This is the opposite of a kid's movie. Many R rated violent movies are fine for kids, but the story, the tragedy, the horror, and just the characters are too much for children. This is not a movie to watch if you are having a party. This is a fine, fine work by John Woo. The four main characters are excellent, and one is a killing machine. In the end you get more from this than even The Killer (which I feel is a better movie). While The Killer may tug at your heart, this will screw with your mind. This movie must be seen much more than the Matrix when it comes to being unable to explain what's going on. John Woo's opening seems very in character for him, but it might not be perfect for this film. Still, it serves its purpose and the end is truly incredible.
72 Reviews
Another exuberant thrill ride from John Woo!
The_Void3 March 2005
In 1989, John Woo made a film that would simultaneously redefine and reinvent the action genre forever. The film I speak of is, of course, The Killer. Blending a touching storyline with exuberant gunfights, The Killer worked through excess and it was an absolute delight to be behold. It's hard to follow up on something like that, and for his next A-class feature; Bullet in the Head, John Woo wasn't quite able to recreate that what he did so incredibly well a year earlier. However, what he has created is still an excellent thrill ride and one that fans of The Killer wont want to miss! Woo is keen to keep that gang element from The Killer, except this time he fuses it was action from the Vietnam war, and as the story spans across many different locations, it can aptly be considered an epic. We follow the stories of three young men who leave Hong Kong after two of them kill another gang member. They decide to become smugglers and take advantage of the Vietnam War, but little did they know that they would end up in the thick of it.
The film takes obvious influence from the classic Vietnam war dramas such as 'The Deer Hunter' and 'Platoon', but through Woo's stylising, it takes on a life of it's own and stands apart from those films that influenced it. Woo is known for going over the top, and seeing three men in suits in the middle of the Vietnam war is over the top alright! However, also going over the top is the sentiment and I don't know if it's just the way that Chinese translates into English or what, but this film is definitely cheesy! The sentiment boded well in The Killer, but here it definitely doesn't and the film would be a lot better if the amount of sentiment was more realistic. The sentiment messes up the characters as well as the film too, as seeing one or more of them break into great long speeches undermines the fact that they're supposed to be criminals. However, all this doesn't matter once you get into the gun battles; which are incredible to say the least. If it wasn't for the sentiment, it would have been a complete whole; but it's still a damn good movie regardless.
The film takes obvious influence from the classic Vietnam war dramas such as 'The Deer Hunter' and 'Platoon', but through Woo's stylising, it takes on a life of it's own and stands apart from those films that influenced it. Woo is known for going over the top, and seeing three men in suits in the middle of the Vietnam war is over the top alright! However, also going over the top is the sentiment and I don't know if it's just the way that Chinese translates into English or what, but this film is definitely cheesy! The sentiment boded well in The Killer, but here it definitely doesn't and the film would be a lot better if the amount of sentiment was more realistic. The sentiment messes up the characters as well as the film too, as seeing one or more of them break into great long speeches undermines the fact that they're supposed to be criminals. However, all this doesn't matter once you get into the gun battles; which are incredible to say the least. If it wasn't for the sentiment, it would have been a complete whole; but it's still a damn good movie regardless.
A classic John Woo action movie...
paul_haakonsen6 July 2019
"Bullet in the Head" (aka "Die xue jie tou") is a classic Hong Kong action movie from the grandfather of action movies director John Woo, of course. And anyone with a taste for Hong Kong movies would have to have lived under a rock if never having come across a John Woo action movie.
John Woo sort of deviates from his usual formula with "Bullet in the Head" in comparison to a movie such as "Hard Boiled", for example. While "Bullet in the Head" definitely has lots of action sequences, it is not really as action packed as most of his other movies. Instead, there is a healthy amount of drama and character building in "Bullet in the Head". Which was actually serving the movie quite well.
And even in 2019, this action movie from 1990 still stands tall and is definitely watchable and enjoyable still. Sure, you just don't concern yourself about the oddly colored blood used, but focus on the action and the acting.
"Bullet in the Head" features some very iconic Hong Kong actors, such as Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, Jacky Cheung and Simon Yam, whom all carried the movie quite nicely. And the supportive cast were also doing great jobs.
I have watched "Bullet in the Head" three times or so by now, since it was initially released and I had it on VHS back in the day. And I will say that the movie definitely has value to it, as it can viewed again and again with years in between.
If you like Hong Kong action movies from the golden age of over-the-top-action, then you will definitely have to watch "Bullet in the Head".
John Woo sort of deviates from his usual formula with "Bullet in the Head" in comparison to a movie such as "Hard Boiled", for example. While "Bullet in the Head" definitely has lots of action sequences, it is not really as action packed as most of his other movies. Instead, there is a healthy amount of drama and character building in "Bullet in the Head". Which was actually serving the movie quite well.
And even in 2019, this action movie from 1990 still stands tall and is definitely watchable and enjoyable still. Sure, you just don't concern yourself about the oddly colored blood used, but focus on the action and the acting.
"Bullet in the Head" features some very iconic Hong Kong actors, such as Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, Jacky Cheung and Simon Yam, whom all carried the movie quite nicely. And the supportive cast were also doing great jobs.
I have watched "Bullet in the Head" three times or so by now, since it was initially released and I had it on VHS back in the day. And I will say that the movie definitely has value to it, as it can viewed again and again with years in between.
If you like Hong Kong action movies from the golden age of over-the-top-action, then you will definitely have to watch "Bullet in the Head".
The best written HK movie ever
jinxs12 April 2001
Crouching Tiger set the standard that HK and Taiwan were able to produce films that were at the same, perhaps even higher caliber than american films. I have always felt that their films were better even before this. One film that convinced me that HK films could reach out further than american films was this film, John Woo's Bullet in the Head. To sum this film up, its basically John Woo's take on Vietnam, but it really hits you harder than any Nam film ive ever seen. Woo pours alot of thought and emotion into the script and characters, making it more than his shootout/gangster outings. the film never pretends to have a positive connotation, and the ending is absolutely one of the best endings in HK cinema. An absolute masterpiece, see it, or you may never understand how a good action/drama should be done.
Best movie I've ever seen. It's also completely insane.
Mr. Superbad20 August 2002
How can you not like a movie that starts out with a bloody street fight to an instrumental version of The Monkees "I'm a believer"?
When you start watching this you'll probably laugh at some of the sentiment of the beginning, (the three main guys jump rope, ride bikes, and sing together for instance. Go ahead, try not to snicker, you won't succeed.) This is all a perfect setup for the following sucker punch of the most brutally and entertainingly violent and horrifying series of events ever put on film. People are shot in their head, people explode, demonstrators are shot, exploding Cuban cigars, etc. The thing is that this mix of melodrama, action, and violence comes together into a cohesive whole and works amazingly well.
