Crying Freeman

As a Korean, I am very surprised to see how well foreigners understand the special culture of Chinese and Japan.

The idea that some Buddhists established an legendary organization and trained a legendary assassin called "freeman" and whenever China was in trouble, the organization helped to avoid or overcome the trouble situations. so it was given respect by Chinese is to come from the traditional chivalry story of China. in fact, the movie "First of Legend" acted by "Jet li" has the same context with this. "Crying Freeman" also reflects the culture of Yakuza Organization in Japan well. for example, Yakuzas like to have a dragon tattooed upon their bodies and if the boss died, the successor married the boss' wife. and so on.

I felt as if I was seeing the movie produced by Chinese or Japanese. and I could enjoy it even more interestingly than other foreign movies.

I've never supported the idea of discussing underrated or overrated action movies, because basically, they are all the same. Crying Freeman proved me wrong and I am thankful. Even a 90s action might earn your respect.

Yo Hinomura/Freeman is an assassin who is captured killing Yakuza mobsters. As he risks his life in a bloody battle for leadership and respect, a beautiful woman falls in love with him, offering her help.

First, I want to note that Crying Freeman is one of the most beautiful action movies, ever shot. It's not the "gunshots" that make it attractive. It's not the experimental directing style that provokes your curiosity. It's the lightly, rhythmical plot development. There are a couple of very beautiful shots that you'll never find in a Steven Segal film. The creators show how much they care about that story which is based on anime series. I always like movies that are made out of artistic passion and love for the particular genre.

Crying Freeman, unlike most 90s "boom-boom" flicks, tells a story about honor and human will. Freeman is a perfectly shaped character, quite likable, although he is not "the guy who saved the world". Silent and prepared, dangerous and wise. I never asked for such things before watching the movie and I am sure nobody has. Maybe that is why I loved it.

It's the depth of the story that made the movie very different for me. This is arguably one of a kind film that depends on its own style. Crying Freeman is almost modest and unambitious which is something, I personally, haven't seen in the past couple of year. Christophe Gans's movie promises to remain a classic if future generations manage to look through its "soul".

Of course, comments about the cast could hardly be made. Due to realism purposes, the creators have gathered a cast of almost unknown performers who do their best and in my opinion, succeed, delivering good performances.

The bad points are almost imperceptible. I kinda disliked how some scenes are way too dark. I've always hated that in movies. Yes, it is more authentic, but you can easily miss a character being killed or something like that. I had hard times, recognizing the villains in the third act, because some of them are killed in the first half on the movie.

Crying Freeman makes us realize we were in a big mistake. There are action movies about moral values.

I hired this on video in the UK, and was so suprised to find what an excellent film this is, especially as I and everyone else seems never to have heard of it.

I have never seen the original Manga anime, nor am a big fan of the anime genre. However, I am very interest in oriental culture, and so probably more tolerant and open minded to such things than most people.

This film is awesomely slick, clear and crisp. To view it as only a film with violence is to watch it blindfolded. In fact the more I watch this film, the more I realize that there is not that much action, just that each sequence has a huge impact. Between the cool, elegant and well balanced cinematography and Gans's uncluttered and simple direction, the film draws the viewer through a beautiful, dark and rich world of a sino-japanese underworld. The film revolves around the traditional and formal world of the Japanese yakusa, and the dark and dedicated world of the chinese Triads, both playing for power. Without any understanding of either japanese or chinese culture this film might well be too remote for the casual viewer.

Strongest point of this film, is without doubt the cinematography. Superb composition, especially in the slow motion shots, the steralized mono-chrome of the yakusa/triads and the fantastic colours of the wonderful tattoos all contribute to a visually deep and absorbing experience.

I find many modern action films overly converluted and complicated little reason for being so other than they think they should. It was very refreshing seeing a plot that was simple and clean. The characters are well construed, if under-developed for many critics. But this has never been a problem for me, as I think a lot of films tell a story of events and the prying voyeurism of characterisation isnt needed. One of the nicest aspects, was the obvious nature of the 'crying' freeman. An assassin that is emotionally sympathetic to his victims, but who doesnt really understand it and partially sees it as a curse. This allows the main character to be softer and more human, without having to pile into the emotional struggles.

This was the first Marc Dacascos film I had seen, and was immensly impressed by him. His body movement is exceptionally elegant and he isnt challenged by the very dry exterior of the hitman. Sadly, I dont think he has been in anything nearly as good since.

All in all, Christophe Gans crafted an excellent and entertaining film. He brings us neo-zen, clinical beauty in magnificent depth. The slick style and soft characters beat anything that Jon Woo has done.

(P.S. Am a big john woo fan, so hate to dis him. But must be said that gans hasnt produced anything of similar quality since again... but here's hoping for a sequel sometime)

Marc Dacascos is well cast in this role. he has a Manga like face that seems very perfectly symmetrical and too innocent to be a killer. Which adds to the legend that the Freeman is simply a hermit artist, a potter who keeps to himself and, were it not for the Sons of the Dragons, would have stayed that way.

The movie is a close adaptation to the Manga without trying to do the inimitable. Marc Dacascos is an acknowledged martial artist and acrobat which adds only to the credentials he brings to the movie. Of course, as all avid manga watchers will know, there is always a perverted dimension to the Manga movies. This is not so apparent in this movie adaptation, but suffice it to say that the romantic interest in this movie, has a face which seems so beautiful and tender, it could have come right out of a Japanese novel.

Superb watching. I recommend it to anyone who liked the Manga.

"Crying Freeman" is a great movie. I've seen the movie at least 10 times & I still feel like I'm watching it for the first time. Fortunately, for me I've got the movie on tape format.

The actions in the movie are a bit annoying to some, but it is to intensify the plot. There's no obvious funny/comedic elements in the movie, but I have found some scenes that amuse me. It's not obvious but it is logical to the plot. And the fun of it comes naturally. The romance between Yo & Emu is poignant. It always get me blushing through the movie. An old fashion yet evergreen kind of romance. For rating, 11/10. Though I do know that's not 'legal'. But in my book, it is!!