Chan sam ying hung

Just as much a tribute to the heroic bloodshed films of yesteryear as it is a brilliantly stylised entry in its own right, A Hero Never Dies is a pure exercise in genre film despite being so hard-boiled that it almost becomes a comedy. Taking a fundamentally tried, tested and clichéd story in a world where the violence is more sudden and the atmosphere much darker and upending nearly every element of the films he's paying homage to, shows the power of Johnnie To's filmmaking ability. To's direction is fantastic with plenty of sweeping camera movements and tremendous use of colour, all coupled with Cheng Siu-keung's outstanding photography make the film a feast for the eyes. The incredible sense of loyalty and honour these characters display ultimately makes them "heroes", the themes are often hammered home so relentlessly that the film nearly enters the realm of parody. Only in a gangland fantasy would characters enjoy a friendship but have no qualms about killing one another later. The performances from its central cast are phenomenal, Leon Lai and Sean Lau especially, both playing fundamentally different archetypes of the same profession to immense effect, all the while Raymond Wong's hauntingly powerful score dominates the sound mix, even if he does repeat a few too many cues from his work on Running Out of Time. A Hero Never Dies ultimately just solidifies to me that Johnnie To is one of, if not the best post-handover filmmaker in the industry. Heroes may die, but their actions live forever.

This movie was kind of ridiculous. It's about two gangs that fight each other. Each of the gang's best members got kicked out (in a shoot-out, of course). One gets shot a lot of times, the other loses his legs. This teaches us a valuable lesson, don't get shot. They both survive. One vows for revenge on his boss, the other for his boss. There are many violent gun fights, they're a little ridiculous (get shot? no problem, just keep shooting back!).

7/10

The film opens in Thailand, where Triad member Jack (Leon Lai) lets off some steam as he shoots up bowls of fruit and a fortune teller. Afterwards, he steps outside to take a pee, joined by his teammates as big, sweeping music ascends, accompanied by the usual, beautiful, Johnnie To cinematography!

You can't help but smile at some of the over-dramatic moments in A Hero Never Dies. Either the music is just too much for what's going on, or the cast really milk their screen time with some cheesy posing or slow-motion cigar lighting...

There is definitely a hint of dark comedy stretched throughout this heroic bloodshed Milkyway production - from the tongue-in-cheek portrayal of the main characters, to their lines and overall situation of using a barman at their local club, as their middle-man for passing messages to each other (like a married couple bickering, and a child caught in the middle). One extended scene of them trying to enjoy a glass of wine, while they each try to destroy one another's glass, is a prime example. Wonderfully shot, beautifully lit - but just ridiculous at the same time in a fun way.

It took me a couple of watches to enjoy A Hero Never Dies. I think a nice clean Bluray HD version would help! While it has plenty going on in its first 20 minutes, including a number of gun-fights and a darkly funny decapitation by a car door; it still feels slow. But do stick with it as the pace eventually picks up!

Leon Lai does great as the moody Jack, but it has to be Lau Ching Wan who really steals the show as Martin, with his pencil moustache, cowboy hat, and outrageous outfits. Both are great hitmen, and while they are secretly best friends and deliver some funny moments, they each are ruthless when it comes to taking down the enemy or pointing their gun.

Martial arts star and villain, Yen Shi Kwan (Fearless Hyena; Once Upon A Time In China) plays Jack's boss and Triad leader, Mr. Yam, with the great Henry Fong (Shinjuku Incident; So Close) playing Martin's boss. Johnnie To regular, Lam Suet, is present of course as are a host of other recognisable faces...

By the half-way mark, the film takes a dark turn in true Hong Kong style with Johnnie To turning things up a notch, which results in some great drama, gun-play, and heroic bloodshed action. A stylish, beautifully shot film with great performances and violent action that is well worth the watch!

Overall: If you loved A Better Tomorrow, you will love this!!

a very good start to film such movie, before his upcoming movies such as AmZin 1 and 2. i would always say johnny to is a brilliant director, always able to adapt to filming different types of movies; love romance (love on a diet - 100% recommended to watch), thriller, mystery which loves leaving the audience to think a lot or read behind the lines. The cast is quite good as well, Leon Lai played his character very calm and cool whereas Lau Ching Wan once again as Johnny's favourite, played his very professional also sometimes a good joker. Another one of good Hongkong movie on triads but this is before 2000 which have a lot of differences in such triad movies in the new and old eras; however they both still carry very good tricky story lines. Such thriller movie is never made too serious or boring or to focus on killings only, but always include jokes, romance; bringing a twist to triad movies. In Hero, those 2 actresses played their roles very well, though died tragically willing to sacrifice for their lovers. Yoyo was quite good for a start in her acting career before turning to TVB (hongkong series). Fiona an experienced actress was very good being a lover of a triad, expecting from the start how her life would be. Also, don't forget the music background!!! Johnny To's movies is always complete to excellence with perfect music.. meaningful, suitable for the atmospheres, adding touch to the character's role in the movie! Excellent.. just like in AmZin. In this show like most triad movies, it's all about the basic principles not only in triads but in life too; loyalty, trustworthy, willing to sacrifice, brave and bold etc. Also, a very big principle especially for MAN and Triads - dignity! Both big Bosses want to end this long war between their people and rather enjoy lives and let their people return their families, but what is it which keeps them going on killing each other? This movie is well worth watching! Be prepared and don't ask for too much in this movie before watching, because remember it's filmed in or before 1998; hence it's terribly an awesome movie with such technology back then. It's all about the cast and the plot well portrayed! Well done!

Other than his good looks and swagger, Leon Lai doesn't have much going for him in this movie. The guy who plays the Wayne Newton/Clark Gable-like character is a better actor.

The movie starts out with a fortune-teller and his altar getting shot. Is it supposed to say something about man determining his own destiny? The female characters are very strong even though they're the gangsters' girlfriends who sacrifice themselves for their men. Fiona did the best acting of anyone in this movie.

I don't understand the plot details and judging from what I've read, other people don't understand it either. The ending's pretty funny.

7/10