By the end of the film will drain you physically and emotionally from what you have seen, which is probably why so many people would prefer the shorter ending of this movie. The ending fight is one of the best ever filmed, but by the time you get to it you'll be exhausted. Personally, I like the long ending.
Honestly, this is the best movie I have ever seen. It is the best mix of melodrama and violence ever put on film. It's over the top in almost every way imaginable. It's suprisingly moving. I love it.
When you start watching this you'll probably laugh at some of the sentiment of the beginning, (the three main guys jump rope, ride bikes, and sing together for instance. Go ahead, try not to snicker, you won't succeed.) This is all a perfect setup for the following sucker punch of the most brutally and entertainingly violent and horrifying series of events ever put on film. People are shot in their head, people explode, demonstrators are shot, exploding Cuban cigars, etc. The thing is that this mix of melodrama, action, and violence comes together into a cohesive whole and works amazingly well.
By the end of the film will drain you physically and emotionally from what you have seen, which is probably why so many people would prefer the shorter ending of this movie. The ending fight is one of the best ever filmed, but by the time you get to it you'll be exhausted. Personally, I like the long ending.
Honestly, this is the best movie I have ever seen. It is the best mix of melodrama and violence ever put on film. It's over the top in almost every way imaginable. It's suprisingly moving. I love it.
which ending?
ma_teng27 April 2002
Warning: Spoilers
***definite spoilers - beware***
In the cinema version of Bullet in the Head screened in Australia, the film concludes in the boardroom with Jacky Cheung's bullet-punctured skull being unveiled to Waise Lee before his former friend shoots him stone dead in front of the other executives.
An alternative version seen on cable in Taiwan - the one discussed by other reviewers here and often criticised - sees the pair retire somehow (how???) from the boardroom and engage in a protracted and bizarre, almost gladiatorial combat somewhere by the docks of Victoria Harbour (presumably).
The first ending was easily superior and no less bleak; the second suffers terribly in comparison. But despite that, the second ending's ferocity indicates just what John Woo lost when he packed his things and moved to LA. For all of the clumsiness of the second ending, it still rammed home Woo's unrelenting fury at the thought of friendship betrayed. This "non sequitur" ending is redeemed by the honesty of that fury.
Hong Kong movies are (were?) so often like that - short on technical and narrative polish, but long on passion and drive. Compare Broken Arrow, Face/Off and MI2 (or almost all of the films made by other HK expats in recent years) - they're the exact opposite. None of these come close to Bullet in the Head. Woo may never top it.
In the cinema version of Bullet in the Head screened in Australia, the film concludes in the boardroom with Jacky Cheung's bullet-punctured skull being unveiled to Waise Lee before his former friend shoots him stone dead in front of the other executives.
An alternative version seen on cable in Taiwan - the one discussed by other reviewers here and often criticised - sees the pair retire somehow (how???) from the boardroom and engage in a protracted and bizarre, almost gladiatorial combat somewhere by the docks of Victoria Harbour (presumably).
The first ending was easily superior and no less bleak; the second suffers terribly in comparison. But despite that, the second ending's ferocity indicates just what John Woo lost when he packed his things and moved to LA. For all of the clumsiness of the second ending, it still rammed home Woo's unrelenting fury at the thought of friendship betrayed. This "non sequitur" ending is redeemed by the honesty of that fury.
Hong Kong movies are (were?) so often like that - short on technical and narrative polish, but long on passion and drive. Compare Broken Arrow, Face/Off and MI2 (or almost all of the films made by other HK expats in recent years) - they're the exact opposite. None of these come close to Bullet in the Head. Woo may never top it.
Non stop action
Tweekums29 May 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I only bought this because it was part of "The John Woo Collection" and having watched it I'm glad that I bought it as it is a good film although it isn't as good as "The Killer" or "Hard Boiled". The action doesn't stop from the beginning to the end. I was expecting it to be a war film as it is mostly set in Vietnam during the war however it is really an action film that happens to be set during a war.
Three friends decide to flee from Hong Kong when the police are after them for the killing of a local gang leader. They decide to head to Saigon believing they will be able to make a quick buck selling items they brought with them on the black market. Unfortunately for them their items are destroyed when a bomber blows up the taxi they were in during an attack on a high ranking ARVN officer. After witnessing the summary execution of the bomber they realise what they need to make money in Saigon is a gun. They soon meet up with their contact and acquire guns, with these they steal a crate of gold from a local gangster, in the process they rescue a singer who gets wounded in the escape. Their escape plan does not go as well as planned and they find themselves prisoners of the NVA. I've tried to keep the spoilers to a minimum so as not to spoil the story for those who have yet to see it.
As one would expect from a John Woo film there is plenty of action, in fact there is hardly a scene that doesn't involve fighting or shooting. The action looks good if a little unbelievable; our pistol carrying friends seem to be able to beat machine-gun carrying ARVN and NVA soldiers along with a hoard of gangsters. I'd recommend this to anybody who likes action films or is interested in seeing a Vietnam movie that isn't centred on the Americans.
Three friends decide to flee from Hong Kong when the police are after them for the killing of a local gang leader. They decide to head to Saigon believing they will be able to make a quick buck selling items they brought with them on the black market. Unfortunately for them their items are destroyed when a bomber blows up the taxi they were in during an attack on a high ranking ARVN officer. After witnessing the summary execution of the bomber they realise what they need to make money in Saigon is a gun. They soon meet up with their contact and acquire guns, with these they steal a crate of gold from a local gangster, in the process they rescue a singer who gets wounded in the escape. Their escape plan does not go as well as planned and they find themselves prisoners of the NVA. I've tried to keep the spoilers to a minimum so as not to spoil the story for those who have yet to see it.
As one would expect from a John Woo film there is plenty of action, in fact there is hardly a scene that doesn't involve fighting or shooting. The action looks good if a little unbelievable; our pistol carrying friends seem to be able to beat machine-gun carrying ARVN and NVA soldiers along with a hoard of gangsters. I'd recommend this to anybody who likes action films or is interested in seeing a Vietnam movie that isn't centred on the Americans.
Bullet with your name on it...
fmarkland323 September 2006
John Woo directs an absolute merciless Vietnam war drama that is comparable to The Deer Hunter in it's power and is quite possibly one of the greatest movies of Woo's career. The movie follows three trouble-making kids (Tony Leung, Waise Lee and Jackie Cheung) who are exiled to Vietnam to escape the Hong Kong authorities after a rival gang member is killed by them, once in Saigon the run into "The Viet Cong" who are far worse than the HK authorities and their rival gang and what the V.C do to our trio makes them regret in all their hearts that they didn't go to prison in the much safer Hong Kong. A Bullet In The Head would be a tale about friendship overcoming the hard times of war, if the friendships in the movie actually prevailed. Instead the movie gives us a heart wrenching look at war and what it does to the three friends in the movie. The kids in the movie are in the beginning not very sympathetic and give off the impression that they deserve what they get but once they go to Vietnam you realize just how much in over their head they are and Woo filters the emotion from this situation and effectively conveys a story that is hard to watch but very rewarding nonetheless. After witnessing the debacle of Windtalkers I decided to see if Woo could direct war, well it goes without saying this blows that one out of the water. This is up there with Hard Boiled and The Killer as Woo's best film.
