Hard Boiled

A pioneer of the action genre, with amazing camera and editing work, revolutionary shooting sequences, long shots without cuts, breathtaking stunt work. Before all the modern Hunts, Bonds, Bournes, and Wicks, there was a detective with a cigarette in his mouth and two guns on his belt who set the direction for what action films would look like decades later. (02/13/2005)

Had I seen this film at the time of its release, I would have gone higher with the rating for sure. Today, however, the film doesn't offer much anymore, the competition is really strong! There is not much of a story to speak of, at least there's a decent portion of action that is very brutal, clear and very innovative for the 90's. Today only 75%. (06/21/2014)

Neat action and cool lines. Both John Woo and Chow Yun-Fat are on their best form here. Technically almost perfect action scenes, ingenious and still surprises after all these years. I’m telling you, this movie suited me down to the ground. Tequila’s apt remarks were really to my taste. A classic that I plan on watching again soon. (01/25/2014)

Hard Boiled is a perfectionistic work that overshadows all other action movies. It is perhaps impossible for a film that is so long and packed with shootouts not to come across as over-the-top and spasmodic and not become boring after some time. But this one does the exact opposite. The last half hour is proof that John Woo is not from this planet. (11/10/2003)

It's excellent, maybe the best of all the movies that John Woo and Chow Yun-Fat have collaborated on, but I can't help but feel like when you see one of their filmographies, it's like seeing almost all of them. The action scenes are absolutely breathtaking, you really feel like human bodies are being torn apart. Especially towards the end, it's a violent orgy. However, it's not a film that would make me have an orgasm. The action choreography is great, but I might have expected a little more from it. (02/13/2014)