Rating: ****
Release Date: 3/12/99
Cast: Chow Yun-Fat, Mark Wahlberg, Byron Mann
An excellent film in every regard. Chow Yun-Fat's second American film gives him a much greater opportunity to show audiences what he's got, and man, does he got it. Mark Wahlberg also delivers a strong performance, and the chemistry between the two seems genuine. Did I mention that he has a killer ass? Well, he does. It's also nice to see "Crying Freeman" (1995) actor Byron Mann show up as a bad-ass Chinatown punk. A dark and gritty look at the decadent underground of New York Chinatown that's highlighted by some outstanding hardcore action pieces. The action, while being highly kinetic and over-the-top, is blended with a harsh realism that nicely complements the rest of the film. A good combination of Eastern and Western filmmaking styles. It's definitely violent, but highly recommended to anyone who's an action film fan.