* * * * out of 4-(Excellent. A Must See!)
* * * * out of 4-(Excellent. A Must See!)
Woo at his best...
poe4267 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Despite the inclusion of a cut made famous by "the prefab four," this is John Woo at his best. Sentimental to the point of being sappy? Sure, but that's one of the things that all of Woo's pre-Hollywood films seemed to have in common. There's nothing wrong with that, either- not in this context (nor in subsequent films). Over the top? You bet your hairy butt. BULLET IN THE HEAD boasts some of the smoothest, most fluid super slo-mo shootouts in movie history. Though I would rate it lower on the scale than THE KILLER, A BETTER TOMORROW or (my favorite) HARD-BOILED, BULLET IN THE HEAD is most definitely in the same league. If you're one of those people fortunate enough to live near friends who share your appreciation for spectacular, over the top fare, get together and rent and watch BULLET IN THE HEAD. It's got a little something for everyone (even her).
a trip into violence
arara2 November 1999
I saw this film once with my friends and it ruined our nerves. This film grabs and doesn´t let loose till its finished. It is the only film I ever saw that had violence really, not only so to say, non-stop. Even if the guys crossed a street or bought something to eat the bullet-showers didn´t stop. Watching this film is a nightmare because it just doesn´t stop till nearly everyone is dead. What it makes so attracting is the fact, that it works, this film is the climax of its genre, it is hard to imagine that any film can be more focused on violence than this film. Its also hard to tell entertainment from rejection and thats what John Woo can do better than anyone. His intensity in violence is close to Pasolinis 120 Days Of Sodom And Gomorrha and some films of David Lynch, but he does it in his own unique consequent ways, which certainly generated a new set a new style and standard in filming. This film though not so amusing as hard boiled got 10 instead of 9 because of its extraordinary strangeness. Watch this film and be sure to have a good beer with friends afterwards to come down again, otherwise your sleep will be affected.
Not totally bad, but needs a lot of explaining
thebeautifulones28 December 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I don't usually rate movies badly, so I'll give 7/10 because the actors all acted well given the limited material.
Ben, Paul and Frank are all characters that are very real. Frank as the friend who is constantly being beaten up by his mum, but is totally loyal to Ben and Paul; Paul, the good friend turned bad, convincingly played by Waise Lee, though how his character eventually joins a company, or how TLCW's character, Ben has a son is not well explained. From the time frame of the movie, it didn't seem that they were in Vietnam for very long, for this I feel the producers should have explained how long Ben was away in Vietnam. The last part of the movie where there is a showdown between Ben and Paul seems to dominate, and hence makes the plot look as though it is hanging from the threads.
What a pity, they had some really good actors in this movie, but the plot needs greater development...remake, anyone?
Ben, Paul and Frank are all characters that are very real. Frank as the friend who is constantly being beaten up by his mum, but is totally loyal to Ben and Paul; Paul, the good friend turned bad, convincingly played by Waise Lee, though how his character eventually joins a company, or how TLCW's character, Ben has a son is not well explained. From the time frame of the movie, it didn't seem that they were in Vietnam for very long, for this I feel the producers should have explained how long Ben was away in Vietnam. The last part of the movie where there is a showdown between Ben and Paul seems to dominate, and hence makes the plot look as though it is hanging from the threads.
What a pity, they had some really good actors in this movie, but the plot needs greater development...remake, anyone?
The greatest HK movie ever made
Libretio17 January 2005
BULLET IN THE HEAD (Die Xie Jie Tou)
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Sound format: Mono
Fleeing from a murder rap during the political turmoil of 1960's Hong Kong, three devoted friends (Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Jacky Cheung and Waise Lee) seek their fortunes in war-torn Vietnam and are ripped apart by greed and betrayal.
John Woo's ambitious movie - an operatic valentine to his youth in HK and his love of David Lean epics, and a response to the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989 - went over-schedule and flopped at the local box-office when released in 1990, but has since been recognized as one of the finest productions in HK film history. Newcomers Leung, Cheung and Lee are terrific as the three friends whose lives are devastated by the violence they encounter in a foreign land, and they're matched throughout by Simon Yam as the Eurasian hit-man who rescues them from the worst of their experiences. For all its explosions and gun play, however, BULLET IN THE HEAD is a very human drama, played out against the vast backdrop of the Vietnam conflict, and invested with a palpable sense of love and compassion for its leading characters. Cinematography and editing are world-class, and Woo's dark-hearted script (co-written by Patrick Leung and Janet Chin) incorporates the themes of loyalty and brotherhood which have shaped and defined all of his films since A BETTER TOMORROW (1986). Cheung's final scene is absolutely heartbreaking; classic score by James Wong and Romeo Diaz.
(Cantonese dialogue)
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Sound format: Mono
Fleeing from a murder rap during the political turmoil of 1960's Hong Kong, three devoted friends (Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Jacky Cheung and Waise Lee) seek their fortunes in war-torn Vietnam and are ripped apart by greed and betrayal.
John Woo's ambitious movie - an operatic valentine to his youth in HK and his love of David Lean epics, and a response to the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989 - went over-schedule and flopped at the local box-office when released in 1990, but has since been recognized as one of the finest productions in HK film history. Newcomers Leung, Cheung and Lee are terrific as the three friends whose lives are devastated by the violence they encounter in a foreign land, and they're matched throughout by Simon Yam as the Eurasian hit-man who rescues them from the worst of their experiences. For all its explosions and gun play, however, BULLET IN THE HEAD is a very human drama, played out against the vast backdrop of the Vietnam conflict, and invested with a palpable sense of love and compassion for its leading characters. Cinematography and editing are world-class, and Woo's dark-hearted script (co-written by Patrick Leung and Janet Chin) incorporates the themes of loyalty and brotherhood which have shaped and defined all of his films since A BETTER TOMORROW (1986). Cheung's final scene is absolutely heartbreaking; classic score by James Wong and Romeo Diaz.
(Cantonese dialogue)
A million bullets and a bucket of blood
mrpentax31 October 2000
This movie will give adults bad dreams. I wish I had a buck for every bullet that was fired in this movie. If you have any value of human life, this film will sicken you. It is way too bloody and whatever the moral story, it's killed by friendly fire.
Bad executed
mieriks19 December 2023
This movie, about three close friends who escape from Hong Kong to war-time Saigon to start a criminal's life, is a bad crime movie.
