(1998)
2
Donald Guarisco
A Hero Never Dies takes the whole "heroic bloodshed" school of Hong Kong action films initiated by John Woo's A Better Tomorrow and pushes the genre to melodramatic heights that even Woo himself might not have dreamed of. The story line is shamelessly manipulative but the proceedings remain compelling thanks to a combination of skillful direction and solid performances. Johnny To's direction presents the familiar action elements with a flamboyant yet carefully controlled style that balances the solemnity at the heart of the story with effective touches of oddball humor. The best example of the film's off-kilter wit is a scene early on where Jack and Martin attempt to disrupt the other man's wine tasting by shattering their wine glasses in a variety of creative ways. The film's style is sealed by colorful photography and a wonderful Raymond Wong score that effectively utilizes the Japanese folk song "Sukiyaki" as its main melodic motif. In terms of acting, Leon Lai is appropriately stoic as the more conventional of the heroes but Lau Ching Wan steals the show with his grizzled turn as Martin: His transition from machismo to devastation to a last-ditch grasp for redemption is every bit as strangely moving as Warren Oates' performance in the similarly surreal Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia. A Hero Never Dies is also unique in that it has strong female supporting characters. Indeed, the sacrifices that Fiona and Yoyo make to save their men are truly unforgettable. Ultimately, A Hero Never Dies is probably a little too over-the-top for the average viewer but it remains a one-of-a-kind action film well worth the time for Hong Kong action enthusiasts.
A Hero Never Dies on AllMovie
A Hero Never Dies (1998)
