SpecialsTarget Disturbing yet enthralling

Catangro After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

Billie Morin This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

Cissy Évelyne It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Tweekums When the son of Triad leader Terence Wei is killed by Detective Stan Zedkov he is determined to get revenge so sends his best hit-man, John Lee, to kill Zedkov's young son. John has the boy in his sights but can't pull the trigger. He is now in trouble; having failed Wei he wants to get back to China so he can protect his family from Wei's inevitable revenge. To do that he needs fake documents so goes to see forger Meg Coburn. Wei's men aren't far behind and the two of them end up on the run together. As they run Wei brings in even more killers.This might not be as thrilling as some of the films Chow Yun-Fat made in Hong Kong with director John Woo but it is still pretty good. Chow Yun-Fat is the epitome of cool managing to make his character sympathetic even though it is clear he is a hired killer; the fact that English isn't his first language isn't a problem. Mira Sorvino does a fine job as Meg Coburn; she might not look like an action star but she pulls it off impressively. The action is exciting with lots of shootouts; it is filmed stylishly without appearing too over-the-top… at least within the context of an action move. The story is pretty simple; which to my mind was a good thing; who wants to waste time on a complicated plot that needs lots of exposition when the film is all about the next shootout! Director Antoine Fuqua does a fine job creating what feels like a Hong Kong action film in Hollywood. Overall I wouldn't say this is a must see but if you want action it is worth checking out… and if you enjoy this check out some of Chow Yun-Fat's other films such as 'The Killer' or 'Hard Boiled'.

Jai Houghton One word can describe this film - AMAZING. Chow Yun-Fat has proved that he has action in his veins. Mira Sorvino has proved to the world of cinema that she is by far THE performer of her family, good looks and kick ass skills. Michael Rooker is one of my favorite actors and this role proved to me that he can handle the roles put out in front of him. In the world of Chinese triad, Yakuza and all things illegal this film rolls them into one great script adding in three great performances and a mix of action, intrigue and witty one liners makes for a blockbuster. All three characters have good/bad qualities and makes for great viewing pleasure. The chemistry of Mira & Chow is fantastic. Hated Mira in high school reunion but this has changed my opinion of her. Action from start to finish - BRILLIANT. Mystery - Who is the good guy? Leave it to you to decide.

Python Hyena The Replacement Killers (1998): Dir: Antoine Fuqua / Cast: Chow Yun-Fat, Mira Sorvino, Michael Rooker, Kenneth Tsang, Jurgen Prochnow: Mindless action film where villains are required to miss their targets while the heroes hit dead on. Replacement killers have nothing to do with anything. It regards Chow Yun-Fat who is sent to kill a cop who put away his boss's son. The cop had no choice but upon showing up at the funeral the father voices his hate. Yun-Fat spares the cop's son and meets Mira Sorvino who concocts an I.D. card until her residence becomes plastered with bullet holes. Lame and predictable with director Antoine Fuqua handling the action, which may be the only ambitious element of the film. Yun-Fat rises above the material playing a guy who can express mercy to those unable to defend themselves such as the boy he is ordered to target. Sorvino is hardly involved and exists mainly as a possible love interest. Michael Rooker as the cop is placed in a difficult position but will realize that Yun-Fat is not against him. Kenneth Tsang plays the true villain whining over losses. The action is fast and furious but the screenplay is dull and full of familiarity. The third act is basically one huge violent blow out where the good guys triumph and the bad guys wish they had signed on to a better film. Well made action farce that needs more than just the killers replaced. Score: 2 / 10

LeonLouisRicci First time Director Fuqua will go on to make better Movies, much better. Chow-Yun Fat has made Movies, with John Woo, that are Classics. But here is a frustrating attempt to bring Chow to American Audiences and it fails on almost every level.There are more bullets than words in this shallow and derivative Script. The Actors are solely determined and the Movie looks great. The problem is that there are a numbing number of Gunfights that consist of not much more that the firing of Guns with little or no Style.Two fine and engaging Stars and a Director with a future are the only reasons to give this a view, or maybe if you like the sound of steel on steel and the firing of automatic weapons. But be warned, this may put you off the better Movies of the Genre and that includes just about all of them.