Once a Thief

To tell you the truth I don't know why I gave this movie 4/10 ... I really don't, I shouldn't have rated this so high ... but I think I gave this TV movie more credit than it deserved (imo), just because I didn't want to rate a John Woo movie too bad! And although sometimes this movie has some good scenes, it is always apparent that it's made to start a TV show/series ...

It's a shame, because this is a remake of a quite good (not excellent, but still good) HK action movie, that Woo made himself. You can check that out under "movie connections" on the (currently) left bar side of this site.

The actors are not up to much and it's only the few good action scenes and some pieces of the original story/movie that do convince ... Not recommendable!

Fun remake from John Woo of his own 1990 Hong Kong movie with the same name. In this Canadian TV version, the critically acclaimed filmmaker shows his flair and trickery as an action director. He lifts an otherwise clichéd plot through solid craftsmanship and a little dose of irony. Still, the film is dragged down by typical 1990s TV production levels in both the acting and production design departments.

This is John Woo made for television--that should tell you everything. Those looking for head-spinning, high-tech shootouts that "The Killer" and "Hard-Boiled" made him famous for will be disappointed. Those looking for any kind of perverse twists of plot, such as those which were plentiful in "Face/Off" will demand their money back.

If there were anyone else sitting in the director's chair, I'd say "Not bad." But it's John Woo, and I expected better.

You have been warned.

This is the best double episode of Once a Thief. Nick Lea is the best of the cast and his performance is very good. The talent of Ivan Sergei and Sandrine Holt is undeniable and the story is very interesting.

I think that all fans of John Woo must see this episode.

What can I say, I love this TV movie! It combines a wonderful mix of Action and Humour, the acting is top class and it is directed by an action legend JOHN WOO!!! If you like being entertained and trilled then please, for your sake, watch this movie and perhaps the series that followed it if you can, superb stuff!!!!! As the tagline says: The Art Of Action!