It has a lot of practical effects, props and extras, which could have made the movie to such an entertaining one overall, but unfortunately, it gets heavily overshadowed by the disappointing storyline, dialogues, actors and other technical aspects. Several elements in the story didn't make sense, the actors weren't really good, and there was very little flow because of the dialogue and the weird editing. As said, the practical effects are great, and it's noticeable that the main focus has been on those elements, but usually there has to be something more than that, which I don't think it is in this case.
This movie's visual elements are impressive, but its narrative, dialogue, and acting fall short, leaving a disjointed and unsatisfying experience.
It has a lot of practical effects, props and extras, which could have made the movie to such an entertaining one overall, but unfortunately, it gets heavily overshadowed by the disappointing storyline, dialogues, actors and other technical aspects. Several elements in the story didn't make sense, the actors weren't really good, and there was very little flow because of the dialogue and the weird editing. As said, the practical effects are great, and it's noticeable that the main focus has been on those elements, but usually there has to be something more than that, which I don't think it is in this case.
This movie's visual elements are impressive, but its narrative, dialogue, and acting fall short, leaving a disjointed and unsatisfying experience.
Very powerful movie
petep30 August 2003
Wow, an amazing film. I've been a big John Woo fan for a few years, and this is the last major film of his I've gotten around to seeing. The action scenes are incredible, as to be expected. Not as much action as The Killer or the record-holding Hard Boiled, but still a lot of exciting stuff. This is also a really moving drama. Jackie Cheung in particular was amazing. Of his three acting nominations that year, this was the leading actor nomination he earned at the Hong Kong Film Awards, and I can't believe he didn't win. The POW sequence was so sad, so tragic, so powerful, so moving. Maybe The Deer Hunter was as moving to me. Maybe.
Anyway, this truly is John Woo's Apocalypse Now. An unforgettable drama, not just because it's a memorable, high quality, and entertaining film, but because of the emotional impact the events have on the characters and it'll have on you. 10/10
Anyway, this truly is John Woo's Apocalypse Now. An unforgettable drama, not just because it's a memorable, high quality, and entertaining film, but because of the emotional impact the events have on the characters and it'll have on you. 10/10
Poignant and unprecedented film which is emotionally disturbing.
ChoiBaby20 March 1999
One of the most intense, powerful, and profound cinematic motion pictures. BULLET IN THE HEAD (The original Cantonese title is known as DIE XUE JIE TOU.) is mesmerizing and perplexing, yet equally emotional motion picture that gives the audience a completely different perspective on the Vietnam War...and how this event has changed the lives of three friends forever.
Ben (Tony Leung), Frank (Jacky Cheung), and Paul (Waise Lee) are three companions who have decided to escape from the perils of their native homeland in Hong Kong. Since Ben and his other two friends wanted to escape from their troublesome pasts, they felt that they could start over and make new, enriching lives for themselves. The three saw opportunity in the country of Vietnam. Little do these three realized that no matter where they would settle, violence was bound to ensue.
In 1967, the conflict between North and South Vietnam has elevated. Riots have been precipitated, fear and panic are widespread, and carnage is rampant. The three main characters are unfortunately caught in the middle of the Vietnam War. Eventually, more mayhem is not far behind.
As the three are trapped and incarcerated in the prisons of the Vietcong main quarters, their friendship with each other is slowly disintegrating...their lives hang in the balance... Whether all three of them can trust each other now and make it out alive is a question that remains ambiguous...
BULLET IN THE HEAD is one of the most sickening albeit cathartic films the viewer will ever witness. Director John Woo is definitely one of the most contemporary action directors around. He spares no punches or bullets with his incredible bursts of action sequences; yet he can still deliver a striking message about the powers of morality and how a humane attitude can help overcome all opposition. BULLET IN THE HEAD has more than enough action to satiate viewers of effervescent action films. There are tons of explosions, shoot-outs, and an even riveting helicopter rescue mission that is a true, vivid climax. These haunting images of BULLET IN THE HEAD, from the unspeakable acts of slaughter, to the moments where friendships triumph over all, will paint an indelible picture in one's mind.
BULLET IN THE HEAD is an unconventional, action-packed film that is moving and enthralling. The disturbing violence in this movie grips the audience as it coerces them to feel the pain. BULLET IN THE HEAD, instead of glorifying violence, rather shows the anguish, the abhorrence, and the abomination of how a once potentially prosperous country now lays in shambles thanks to the devastating war. Cities have been destroyed, villages are burned, and lives are forever scarred, physically and mentally.
Through the experiences of three unlikely heroes in BULLET IN THE HEAD, the viewer can commiserate with all the suffering the people in Vietnam have tangibly felt. The realism of the atrocities of the Vietnam War are captured thanks to the astute direction by John Woo.
BULLET IN THE HEAD is one movie which will adhere to your thoughts forever, even if you watch it only once. This film has excellent action scenes, and a constant mix of feelings as the movie jerks around with the character's emotions. They range from victorious, to heartbroken, to horrific. The cast, including the three leads along with Simon Yam and Fennie Yuen are excellent.
BULLET IN THE HEAD may well be John Woo's best film. Although the graphic violence in BULLET IN THE HEAD is unbearable, it is not gratuitous. The inhumanity of the supercilious villains is shown as they evoke trepidation in their victim's eyes. BULLET IN THE HEAD is one violent, relentlessly brutal yet provocative thriller.
If you feel that you are mature enough to handle the violence in BULLET IN THE HEAD, then by all means, rent this film. You'll discover the true brilliance of John Woo in this rarely seen film in America. He has talent for creating some of the most versatile action films ever! Thrills, character development, and a thought-provoking plot all commingle together in BULLET IN THE HEAD. This is one movie that is impossible to watch throughout its entire duration without cringing, but the chance to see this rare gem is well worth the time.
RATING: ***1/2 out of ****.
Ben (Tony Leung), Frank (Jacky Cheung), and Paul (Waise Lee) are three companions who have decided to escape from the perils of their native homeland in Hong Kong. Since Ben and his other two friends wanted to escape from their troublesome pasts, they felt that they could start over and make new, enriching lives for themselves. The three saw opportunity in the country of Vietnam. Little do these three realized that no matter where they would settle, violence was bound to ensue.
In 1967, the conflict between North and South Vietnam has elevated. Riots have been precipitated, fear and panic are widespread, and carnage is rampant. The three main characters are unfortunately caught in the middle of the Vietnam War. Eventually, more mayhem is not far behind.
As the three are trapped and incarcerated in the prisons of the Vietcong main quarters, their friendship with each other is slowly disintegrating...their lives hang in the balance... Whether all three of them can trust each other now and make it out alive is a question that remains ambiguous...
BULLET IN THE HEAD is one of the most sickening albeit cathartic films the viewer will ever witness. Director John Woo is definitely one of the most contemporary action directors around. He spares no punches or bullets with his incredible bursts of action sequences; yet he can still deliver a striking message about the powers of morality and how a humane attitude can help overcome all opposition. BULLET IN THE HEAD has more than enough action to satiate viewers of effervescent action films. There are tons of explosions, shoot-outs, and an even riveting helicopter rescue mission that is a true, vivid climax. These haunting images of BULLET IN THE HEAD, from the unspeakable acts of slaughter, to the moments where friendships triumph over all, will paint an indelible picture in one's mind.
