead, try not to snicker, you won't succeed.) This is all a perfect setup for the following sucker punch of the most brutally and entertainingly violent and horrifying series of events ever put on film. People are shot in their head, people explode, demonstrators are shot, exploding Cuban cigars, etc. The thing is that this mix of melodrama, action, and violence comes together into a cohesive whole and works amazingly well.

By the end of the film will drain you physically and emotionally from what you have seen, which is probably why so many people would prefer the shorter ending of this movie. The ending fight is one of the best ever filmed, but by the time you get to it you'll be exhausted. Personally, I like the long ending.

Honestly, this is the best movie I have ever seen. It is the best mix of melodrama and violence ever put on film. It's over the top in almost every way imaginable. It's suprisingly moving. I love it.