Hard Boiled

It is far too sophisticated and operatic to be dismissed as simply a cheap-thrills, blast-'em blowout. [19 Aug 1994, p.C14]

There’s a moral “quality” to the bloodshed that you won’t find in your average Hollywood action film.

As a director, Woo never hesitates, and the result is exhilarating. [22 Oct 1993, p.G6]

All this would be overkill if it weren’t for the fact that Woo’s use of freeze frame and slow motion serves to make Hard Boiled even more of an art-house action movie than any of its predecessors.

The film's plot may have more holes than one of Tequila's innumerable victims, but when a visual stylist like Woo is at his peak, no one even thinks of caring.[30 Apr 1993, p.F6]

Choreographically stunning like most of Woo’s work, especially before he headed west.

Mr. Woo does, in fact, seem to be a very brisk, talented director with a gift for the flashy effect and the bizarre confrontation.