BULLET IN THE HEAD is an unconventional, action-packed film that is moving and enthralling. The disturbing violence in this movie grips the audience as it coerces them to feel the pain. BULLET IN THE HEAD, instead of glorifying violence, rather shows the anguish, the abhorrence, and the abomination of how a once potentially prosperous country now lays in shambles thanks to the devastating war. Cities have been destroyed, villages are burned, and lives are forever scarred, physically and mentally.
Through the experiences of three unlikely heroes in BULLET IN THE HEAD, the viewer can commiserate with all the suffering the people in Vietnam have tangibly felt. The realism of the atrocities of the Vietnam War are captured thanks to the astute direction by John Woo.
BULLET IN THE HEAD is one movie which will adhere to your thoughts forever, even if you watch it only once. This film has excellent action scenes, and a constant mix of feelings as the movie jerks around with the character's emotions. They range from victorious, to heartbroken, to horrific. The cast, including the three leads along with Simon Yam and Fennie Yuen are excellent.
BULLET IN THE HEAD may well be John Woo's best film. Although the graphic violence in BULLET IN THE HEAD is unbearable, it is not gratuitous. The inhumanity of the supercilious villains is shown as they evoke trepidation in their victim's eyes. BULLET IN THE HEAD is one violent, relentlessly brutal yet provocative thriller.
If you feel that you are mature enough to handle the violence in BULLET IN THE HEAD, then by all means, rent this film. You'll discover the true brilliance of John Woo in this rarely seen film in America. He has talent for creating some of the most versatile action films ever! Thrills, character development, and a thought-provoking plot all commingle together in BULLET IN THE HEAD. This is one movie that is impossible to watch throughout its entire duration without cringing, but the chance to see this rare gem is well worth the time.
RATING: ***1/2 out of ****.
A hallucinatory action epic
ExpendableMan17 April 2007
If you've never seen a John Woo movie before, you're in for one hell of a surprise about forty minutes into Bullet in the Head. Up until this point, there has been violence in the film but it has mostly been restricted to street level brawling, clashes between armed police and war protesters in Saigon and punch ups in Hong Kong slums. Then at the height of an argument in a Triad owned nightclub, things get turned up to eleven as Waise Lee pulls a machine gun from out of a piano and massacres an entire room full of gangsters in one breathtaking swoop. After this, things barely let up as Woo mixes in harrowing prison camp madness with over the top gun battles. If this implies that Bullet in the Head has no heart however then nothing could be further from the truth; not only is this an incredibly violent movie, it might also be Woo's most emotional.
Stamped over everything is in the indelible trace of the Tiananmen square massacre, which might explain the film's poor showing in Hong Kong, where it played to the people who faced it first hand far too soon for them to embrace it. Over fifteen years later though, Bullet In The Head could do with a reappraisal so that it might stand on its own two feet, rather than simply being viewed as an Eastern alternative to The Deer Hunter or Apocalypse Now.
The Eastern setting though provides a fresh spin on the Vietnam war which had already been captured on camera by an America eager to exorcise the ghosts of the war. The story of three ghetto youths (Waise Lee, Jackie Cheung and future superstar Tony Leung) forced to flee Hong Kong, it captures them in their early days before sending them to Saigon, where the trio intend to take advantage of the war and make a fortune. Needless to say, things do not go entirely as planned and they have to flee once more with a box filled with gold they have captured from a local kingpin. Unfortunately for them, there is nowhere to run but into the Vietcong-infected jungle...
For the first time, the true scale of the war is made readily apparent. In the East, it is sometimes known as The Second Indochina War as the conflict didn't restrict itself to Vietnam itself, spilling over into neighbouring Cambodia and Laos and affecting everyday citizens of countries who weren't even involved. Woo's vision of the 1960's Far East is one of unprecedented chaos triggered by the clash of Capitalist and Communist ideologies, where suicide bombs are detonated in traffic jams and citizens plucked from the street to have their heads blown off by overzealous military police. It's an uncompromising vision and no mistake.
All of this is told from the eyes of our heroic trio and the effects of the war leave an impression on all of them. Their friendship is tested to the limit and watching it dissolving, counter-cut with earlier moments when they were smiling, happy youngsters is nigh on heartbreaking. Corny yes, but still heartbreaking.
However, for those of you have seen a John Woo film before and want action on an unprecedented scale, well look no further. The aforementioned nightclub battle is just an impressive iceberg tip, as Woo hurtles the characters from one set piece to the next with a riotous enthusiasm. A riverside gun fight keeps things moving, followed by skirmishes in the jungle and a breath taking helicopter assault on a Vietcong camp, bullets flying in all directions as fireballs bloom upwards and bodies contort in slow motion death rattles. Provided you've got the unedited version, you'll also see a climactic car duel that is better than anything he has done since moving to the States.
Action junkies then will be well sated but what about the rest of us who want bold, creative film making that doesn't have to rely on helicopter explosions to make a point? Well, Bullet in the Head delivers four career defining performances from the leads, a cathartic and emotional script, a harrowing impression of a world with a collapsing social order and a stark political message on the worries of Hong Kong citizens regarding their fate in the 1997 handover. All that's missing is a love story...oh wait, there's one at the beginning. Admittedly, sometimes it is a bit too violent for its own good and Woo could have eased off the throttle to let it breathe a bit, but this is still a film worth catching and a career high point for the auteur.
Stamped over everything is in the indelible trace of the Tiananmen square massacre, which might explain the film's poor showing in Hong Kong, where it played to the people who faced it first hand far too soon for them to embrace it. Over fifteen years later though, Bullet In The Head could do with a reappraisal so that it might stand on its own two feet, rather than simply being viewed as an Eastern alternative to The Deer Hunter or Apocalypse Now.
The Eastern setting though provides a fresh spin on the Vietnam war which had already been captured on camera by an America eager to exorcise the ghosts of the war. The story of three ghetto youths (Waise Lee, Jackie Cheung and future superstar Tony Leung) forced to flee Hong Kong, it captures them in their early days before sending them to Saigon, where the trio intend to take advantage of the war and make a fortune. Needless to say, things do not go entirely as planned and they have to flee once more with a box filled with gold they have captured from a local kingpin. Unfortunately for them, there is nowhere to run but into the Vietcong-infected jungle...
For the first time, the true scale of the war is made readily apparent. In the East, it is sometimes known as The Second Indochina War as the conflict didn't restrict itself to Vietnam itself, spilling over into neighbouring Cambodia and Laos and affecting everyday citizens of countries who weren't even involved. Woo's vision of the 1960's Far East is one of unprecedented chaos triggered by the clash of Capitalist and Communist ideologies, where suicide bombs are detonated in traffic jams and citizens plucked from the street to have their heads blown off by overzealous military police. It's an uncompromising vision and no mistake.
