Search - The Killer on DVD

Content Advisory: Graphic Violence, Adult Situations, Not For Children Movie Release: 1989 DVD Release: 04/01/1998 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Edition: Special Collection Audio Tracks: Cantonese Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 50 mins Studio: Criterion Members Wishing: 46 Genres: Action, Crime, Action Thriller, Gangster Film, Buddy Film See Also: The Killer, The Killer, The Killer, The Killer

Though John Woo's lifelong admiration of Sam Peckinpah, Sergio Leone, Martin Scorsese, and Stanley Kubrick are also evident in this stylish actioner, the film is essentially a tribute to Jean-Pierre Melville and his cult thriller Le Samouraï. During a restaurant shoot-out, hitman Jeff (Chow Yun-Fat) accidentally hurts the eyes of a singer (Sally Yeh). Later, he meets the girl and discovers that if she does not have a very expensive operation very soon, she will go blind. To get the money for the surgery, Jeff decides to perform one last hit. The cop (Danny Lee), who has been chasing Jeff for a long time, is determined to catch him this time. The film's number of victims makes The Terminator or Rambo pale in comparison, but its brilliant visual style and bravura direction earned accolades even from non-action fans. ~ Yuri German, All Movie Guide

Chow Yun-Fat - Jeffrey Chow
Danny Lee - Detective "Eagle" Lee
Sally Yeh - Jenny
Kenneth Tsang - Sgt. Randy Chang
Chu Kong - Sydney Fung

Revered among videophiles for their tireless efforts to present the most complete and comprehensive versions of classic and important contemporary films available, The Criterion Collection brings John Woo's acclaimed bullet ballet The Killer to DVD in a package that will prove irresistible to any Woo fanatic.
Boasting an "Exclusive film-to-tape transfer approved by director John Woo," the image presented on the disk, letterboxed at 1.85:1 from a new composite 35 mm print struck from the original negative, is beautiful and sharp except for some notable speckling. Colors are well balanced, bright and rich, with little or no traces of artifacting or film grain. Presented in Dolby Digital Mono with optional English subtitles appearing within the letterboxed image, the audio doesn't quite have the resonance one would hope for, sounding slightly tinny at times and with the numerous and frequent gunplay popping rather than booming in the exciting action sequences. The audio is clean, however, mixed well and bears no signs of distortion. The commentary track featuring director Woo and producer Terence Chang is involving and entertaining; the listener can tell how much Woo truly loves film and the cinematic experience, and his enthusiasm is infective. Discussing his influences, techniques (his notorious use of slow motion is discussed in detail), and history of Woo and Chang's fruitful relationship gives information-hungry fans and aspiring film school Woo-wannabes genuine insight into his passion and craft. Deleted scenes are mostly incidental and brief, but for one notable exception, which offers some depth to the relationship between Inspector Lee (Danny Lee) and Jenny (Sally Yeh) and an interesting parallel to her relationship with John (Chow Yun Fat). An included theatrical trailer for the American art house version is attractive and curious in its portrayal of the film to American audiences. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide