# Die xue shuang xiong (1989)

### reviewed by
Luke Buckmaster

    REVIEW: The Killer (1989)
    (Die xue shuang xiong)
    By Luke Buckmaster (bucky@alphalink.com.au)

Cast: Yun-Fat Chow (known in Hollywood as Chow Yun-Fat), Jeffery Chow, Danny Lee, Sally Yeh, Chu Kong, Kenneth Tsang Director: John Woo Screenplay: John Woo -- available in the cult/nostalgia section of your local video store --

    >From 0 stars (bomb), to 5 stars (a masterpiece):
    4 and a half stars

After viewing The Killer, it's hard to think about anything else. John Woo, now one of the worlds most revered action directors, reaches the audience on so many different levels that it's easy to be overwhelmed in the process. He wrote and directed the film with the precision and craftsmanship of a true mastermind, and uses a remarkable way of filmmaking to convey his story and stimulate the senses. It's an action film, really, but it's not centered around the action scenes themselves. It has a romantic subplot, without being about a love-struck romance. It gives lessons on revenge, without making clear whether vengeance is right or wrong. Finally, and most impressively, it tells a story of humanity - of honoring friends in the worst of all scenarios - and generates pure-bred emotion amongst blazing guns and dripping blood.

The Killer is similar in story to Woo's 1997 masterpiece Face/Off. Certainly the same amount of dynamic chemistry between the two main protagonists is evident, perhaps even a little more so. Jeffery (Chow Yun-Fat) is a slick professional killer who, during a mission, accidentally partially blinds a young woman singer, Jennie (Sally Yeh). Six months later, Jennie is almost totally blind, and needs an expensive operation to correct her eyesight. Jeffery takes on a last job for $1.5 million, planning to retire from his hard-hearted profession after the mission is completed.

Meanwhile, ace cop Inspector Li (Danny Lee) learns about Jeff's expert ways and tracks him down - his only connection being the obvious Jennie. The assured showdowns between these two characters results in a unlikely friendship; at one of the many unprecedented moments, they dub each other as "Mickey Mouse" and "Dumbo."

The Killer oozes class and imperative timing, as Woo brings traditional action scenes onto the screen with an originality and flair that few directors can match. Brilliant scene maker Brian De Palma pieces together action scenes with the smart sort of skills; both giving a striking visual sincerity to their material. De Palma's best moments include the infamous train station stairs scene in The Untouchables, and the intense minutes of Tom Cruise descending into a high security room in Mission: Impossible. Woo completed The Killer before his entrance into Hollywood, and The Killer's thrilling climax in a church ties with John Travolta and Nicholas Cage's "mirror" showdown in Face/Off as some of the best this director has to offer. The difference between Woo and De Palma, though, is that Woo generally maintains the level of quality all throughout; consequently making terrific films, not just terrific scenes.

Most people will be pleased to know that the film - which was originally in Chinese (it's real name being Die xue shuang xiong) - does not have subtitles, but rather has been dubbed into less than convincing English. Disappointingly, much of the dialogue is ridiculously simplistic, and it seems a little silly that all characters are speaking with healthy American accents in Hong Kong (whilst listening to Chinese music, I might add). This is the most obvious flaw in the film, and will frustrate viewers who want rich, illustrious dialogue to suit the rich, illustrious film. Still, it must be said that no-one goes to see a John Woo film for the dialogue (although Face/Off's dialogue plays a large part of what makes it so great to watch).

Chow Yun-Fat, who made his Hollywood debut in 1997 with The Replacement Killers, is on cue every time in the film's most likeable part. However, someone's character seems a little too inexperienced and erratic to be completely convincible as an ace cop. But somehow the chemistry between these two works beautifully - emotionally and physically.

>From the mind of a truly dynamic director comes this wonderfully thought out and executed film. Woo has made sure that The Killer is as attractive emotionally as it is visually; combining all elements of what makes a great film great. But more than that, he invents scenarios that reassure viewers of what a true cinematic experience should be like.

Review © copyright Luke Buckmaster

Email bucky@alphalink.com.au to subscribe to my newsletter (unless, of course, you already have) or lukebuckmaster@hotmail.com.for any inquiries or feedback

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