All of this is told from the eyes of our heroic trio and the effects of the war leave an impression on all of them. Their friendship is tested to the limit and watching it dissolving, counter-cut with earlier moments when they were smiling, happy youngsters is nigh on heartbreaking. Corny yes, but still heartbreaking.
However, for those of you have seen a John Woo film before and want action on an unprecedented scale, well look no further. The aforementioned nightclub battle is just an impressive iceberg tip, as Woo hurtles the characters from one set piece to the next with a riotous enthusiasm. A riverside gun fight keeps things moving, followed by skirmishes in the jungle and a breath taking helicopter assault on a Vietcong camp, bullets flying in all directions as fireballs bloom upwards and bodies contort in slow motion death rattles. Provided you've got the unedited version, you'll also see a climactic car duel that is better than anything he has done since moving to the States.
Action junkies then will be well sated but what about the rest of us who want bold, creative film making that doesn't have to rely on helicopter explosions to make a point? Well, Bullet in the Head delivers four career defining performances from the leads, a cathartic and emotional script, a harrowing impression of a world with a collapsing social order and a stark political message on the worries of Hong Kong citizens regarding their fate in the 1997 handover. All that's missing is a love story...oh wait, there's one at the beginning. Admittedly, sometimes it is a bit too violent for its own good and Woo could have eased off the throttle to let it breathe a bit, but this is still a film worth catching and a career high point for the auteur.
Decent, but slow *maybe spoilers*
TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews26 October 2003
Warning: Spoilers
Before seeing this movie, I didn't believe what everybody were saying, about Chinese movie synchronization. I had no idea it was so bad. It partially ruined a few of the early action scenes, but after a while I got used to it. What I couldn't get used to, however, was the incredibly slow, boring plot. I could barely follow it, much less stand to watch the whole thing. I quit after watching about an hour or so of it. Another thing is the way it makes the US out to be heroes, triumphing over "evil" Vietcong. Apart from all this, I still enjoyed some of the action scenes. Not as good as a lot of other action movies, for example John Woos own Face/Off, but still good. If you want a good action movie, you should watch something else. If you don't mind a slow movie with a bad ending(In my opinion, anyway) and with pretty good action, watch this. 6/10
A masterclass in action and drama
Leofwine_draca19 December 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I've long been a fan of John Woo's films ever since I saw my first, HARD TARGET, about a decade ago. While I still love that movie, I'm aware that many of Woo's Chinese films are considered far superior to anything he's done in Hollywood. HARD-BOILED is a favourite thanks to the intense action but, having just watched BULLET IN THE HEAD, I can appreciate that this is perhaps his most intense and emotional film yet.
The story is a simple one: three young friends, all male, all ambitious, find themselves on the wrong side of the law in Vietnam, caught up with smugglers and the Vietcong army. What follows is an odyssey of discovery and heartbreak in equal measure. Woo focuses on the darker side of life (and death), making this his most downbeat yet. What happens is tragic and moving, yet captured with skilled direction and masterful action sequences that make it utterly compelling. It reminded me a little of the Korean war film BROTHEROOD, although this is superior.
The three young stars, Leung, Cheung, and Lee, each put in great performances on different sides of the spectrum. Leung is the clear-cut hero, with a conscience; Lee is the one sidetracked by a lust for riches, and Cheung is the comic relief, the one who finds himself in all sorts of scrapes. There's also a brilliant turn from Simon Yam who should have won an Oscar for his supporting performance here – it's the best I've ever seen him and makes me appreciate him as an actor far more than I did previously.
The movie is action-packed and has plenty of brilliant moments. Grenades, sticks of dynamites disguised as cigars, Vietcong torture and a car chase: it's all here, all pulse-pounding. The shoot-out in the bad guy's den recalls SCARFACE in terms of sheer over-the-top carnage, and takes some beating. The finale is over-the-top but works well, and in between we have all sorts of other stuff going down. The Vietcong prison camp sequence is one of the most powerful and disturbing I've seen filmed and it's pretty hard to watch. Blood often flows across the screen in this film and it's definitely not one for the faint hearted. Saying that, I can't help but view this as a masterpiece and a film which should be far better known than it currently is.
The story is a simple one: three young friends, all male, all ambitious, find themselves on the wrong side of the law in Vietnam, caught up with smugglers and the Vietcong army. What follows is an odyssey of discovery and heartbreak in equal measure. Woo focuses on the darker side of life (and death), making this his most downbeat yet. What happens is tragic and moving, yet captured with skilled direction and masterful action sequences that make it utterly compelling. It reminded me a little of the Korean war film BROTHEROOD, although this is superior.
The three young stars, Leung, Cheung, and Lee, each put in great performances on different sides of the spectrum. Leung is the clear-cut hero, with a conscience; Lee is the one sidetracked by a lust for riches, and Cheung is the comic relief, the one who finds himself in all sorts of scrapes. There's also a brilliant turn from Simon Yam who should have won an Oscar for his supporting performance here – it's the best I've ever seen him and makes me appreciate him as an actor far more than I did previously.
The movie is action-packed and has plenty of brilliant moments. Grenades, sticks of dynamites disguised as cigars, Vietcong torture and a car chase: it's all here, all pulse-pounding. The shoot-out in the bad guy's den recalls SCARFACE in terms of sheer over-the-top carnage, and takes some beating. The finale is over-the-top but works well, and in between we have all sorts of other stuff going down. The Vietcong prison camp sequence is one of the most powerful and disturbing I've seen filmed and it's pretty hard to watch. Blood often flows across the screen in this film and it's definitely not one for the faint hearted. Saying that, I can't help but view this as a masterpiece and a film which should be far better known than it currently is.
John Woo's cry out to Hark Tsui for hijacking his franchise and jeopardizing their friendship
jimniexperience11 April 2018
Three friends want out of Hong Kong and make it big overseas. After a beating turned murder they get their wish and must flee to Vietnam. The war is happening and there's anarchy on the streets , the only way to gain power is through a gun. With the help of Luke , the three friends get lots of guns, do big heists, and play Romeo in their spare time . But when a crate of gold falls in one of the friends lap , things get messy between the friendship .
Some say this is the true A Better Tomorrow 3 , but I say this is John Woo's cry out to Hark Tsui for hijacking his franchise and jeopardizing their friendship. This is definitely his heaviest movie , like pressing a weight on your soul.
Some say this is the true A Better Tomorrow 3 , but I say this is John Woo's cry out to Hark Tsui for hijacking his franchise and jeopardizing their friendship. This is definitely his heaviest movie , like pressing a weight on your soul.
