Contract Killer (1998)
Review by Doc Ezra
Film:
DVD:

Written by Chan Heng Ka, Vincent Kok, and Cheng Kem Fa
Directed by Tung Wai
Starring Jet Li, Eric Tsang, Simon Yam, and Gigi Leung

Special Features:

• Trailers
  
• Director and cast filmographies
  
• Photo gallery
  

Rating: R

Anamorphic: Yes

My advice: Rent it.

At the open of Contract Killer, someone has assassinated the head of a powerful Yakuza family, and in retaliation, his family has put a price on the head of the unknown assailant. Whoever can bring forth evidence of the culprit’s guilt, along with the culprit’s head, will receive a fantastic sum of money and the undying gratitude of a powerful Japanese underworld organization.

Into this situation enters a whole host of wannabe hitmen, determined to make their mark and their fortune by whacking whatever fool was responsible for the murder. Jet Li is an aspiring trigger-man, but hasn’t had much luck finding work. His roommates insist he needs a better agent. I know, I know: agents for hitmen? Don’t ask. Just go with it.

He finally finds an eager talent scout/con man (Tsang), who lines him up to find the killer. With dozens of killers closing in on the murderer, Li must fight for his own life while trying to take another. The result is lots and lots of fighting, some quality gunplay, and the obligatory star-crossed romance.

The story is perhaps a bit stock, with an obligatory “surprise” ending that isn’t all that surprising, but that’s not really the point when you pick up a Jet Li film. The action comes fast and furious, with some excellent fight choreography showcasing Li’s actual skills, as opposed to how well he handles himself in a wire-fu harness, so that’s nice. The only real problem with the film is that it is essentially trying too hard to be a John Woo flick — something that would have starred Chow Yun Fat.

To be fair, the movie acknowledges the influence quite readily (particularly in an amusing scene in which Li’s “agent” is trying to buy him a higher-class outfit, trying a number of looks including a direct nod at Fat’s get-up in Hard-Boiled). But there are places where it seems to be trying too hard to outdo the original, juxtaposed with other places where it can’t seem to escape the shadow of Woo’s classics. While trying to be a blend the classic with a new star, it fails to be either a great homage or a new classic.

The film is still plenty entertaining for fans of Hong Kong action. Li manages the somewhat naive newcomer to the underworld very well, and his agent serves as a nice comedic counterpoint. Fight sequences are well-choreographed, and it’s a refreshing change to see Li flex his real-world skills, instead of relying on wires and camera tricks to do the impossible in his wuxia efforts.

Extras are fairly minimal, but as this isn’t one of Li’s signature efforts, so that’s not surprising. Contract Killer makes for a great action rental, but only real Li fans are likely to want to keep it. It won’t supplant Hard Boiled, but it doesn’t do the original a disservice, either.