“The Replacement Killers” a dated, simple but enjoyable action film

By Rafael Abreu / Columnist

Released in 1998, starring Chow Yun-Fat and Mira Sorvino, “The Replacement Killers” is a better-than-it-has-any-right-to-be action film that takes many cues from Hong Kong action films (no doubt, thanks to its Hong Kong-born action star). The film was also one of director Antoine Fuqua’s (“Training Day,” “Shooter,” “Olympus Has Fallen”) first films.

The film begins with a title sequence that oozes late ’90s with electronic-dance music setting the scene at a downtown L.A. club as we follow protagonist John Lee (Chow), who has arrived  to pull off a hit. No doubt alluding to his notorious role as a guy who shoots people, Chow plays a hitman who, after refusing to do a final hit crossing his moral boundaries, is chased by his employer and replacement killers seeking to finish him and the job.

As a result of his actions, he goes to Meg Coburn (Sorvino), known for making up fake passports. However, things don’t go as planned, and Meg is forced to hang around John, for better or worse.

The first thing I noticed in this film, and throughout, is the direction. Fuqua knows exactly what he’s doing and does it with style and technical elegance. Fight scenes aren’t hard to follow and there are many sweeping shots (especially over cityscapes) that are absolutely fantastic. Most scenery and locale shots are well-done and, as mentioned, so are the action scenes.

The performances by the actors are good, too, though nothing I would yell praise at. Chow Yun-Fat, as always, is great, like Mira Sorvino, an actress hugely famous in the ’90s. While the film is blatantly dated–from the way it looks to the things people use (like Meg’s $3000 computer)–this doesn’t detract from the film. Like a ’70s police thriller, you just know it’s the style of an era.

The one real problem I have with this film, is that it’s not very exciting. Sure, there are gunfights, and, to the film’s credit, there’s absolutely no filler. The problem lies in its script, which felt like nothing special, at least, if not for the direction, which brings about excellent visuals and style.

“The Replacement Killers” is nothing great, but by no means anything bad. For an action film, it satisfies in its rather unique style, characters, and soundtrack. It’s held back by an unimpressive script with a story basic enough to keep the film moving, but is enjoyable and different enough to recommend.

 

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