Heroic Bloodshed on the grandest possible scale never seen before or after
fongyellowsandyfield22 September 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Saw BITH on DVD last night after watching it once years ago on TV. I found it surprising the impression it gave me this time is completely different. I did not actually seem to be impressed by it at all when it was shown on a local TV channel, but is now completely overwhelmed when I watched it again on DVD last night. I suppose this movie must be enjoyed uninterrupted by TV commercials, in order to get to grips with the atmosphere it created. From casual and light-hearted to brutal and dead-serious. In other words, it requires no less than totally focused attention from the audience.
I'd like to clear the air for those fans who considered this movie involving the war in IndoChina is something of a first for Woo. Woo actually did a little-known jungle warfare movie called "Ying xiong wei lei" (Heros Shed No Tears) in the early 80's on a shoestring budget, of a story about the Thai government hires group of Chinese mercenaries to capture powerful drug-lord from Golden Triangle, before he became famous in 1986 for his gangster classic "A Better Tomorrow".
In BITH Woo succeeded in recreating the nostalgic look and feel of the 1960's Hong Kong and Vietnam. The characters and events all appeared so genuine and real. I appreciate it as a great movie from the following angles:
In Hong Kong the street lives of those gangster youths vividly coincided with the anti-British riots in the then Crown Colony. The three protagonists living life in poverty, turf wars and a little romance over a backdrop of terrifying bombing campaign waged by pro-Chairman Mao rioters met by brutal clampdown from the Hong Kong police in full riot gears, all being exactly shown as how it would look in those unforgettable days. The scene showing a British bomb disposal expert deactivating a bomb is very true. I still remember in real life seeing the gruesome news picture of one of these guys got his arm blown off while doing such a nasty job in the Wanchai district. All these strongly convinces the audience why the three friends, apart from a murder case hanging over two of them, have good reasons to leave and go somewhere else.
In Saigon the endless anti-war street protests leading to violent bloodshed, dare-devil assassinations met by ruthless summary executions, the ever present pack of International photo-journalists chasing after their opportunity of a good news story, Chinese businessmen living in the country wheeling and dealing with the Vietnamese from North and South. Those (mainly Americans and other foreigners) who had the means enjoy themselves in seedy nightclubs as if nothing unusual was happening outside, where life was so chaotic that looters could be anybody including the soldiers.
In the Vietnamese jungle the three friends and the local hit-man character went through a harsh lesson of survival, including escape through unfamiliar terrain, intense firefights, frequent bickering, unsavory POW camp rituals and a spectacular last-minute rescue by commandos and helicopters. A lesson of survival in which the temptation of getting rich quick was too much for one of the friends to resist, leading to more tragic events. Although some of the scenes would remotely remind audience of Hollywood movie "The Deer Hunter", the fact is that the two are very different in many ways. Just as you can't really say "The Great Escape" and "The Bridge on River Kwai" are similar.
Back in Hong Kong, the two friends who managed to return had to confront each other in a finale that brought the whole story like a roller-coaster to an abrupt end.
IMHO BITH is Heroic Bloodshed on the grandest possible scale never seen before or after.
I'd like to clear the air for those fans who considered this movie involving the war in IndoChina is something of a first for Woo. Woo actually did a little-known jungle warfare movie called "Ying xiong wei lei" (Heros Shed No Tears) in the early 80's on a shoestring budget, of a story about the Thai government hires group of Chinese mercenaries to capture powerful drug-lord from Golden Triangle, before he became famous in 1986 for his gangster classic "A Better Tomorrow".
In BITH Woo succeeded in recreating the nostalgic look and feel of the 1960's Hong Kong and Vietnam. The characters and events all appeared so genuine and real. I appreciate it as a great movie from the following angles:
In Hong Kong the street lives of those gangster youths vividly coincided with the anti-British riots in the then Crown Colony. The three protagonists living life in poverty, turf wars and a little romance over a backdrop of terrifying bombing campaign waged by pro-Chairman Mao rioters met by brutal clampdown from the Hong Kong police in full riot gears, all being exactly shown as how it would look in those unforgettable days. The scene showing a British bomb disposal expert deactivating a bomb is very true. I still remember in real life seeing the gruesome news picture of one of these guys got his arm blown off while doing such a nasty job in the Wanchai district. All these strongly convinces the audience why the three friends, apart from a murder case hanging over two of them, have good reasons to leave and go somewhere else.
In Saigon the endless anti-war street protests leading to violent bloodshed, dare-devil assassinations met by ruthless summary executions, the ever present pack of International photo-journalists chasing after their opportunity of a good news story, Chinese businessmen living in the country wheeling and dealing with the Vietnamese from North and South. Those (mainly Americans and other foreigners) who had the means enjoy themselves in seedy nightclubs as if nothing unusual was happening outside, where life was so chaotic that looters could be anybody including the soldiers.
In the Vietnamese jungle the three friends and the local hit-man character went through a harsh lesson of survival, including escape through unfamiliar terrain, intense firefights, frequent bickering, unsavory POW camp rituals and a spectacular last-minute rescue by commandos and helicopters. A lesson of survival in which the temptation of getting rich quick was too much for one of the friends to resist, leading to more tragic events. Although some of the scenes would remotely remind audience of Hollywood movie "The Deer Hunter", the fact is that the two are very different in many ways. Just as you can't really say "The Great Escape" and "The Bridge on River Kwai" are similar.
Back in Hong Kong, the two friends who managed to return had to confront each other in a finale that brought the whole story like a roller-coaster to an abrupt end.
IMHO BITH is Heroic Bloodshed on the grandest possible scale never seen before or after.
Epic Woo
billcr1212 July 2012
John Woo made action films in China before hitting Hollywood, and Bullet in the Head was consistent with his later work.
Three friends in Hong Kong of 1967, Ben, Paul, and Frank become part of a gang in their youth, fighting rivals in the bustling city. Years later, Ben marries Jane at a wedding paid for with money from a loan shark, Mr. Kwai. On his way to the event, Frank is robbed by gang members, lead by a guy named Ringo. Frank and Ben find him at a bar and kill him. The next day, with the police in hot pursuit, Frank, Ben and Paul travel to Vietnam after hearing of a lucrative smuggling trade there.
Bad luck follows them as a suicide bomber blows up all their goods and they are arrested as suspects. They are beaten by interrogators, and when the real bomber is found, it is a young boy who is executed quickly. Frank vomits when he sees the kid shot.
They make their way to a nightclub and brothel to see a singer named Sally, who has been tricked into prostitution, and so they plan a elaborate escape with her, but she gets shot and the four surviving men take a boat up river with gold that they have stolen. The boat breaks down and they are captured by the Vietkong. With the gold is a list of CIZ agents with maps, which the three guys know nothing about; wrong place, wrong time. The VC torture them but they eventually manage to escape. The violence is frequent, with plenty of shootings, and the three main actors are good. The story is interesting with a surprising conclusion.
