lordburn591

Windtalkers isn't a bad film, but even though I love war movies and explosions, John Woo's latest action movie perhaps crosses the line from cool explosions and amazing death sequences to having a fetish for explosions and death. I know it's intregal to the story to show the brutality of war, but with sequences lasting upwards of 30 minutes apiece it's a bit tiring. In Saving Private Ryan, Spielberg spaced out the encounters so that the story would be given ample time to develop and so that viewers wouldn't be overwhelmed. Mr. Woo does no such thing, and when the killing starts, it doesn't stop until the credits. Not that there was much of a story to begin with, but I do admire the director's choice to at least base this film in historical events. There really is so much more that could have been done, but even with solid acting and cgi, nothing can really save this orgy of gratuitous violence. Take my score of 4 out of 10 to heart before viewing.

Now keep in mind that I only gave this movie a 2 (out of possible 10), but Cobra vs Ninja is an experience, not a film. There are few better conversation pieces than the opening sequence of this movie, with two obvious white guys in neon pajamas (one looks like classic Hulk Hogan) screaming and running at each other, tiny swords drawn. The truth is that nothing says ninja like a yellow and red headband with NINJA stylishly written across it. (Little picture of a ninja action pose and all.) This movie probably kicked off realultimatepower.com with ninjas flipping out and slicing people to ribbons. Do yourself a favor and watch the first fifteen minutes of this movie with friends. You'll talk about it for years.

Sorry Donnie, but this is a rather feeble attempt to one up John Woo in the action/shooter genre. While not a terrible film, I have to say that Ballistic Kiss fails to live up to the promise of great gun or hand to hand fight scenes. With a villain that would make Dirty Harry envious (Seven bullets in a six shooter? Ha, Try thirty seven!), and a camera so kinetic that it renders the 1 1/2 fight scenes nearly unwatchable, it's hard to find a lot to like about this. It's so sad, since I watched both The New Fist of Fury and this after seeing Iron Monkey. Go back to Yuen Woo Ping, Donnie. For the sake of all of us.