8/10
John Woo did shed some tears
18 August 2021
I am assuming, but having been told the backstory of the making of the movie ... and the remaking of it too in a way, I can only imagine. Also he allegedly does not like to talk about this movie. And again given the way this was treated it is kind of understandable. In a time where people demand different/director cuts of movies they like, this would be one to look out for. Especially since there seems to be a source with a cut that seems to be way closer to what Woo delivered back then, than the movie we get served here.

And still as you can see I was more than entertained by it. Yes there were weird moments (and nudity, which almost threw me off, just because I am not used to see any in Woo movies), but the action as silly as it sometimes seems (bad guys lining up to be shot at) is really powerful.

Wonderful extra on the disc I got showed the differences between the "Heroes" cut (as they called it) and the "Warrior" cut from South Korea - the latter being the one closer to Woos vision ... but not in a good quality at all.

The one thing that is amazing here, where I believe no one can disagree with: the kid! That actor really was very well cast - or they had tremendous luck. Whatever the case, it is amazing to see him go at it and he is the heart and cornerstone of the movie. Not an easy task considering kids mostly have not much to do in war movies like this ... but he is scene stealing to say the least. Fake blood has aged badly, but all the other effects are still decent. Watch at your own peril and don't be surprised if this does not meet your Woo standards (if you have some)
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