Three friends in Hong Kong of 1967, Ben, Paul, and Frank become part of a gang in their youth, fighting rivals in the bustling city. Years later, Ben marries Jane at a wedding paid for with money from a loan shark, Mr. Kwai. On his way to the event, Frank is robbed by gang members, lead by a guy named Ringo. Frank and Ben find him at a bar and kill him. The next day, with the police in hot pursuit, Frank, Ben and Paul travel to Vietnam after hearing of a lucrative smuggling trade there.
Bad luck follows them as a suicide bomber blows up all their goods and they are arrested as suspects. They are beaten by interrogators, and when the real bomber is found, it is a young boy who is executed quickly. Frank vomits when he sees the kid shot.
They make their way to a nightclub and brothel to see a singer named Sally, who has been tricked into prostitution, and so they plan a elaborate escape with her, but she gets shot and the four surviving men take a boat up river with gold that they have stolen. The boat breaks down and they are captured by the Vietkong. With the gold is a list of CIZ agents with maps, which the three guys know nothing about; wrong place, wrong time. The VC torture them but they eventually manage to escape. The violence is frequent, with plenty of shootings, and the three main actors are good. The story is interesting with a surprising conclusion.
definitively a must seen!!
moviemoost5 January 2003
Today I saw a soldier kill a man and I learnt something. In this world, we can do anything if we have guns!
hitchcockthelegend21 May 2011
Die xue jie tou (AKA: Bullet in the Head) is directed, co-written, co-edited and produced by John Woo. It stars Tony Leung, Jacky Cheung, Waise Lee and Simon Yam.
1967 and three Hong Kong friends leave behind a violent incident and aim to earn their fortune in war-time Saigon. Getting mixed up in the war because of their criminal activities, the friends encounter the Viet Cong and it sets off a chain of events that will change and shatter their hopes, dreams and lives forever.
It was originally planned to be a prequel to A Better Tomorrow, but with Woo falling out with producer Tsui Hark, he decided to rework the script into what is now Bullet in the Head. Taking inspiration from the Tiananmen Square incident, and no doubt nodding appreciatively in the direction of The Deer Hunter, Woo self financed the film and set about creating an epic. Which he did, an apparently 3 hour + epic that was promptly ordered to be sliced down into something more compact. What that means is there are a number of different cuts of the film available, depending how far you wish to pursue a cut that is. On release it flopped in its native country, but as Hong Kong cinema became popular in America and Europe, the film has garnered much critical praise, with some critics even proclaiming it the best Hong Kong movie ever made.
It's a deeply affecting movie, one that contains all the bullets and violent carnage so befitting its creator. And it finds the director at his most personal, most political and dealing high in morality. One can guess that the original cut would have been a near masterpiece of cohesion and emotional fortitude, as it stands now, it plays like two halves shunted together without any care for flow and substance. The first half plays out like a Woo gangster piece, characters are introduced, formed and get involved in bloodshed. Then it's on to Vietnam and the film starts to follow a distressing course, before we come full circle and Woo gets his sledgehammer back out to close with a bone crunching thud.
The action is superb, an assault on the eyes and the ears, with the cast providing an energy that's a joy to behold. While the emotional threads that Woo pulls at really are upsetting and hold the attention in a vice like grip. At times visceral and uncompromising, at others tender and panging the heart, it's very much a film operating on more than one front. But with that comes moments of alienation and snatches of incoherence, and that brings on the onset of frustration. The end result being a film that's essential for Honk Kong connoisseurs, but difficult to recommend to first timers looking for a Honk Kong starting point.
Ambitious, lively and emotionally sharp, it however isn't quite a satisfying whole. 7/10
1967 and three Hong Kong friends leave behind a violent incident and aim to earn their fortune in war-time Saigon. Getting mixed up in the war because of their criminal activities, the friends encounter the Viet Cong and it sets off a chain of events that will change and shatter their hopes, dreams and lives forever.
It was originally planned to be a prequel to A Better Tomorrow, but with Woo falling out with producer Tsui Hark, he decided to rework the script into what is now Bullet in the Head. Taking inspiration from the Tiananmen Square incident, and no doubt nodding appreciatively in the direction of The Deer Hunter, Woo self financed the film and set about creating an epic. Which he did, an apparently 3 hour + epic that was promptly ordered to be sliced down into something more compact. What that means is there are a number of different cuts of the film available, depending how far you wish to pursue a cut that is. On release it flopped in its native country, but as Hong Kong cinema became popular in America and Europe, the film has garnered much critical praise, with some critics even proclaiming it the best Hong Kong movie ever made.
It's a deeply affecting movie, one that contains all the bullets and violent carnage so befitting its creator. And it finds the director at his most personal, most political and dealing high in morality. One can guess that the original cut would have been a near masterpiece of cohesion and emotional fortitude, as it stands now, it plays like two halves shunted together without any care for flow and substance. The first half plays out like a Woo gangster piece, characters are introduced, formed and get involved in bloodshed. Then it's on to Vietnam and the film starts to follow a distressing course, before we come full circle and Woo gets his sledgehammer back out to close with a bone crunching thud.
The action is superb, an assault on the eyes and the ears, with the cast providing an energy that's a joy to behold. While the emotional threads that Woo pulls at really are upsetting and hold the attention in a vice like grip. At times visceral and uncompromising, at others tender and panging the heart, it's very much a film operating on more than one front. But with that comes moments of alienation and snatches of incoherence, and that brings on the onset of frustration. The end result being a film that's essential for Honk Kong connoisseurs, but difficult to recommend to first timers looking for a Honk Kong starting point.
Ambitious, lively and emotionally sharp, it however isn't quite a satisfying whole. 7/10
Very Overrated
Iniquitous19 May 2004
I bought this DVD based on a large number of people saying it was one of John Woo's best movies. Having seen The Killer, Hard Boiled, and A Better Tomorrow, I was expecting something spectacular if this movie was going to top them. It not only did not top them, it bears little resemblence to a good movie of any genre. It is very sloppily edited. The cuts are abrupt and the movie is utterly lacking in continuity. Flashback scenes are interspersed throughout in a very haphazard and annoying fashion. It is simply a bad movie. Tony Leung still manages to look cool. Big surprise there.
The theme of this movie is a good one, and, expressed properly, this movie could have had a strong, emotionally charged core. Friends are tested both by hardship and success. That is a common thread through all cultures, but the over-the-top way this movie deals with the topic is laughable.
I rate this movie a 5/10 in it's genre. It was not nearly as entertaining or enjoyable as other John Woo films I've seen.
The theme of this movie is a good one, and, expressed properly, this movie could have had a strong, emotionally charged core. Friends are tested both by hardship and success. That is a common thread through all cultures, but the over-the-top way this movie deals with the topic is laughable.
I rate this movie a 5/10 in it's genre. It was not nearly as entertaining or enjoyable as other John Woo films I've seen.
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