Full Contact2025-11-14
Toronto, ON
I say this a lot about various things, but I just can’t help but be fascinated that this exists. And I’m certainly glad that it does. It's a grandiose affair in hyper-stylized Hong Kong action cinema. Exactly what I was hoping for in the genre department. But it’s the wildly dramatic character development that’ll stick with me, and the absolutely unhinged approach to everything about it. Homoerotic, misogynistic, and not at all romantic. And it’s the lack of romance that sets it apart from the only other director from the same era I’m familiar with, in John Woo.
Watched on 35mm at the Revue, part of their monthly Neon Dreams programming. I loved hearing about the print itself before the film. The programmers explained that it was brought in from New Jersey, and was actually an English dub, with a title card introducing it as Hard Boiled 2, since it had failed at the box office domestically. Which is hilarious in retrospect. The title card, coupled with the janky translations... what a wild way to experience this thing. Peak grindhouse energy. Great first visit to the Revue. I knew this place would be something special.
Watched on 35mm at the Revue, part of their monthly Neon Dreams programming. I loved hearing about the print itself before the film. The programmers explained that it was brought in from New Jersey, and was actually an English dub, with a title card introducing it as Hard Boiled 2, since it had failed at the box office domestically. Which is hilarious in retrospect. The title card, coupled with the janky translations... what a wild way to experience this thing. Peak grindhouse energy. Great first visit to the Revue. I knew this place would be something special.