One of the best action films ever!!!

Rating: Null/10 (11 August 2011)

Basically, this is a Hollywood version of a hong kong action film. John Woo is a great action film director and he made the classic Hard Boiled with Chow Yun Fatt. With this film, there are all the stylized gun fights that characterizes a John Woo film. Its just amazing. Its like John Travolta said, the way John Woo makes his film, is like a dance. Its not a Die Hard nor is it a Matrix. But i feel it has the best of both. The story is pretty far fetched. Sean Archer played by Travolta, is the cop out for revenge against Castor Troy played by Cage who tried to assassinate him but ended up killing his son instead. Troy is captured after an amazing gun battle. They end up swapping faces and lives. Some of the parts are hard to believe but in the end, its a movie and its not meant to be taken so seriously.
You can expect at least 40 minutes of just pure action scenes. Explosions, gun battles and the likes. One thing i admire about this film is that the action scenes are raw and hardcore yet at the same time smooth and stylish. They took the best from the east and the west put them together. Its like a predecessor to the matrix but without the bullet time. When you actually see how they shoot their guns, their movements, the jumping out shots, its just amazing. There isn't a minute that bores you. The characters are interesting as well. Castor Troy is a flamboyant and ruthless character. Abit like the joker from batman. He's likable as a villain but detestable as well. Sean Archer you can relate to him. He's lost his son and his relationship with his family is deteriorating but he wants to put an end to all this and you're just rooting for him.
Thats the thing about action films. Its not just about the action. You need a good story and good characters. This movie has both and damn good action. That's why i gave it a 9. Just go along for the ride. Pretty ridiculous story but a good one nonetheless.